Ohio History Journal

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THE COPUS BATTLE CENTENNIAL

THE COPUS BATTLE CENTENNIAL

 

 

BY REV. EUGENE ELLIS WILLIAMS.

Sept. 15, 1912, the day of the centennial of the Copus Battle

was a very gloomy day, with rain from early morning until

evening. But despite the inclement weather about 1,000 people

gathered in Milligan's grove, near the Copus monument situated

near Mifflin, ten miles east of Mansfield.

At 11 o'clock Prof. G. F. Wright, of Oberlin, called the meet-

ing to order and after singing America, Rev. Eugene E. Williams

offered prayer. Prof. Wright then gave an address regarding the

geology and early history of the country near which the battle

was fought. Hon. W. S. Kerr, of Mansfield, then gave an inter-

esting historical address in which he showed the honor that

belonged to the early settlers and especially those who fell dur-

ing the Indian massacres. Mr. P. C. Cowen, of Perrysville,

read an historical paper recounting the names and deeds of the

pioneers of the immediate community.

After the addresses a sumptuous basket dinner was eaten

by those present. The rain still persisted in a steady down-

pour, the crowd began to disperse and the exercises of the day

came to an end. Had the weather been favorable there would,

no doubt, have been 12 to 15 thousand people present, because

extensive preparations had been made by people for miles

around.

The publicity that the Centennial gave to matters of local

history was of great value in getting before the people the value

of preserving these historical events and landmarks. It also

brought the Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society

before the people in a favorable manner. Prof. Wright, our

president, won interest in the society.

The local committee, Mr. A. J. Baughman and Rev. Eugene

E. Williams, both life members of the Society, had arranged an

excellent program and had spent considerable time and effort in

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