Col. Higgins Memorial
September 7, 1922 Col. Higgins Memorial Is Unveiled
Sunday Morning by His Grandson, Thomas William Oyer
Is Gift of Col. Enderlin
Who Was Drummer Boy in Company B., 73rd Regiment of
Chillicothe, Delivered Impressive Address
Col. Enderlin Also Made Address
The story of an attachment and life-long friendship between a “Drummer Boy” and his Captain formed in Camp and on the battlefield, and comparable to that of any rendered famous in the annals of Scripture or History is forever perpetuated by the massive granite monument erected in the Waverly Cemetery to the memory of the late Lieutenant Colonel Thomas W. Higgins, by Colonel Richard Enderlin, of Chillicothe and unveiled with appropriate and impressive ceremonies in the presence of surviving veterans of the Civil War and a large assemblage of citizens on Monday morning, September 4th, 1922.
When the citizens of Waverly learned of Colonel Enderlin’s purpose to thus honor
the memory of his brave Commander and their distinguished former fellow citizen they insisted that the occasion of its erection be publicly recognized with suitable ceremonies that the spirit of patriotism and friendship prompting the action should be made known to the community. Securing the consent of the donor, a committee of local citizens of which William F. Taylor, Cashier of the First National Bank, was made chairman, was formed and in consultation with Colonel Enderlin perfected all arrangements. Merritt Post of the American Legion through a committee composed of Howard Middleton, Sergeant John Harkins and David A. Breinig, entered heartily into the arrangements and contributed materially to the success of the occasion.
With this splendid co-operation a scene enacted and ceremony carried but in the Waverly Cemetery which stirred the hearts and emotions of the vast company called forth by this unusual event and circumstance.
The stirring martial music of a Chillicothe drum corps composed of Albert Watson, Serick Gray and J. M. Scott assembled the populace at Central Park from whence they repaired to the cemetery and scene of the morning program and exercise.
The Higgins Family Plot on the center of which stood the monument covered with a great American Flag was enclosed by ropes, on the driveway paralleling the plot a large truck decorated with flags and bunting and seated with chairs formed an improvised speaker stand while a number of chairs placed in the welcome shade of protecting trees provided seats of vantage for veterans and the wives and widows of veterans and other distinguished guests.
Hon. S. D. McLaughlin of Waverly, acted as Master of Ceremonies and presented those who had a part in the program. After a few introductory remarks Mr. McLaughlin announced that the monument would be unveiled by Thomas William Oyer, a grandson and namesake of Colonel Higgins. As the folds of the flag were removed there shone resplendent in the bright morning sunlight a beautiful four piece, three and one-half ton highly polished Wisconsin Red Ruby Granite monument. The top pf the stone bears the following inscription:
1825 “Thomas W. Higgins” 1906
September 7, 1922
Waverly Newspaper
Copyright © 2003
Pike Co. Genealogy Society a Chapter of O.G.S.
P. O. Box 224, Waverly, Ohio 45690