Edwards - William - CW - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Marble Stones to Mark their Resting Places Received

In March, 1881, Chas. M. Travis was appointed by McPherson Post No 7 GAR to secure from the government headstones for unmarked soldiers’ graves. After much advertising and correspondence he received from the relatives of some of the deceased soldiers enough information to enable him to make an application for a few stones which were received in April 1883.  A part of these were for Crawfordsville, the rest for Linden, Waveland, Darlington and New Market. After these stones were received it was discovered by McPherson Post that the relatives and near friends of the deceased soldiers took but little if any interest in the matter. In some instances it was difficult to find anyone with enough “loving kindness’ for the dead soldiers to take the headstone for free of charge, and set them at the graves. The Post concluded to take matter in hand and Mr. Travis continued on the duty. He gathered form the committees which were sent out on Memorial Day to decorate the graves and from other sources, the names, company and regiment of 60 deceased soldiers whose graves were not properly marked and requisition was made for the headstones about two years ago. Owing to there being a lack of appropriation the stones could not be made and shipped until now. At the meeting of McPherson Post last Saturday night Mr. Travis reported the receipt of the 60 headstones which were shipped by the government from Lee, Mass, Nov 23, ult. Messrs. McDaniel, Ensminger and Travis were appointed a committee to see that the stones for the graves in and about the city were properly erected, at the expense of the Post. It is not expected that this committee will attend to setting up the stones at graves away from the city. The relatives and friends and comrads outside the city must look after these. The following is a list of stones received from graves away from the city.