Ohio History Journal

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THE MACGAHAN MONUMENT

THE MACGAHAN MONUMENT.

 

 

A DEDICATION AT NEW LEXINGTON.

[MacGahan was preparing to attend and write up the International

Congress at Berlin, when, declining to abandon a sick friend at Con-

stantinople, he was himself attacked with the malignant fever that had

prostrated his friend, and died after a few days' illness, June 9, 1878.

In the year 1884, his remains at Constantinople were disinterred and

brought by the United States steamer "Powhatan" to this country. In

New York city the remains lay in state for a day in the city hall, where

thousands paid tribute to the honored dead. The remains were sub-

sequently brought to Columbus, Ohio, where again for a day they lay

in state in the rotunda of the Capitol building. His funeral was held

September 12, 1884, at New Lexington, Ohio. The religious exercises

were conducted at St. Rose Church by Bishop John A. Watterson,

who delivered an eloquent address upon the "Power and Responsibility of

the Newspaper Press."

The body was borne to the grave, in the little cemetery just outside

of the village, attended by thousands of interested spectators and some

sixty distinguished journalists, representing all parts of the state. At

the grave, after military honors and the usual religious rites, a eulogy

on the life and character of J. A. MacGahan was pronounced by E. S.

Colborn, a poem was read by Col. William A. Taylor and an address

delivered by Hon. Silas H. Wright, on "The Office of a Newspaper

Correspondent." - EDITOR.]

 

At New Lexington, Perry County, on Monday, July 4, 1911,

a monument was unveiled with imposing and interesting cere-

monies to the memory of Januarius A. MacGahan, whose body

lies buried at the spot marked by the monument. Besides being the

day of the National Independence, it was the first day of sev-

eral which were set aside by the good people of New Lexington,

as a home coming celebration of former residents of Perry

County. It was known as Old Home Week, and began on the

previous Saturday, July 2nd. The City was gaily decorated

with flags and banners and hundreds of the former residents of

Perry county gathered from the most distant parts of the country.

For several days prior to the opening day the townspeople of

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