Ohio History Journal

432       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

the coincidence that Spiegel Grove, which by dedication be-

comes the property of the State, to be preserved as a Park per-

petuating the memory of President Hayes, also in some degree

perpetuates the name of William Henry Harrison, the first Ohio

President.

Through these grounds may still be traced the trail over

which General Harrison led his army in 1813 to the decisive vic-

tories on land which preceded and followed that of Perry on

Lake Erie; while an impressive gateway to the Grove does due

honor to this distinguished citizen of the State and to his brave

and noble army.

The event which we now celebrate in the completion of this

beautiful building and in setting it apart with its invaluable

library and its marvelous collection of historical relics, together

with the opening of Spiegel Grove as a public park, may well

arouse the patriotism of the whole nation. Long before the army

of 1813 passed through these grounds, the aboriginal inhabitants

of America had been in the habit of threading their way under

its majestic trees on the trail leading from the Great Lakes to

the Ohio River. Almost in sight of where we now stand, also, is

the monument to Major Croghan and his gallant band who a

short time before Perry's Victory, defended Fort Stephenson

against an overwhelming force of British and Indians, and com-

pelled General Proctor to withdraw, thus saving Ohio from in-

vasion.

It is an interesting coincidence that this center of historic

interest was in early life chosen as his residence by Rutherford

Birchard Hayes, who by his preeminent qualities, both military

and civil, rose to the highest position which a citizen of the

United States may hope to attain. Of the deeds of this most dis-

tinguished citizen of Fremont the orator of the day will speak.

It remains for me only to give a brief history of Spiegel Grove

and the building which we now dedicate.

When about the middle of the last century, Spiegel Grove

was chosen for the Hayes' family residence it was completely

covered with a primeval forest. A space in the center, sufficient

to let in sunlight and to afford a beautiful and spacious lawn,

was cleared, and the future home erected upon it. In later years

Dedication of the Hayes Memorial.       433

additions were made until it assumed its present stately propor-

tions. The original Grove consists of about twenty-five acres,

all within the two square miles of the old Indian Free City,

deeded to the United States in 1786 by treaty, and now known as

Fremont. Through the generosity, filial devotion and public spirit

of a son, Colonel Webb C. Hayes, who had come into possession

of the property, the whole tract was offered to the State as a

public park in memory of his parents. His deed simply required

its maintenance as a State park and:

"That the Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society

should secure the erection upon that part of Spiegel Grove here-

tofore conveyed to the State of Ohio for a State Park, a suitable

fireproof building, on the site reserved opposite the Jefferson

Street entrance, for the purpose of preserving and forever keep-

ing in Spiegel Grove all papers, books and manuscripts left by

the said Rutherford B. Hayes *  * *   which building shall be

in the form of a Branch Reference Library and Museum of the

Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society, and the con-

struction and decoration of the said building shall be in the

nature of a memorial also to the soldiers, sailors, and pioneers of

Sandusky County; and suitable memorial tablets, busts and dec-

orations indicative of the historical events and patriotic citizen-

ship of Sandusky County shall be placed in and on said building,

and said building shall forever remain open to the public under

proper rules and regulations to be hereafter made by said

Society."

The Legislature of Ohio generously appropriated $50,000.

Of this, $40,000 was used toward the building and $10,000 was

for paving the streets surrounding Spiegel Grove. Impressive

entrances to the grounds, through gateways bordered with mas-

sive walls of granite boulders, were constructed by Colonel Hayes.

Two of these gateways are between immense cannon erected on

end and inscribed, in the one case to the memory of the French

and British Explorers, and the Soldiers of the War of 1812 who

passed over the Harrison Trail; and in the other to the soldiers

of Sandusky County who served in the War with Mexico and the

War for the Union. The bodies of President and Mrs. Hayes

were transferred to the beautiful knoll in the Grove, together with

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434      Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

the modest monument which President Hayes before his death

had erected, in Oakwood Cemetery, of Vermont granite, from

the quarries near his father's birthplace. Colonel Hayes has

expended in increasing the attractions of the Grove and the

buildings in it, together with its endowment, about $100,000 in

cash. This with adjoining real estate and the value of the Hayes

Memorial Library represents by fair valuation a quarter of a

million dollars, which becomes the property of the State, en-

trusted to the care of the Ohio State Archaeological and Historical

Society.

As pilgrims come to this sacred spot from far and near they

cannot fail to be impressed with the importance of the historical

events which are here commemorated, and with the debt which

we owe to the heroic men who did so much here both to obtain

and to preserve the liberties of our country. With Major

Croghan in the nearby Fort Stephenson Park they will, in im-

agination, await the psychological moment when the order comes

to let loose the charge from "Old Betsy" that was to destroy the

British forces that were making their final assault. With eager

steps they will march with General Harrison and his army,

through the southern gateway, along the old Indian trail, as he

hastens from his headquarters at Fort Seneca to embark, at the

portage of Port Clinton, upon Perry's victorious ships, to be

landed in Canada for the triumphant victory of the Thames.

Through the western gateway, they will be thrilled by the thought

of the heroes that from this county fell in the Mexican War and

in the War for the Union, and by the memory of General Mc-

Pherson, the highest in rank and command to fall upon the field

of battle in the War for the Union. At the grave of President

Hayes and in this memorial building a flood of memories will

come as they recall his gallantry on the field of battle, his wise

administration of the government of his native State, and of the

transcendent service which he rendered in the face of violent

opposition and abuse as president of the United States to restore

that loyalty and good feeling which we now witness in such full

degree between the warring sections of fifty years ago. All these

are monuments to remind us of the extreme and unselfish devo-

tion of private interests to the public good which are shown only

Dedication of the Hayes Memorial.         435

by soldiers and statesmen of the highest rank. Here may we

come in increasing numbers to devote ourselves anew to the ser-

vice of our country and our common humanity.

President Wright then introduced the Rev. J. C. Roberts,

pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, of Fremont,

who delivered this invocation:

"Our Heavenly Father we praise Thee for all the things that

tell us of Thy presence in the earth. We thank Thee for this

day. The day when we remember those who have made possible

the spirit of this hour. This day when we carry the flowers Thou

hast made and reverently lay them on the graves of the men who

died that the nation might live.

We praise Thee for the life of the Republic. Thou hast led

us thus far, and we believe Thou wilt lead us to the end of the

journey. We would not be unmindful of the lives of all great

national leaders. We are especially grateful this day for the

life and service of our own Rutherford Birchard Hayes. The

simplicity, consistency, fidelity and devotion of his life appeal to

every American. May the mantle of his patriotism fall on every

one here assembled.

We must ever praise Thee for the noble life of our very

own Lucy Webb Hayes, first lady of the land, as noble as the

President. More than any other woman in America she has lifted

the stainless white banner of devoted motherhood, faithful wife-

hood, pure social life, and unswerving fidelity to the noblest ideals

of Christian womanhood. She has lifted every woman to higher

ideals. The memory of her faultless life leaves a halo on the

brow of womanhood.

We thank Thee today for the generosity of Colonel Webb

C. Hayes, the honored son of our first citizen. For his noble

and most generous wife, who has joined him in making possible

this hour. The benefits of their united giving will bless not only

the nation and the State, but every citizen of Fremont for all the

years. Bless, we pray Thee today, the rich gifts that have been

laid by these hands on the altar of the State, and in the trembling

hand of the sick and suffering of humanity. May the hand of

the world's Savior rest in blessing on the filial and patriotic

devotions of material values.

Dedication of the Haves Memorial.      437

Bless, we pray, the Republic of which we are a part. Be

with all who are in places of leadership. Guide the Nation

through all dangers to a safe harbor. Help us to become to all

nations the truest expression of the divine program for human

government.

We ask all in the name of Jesus Christ who has given us

the ideals upon which all lasting human civilizations must stand.

Amen."

"The Star Spangled Banner" was then sung by the Col.

George Croghan Chapter, D. A. R., and the Fremont Church

Choirs (who were seated on a specially constructed platform to

the right of the speakers' stand), and led by Prof. Alfred Arthur,

leader of the 23d Regiment Band; accompanied by the Woodman

Band.

President Wright then introduced his Honor, Mayor George

Kinney, of Fremont, who gave the following address of welcome:

ADDRESS OF MAYOR GEORGE W. KINNEY.

Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Ohio State

Archaeological and Historical Society, through and by whose

grand achievements and devotion to duty we are able to dedicate

this magnificent memorial- this historic mansion - this match-

less grove-this place of beauty-to the sacred memory of

Rutherford B. Hayes, I bid you welcome.

To all you aged soldiers of the War for the Union who were

his allies in war and his comrades in peace, who come here to

evidence your love and devotion to your old commander, I bid

you welcome.

To all you honorable gentlemen, representatives of this great

nation and state who honor us by your presence in this dedicatory

service to the memory of one of the noblest of America's great

men, I bid you welcome.

To all other organizations and associations, and especially the

Odd Fellows, of which he was an active and devoted member for

fifty years -some of you have known him all these years, yet

none knew him but to love, and none named him but to praise, and

any and all of you come to express your love, respect and ad-

miration for your townsman and your friend, I bid you welcome.