Ohio History Journal

DEDICATION OF MEMORIAL TO GENERAL

GEORGE ARMSTRONG CUSTER

On June 22, 1932, in the presence of a very large

representative and orderly assembly of people the statue

of George Armstrong Custer was unveiled with appro-

priate ceremonies. This celebration occurred too late to

give an adequate account in the July issue of the QUAR-

TERLY. A full account will be given in the October

issue. The excellent program was carried out in every

detail.

Hon. Earl Lewis, State Senator, 20-22nd District,

St. Clairsville, Ohio, presided. Hon. Frank Murphy,

Congressman of the 18th District, because of recent ill-

ness and pressing duties at Washington could not be

present to introduce numerous guests but this duty was

most acceptably performed by the Chairman, Senator

Lewis. Hon. O. C. Gray, Ex-speaker of the House of

Representatives, formerly from Harrison County, but at

present residing in Ironton, Ohio, made a brief address.

Mr. Gray is the author of the bill that provided for the

memorial. The presentation of a flag was made by the

Mrs. Elizabeth B. Custer Tent, Daughters of Veterans

of Cadiz, Ohio. Mrs. May Custer Elmer, favorite niece

of General Custer, of Brooklyn, New York, unveiled the

monument. Rev. Dennis W. Foreman, Pastor of the

United Brethren Church of New Rumley, pronounced

the invocation and Rev. Charles Gilmore, D. D., Pastor

of the United Presbyterian Church, Cadiz, Ohio, the

benediction. Excellent music was discoursed by the

(524)

• 1
 

Memorial to General George Armstrong Custer  525 Tenth Infantry Band of Fort Thomas, Kentucky, and a quartet from Cadiz Post 34 American Legion. About a score of Civil War Veterans on the speaker's stand

formed a colorful and appropriate feature of the occa- sion. A detachment of state troops, detailed by Adju- tant General Frank D. Henderson, American Legion- aires and Boy Scouts successfully ushered the thousands in attendance. There was not a single accident.

• 2
 

526      Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

An excellent address was delivered by Honorable

Ralph D. Cole, the well-known orator and ex-Congress-

man of Findlay, Ohio. Many who had heard him be-

fore thought that he surpassed himself in his address

on this occasion.

Governor George White greatly pleased the thou-

sands in the vast audience by his presence and his tribute

to General Custer. The Governor did not permit a na-

tional convention in which he had the unanimous sup-

port of the delegation from his own state for the Presi-

dency to excuse him from participation in this patriotic

function.

The addresses of Colonel Cole and Governor White

will be published in full in the October QUARTERLY with

the other very interesting proceedings of the memorial

services.

• 3