By Virginia Boyd Glenn
Guest Commentary
March 9, 2010
 The Civil War Monument at Mooretown-
Being raised in a military family gave my brothers and I the opportunity to travel over much of this wonderful country of ours. Over and across we went from East to West. Thru all of our travels we saw many amazing sights, from the rivers and the oceans, the mountains and the National Parks and of course miles and miles of farmlands.
Of all the places we lived, visited and traveled to, we always called Bergholz, Ohio on Yellow Creek home. Sometimes we would be here for a few days or weeks or a month on vacation. Once in a while we would have a whole year while Dad was doing a tour of duty overseas. Whether it was a few days or an extended stay we always found lots of exciting places to explore and fun things to occupy us. Never before and certainly not since have children been so free to run and roam, going from one adventure to the next.
One of our favorite spots to romp and play was the Civil War Monument at Mooretown on Yellow Creek. Pretending we were knights in shining armor up the steps we would climb, (which by the way are the fire escape steps from the old Bergholz School ), slaying dragons as we rescued the princess in the castle. The monument was our castle tower, round and round the base we would go wielding our wooden stick swords, fighting the imaginary foes. We would fire off the cannon as salute of victory, then race to Yellow Creek, which was our moat, and cross the steel girders of our drawbridge. Tiring of knights and dragons we would play cowboys and Indians or cops and robbers. We even took turns at being President Abraham Lincoln and fought many of our own Civil War battles. With “Old Abe” as our Commander in Chief we believed we fought as valiantly as those Civil War veterans who gave their lives for the cause. We saluted each name, carved in the sandstone hewn from the valley of the land which they had fought so bravely to defend and preserve.
The monument was commissioned by Robert and Martha McClauhlin George who lost their son, Thomas, on Oct. 8, 1862. Thomas was killed at Perryville, Kentucky. Thomas’s name leads the list of many of our ancestors whose names are inscribed on the Western face of the monument. Just as those local boys fought so hard and gave the supreme sacrifice, now it is time for us to step up and do our share. The monument stands sentinel over this Yellow Creek valley as a reminder to us all of our veterans everywhere who fought and still fight for freedom for all, not just here on our native soil, but everywhere. The monument itself is in need of some tender loving care, as is the cannon that stands in salute of it. The access road needs extensive work as do the access steps from County Road 53.
Mooretown Restoration Committee has been formed, inviting all to come and be committee members and joining in this worthy cause. History buffs, local historians or anyone who just loves this area and Yellow Creek as much as we do are invited to help. Our first organizational meeting was held on January 25, 2010 and was very well attended. Our plans for fundraising were discussed and the beginnings of our work strategy were formulated. Our next meeting is on Feb.22 at 7:30 P.M. We have had an amazing amount of interest in this project from all over the country; everyone is excited to see this wonderful local attraction receive the care it so badly needs and deserves.
Many people remember climbing the steps and reading the names, some could even remember the inscription and the military insignia carved on the western face of the 21-foot high Doric column.
The kick off for our fundraiser was a generous donation from Salem Township Trustee Terry Bell. We have received several other pledges for donations, including those we consider to be the George Family matriarchs, Annamarie McClain Crim and Donna George Dunning. The Curt and Virginia Boyd Glenn family has pledged a portion of the proceeds of a recently reprinted edition of “Doc” R.W. Schilling’s TALES AND STORIES OF YELLOW CREEK.
The amazing response to these books being available shows us that there is a wide and strong interest in this area and its’ history. These stories are our own history. Each generation can look back and see its’ own ancestry and heritage in the making. The Glenn family is also working on the next book, YELLOW CREEK, THE NEXT GENERATIONS; UP THE HOLLOWS AND OVER THE RIDGES. It is a work in progress. We are asking you to send us your family information and history, (stories, articles, pictures, deeds, wills, etc). Send permission to print and we will include your story, with our full acknowledgement for your contribution to the book.
Send donations for the Civil War Monument to:
Mooretown Restoration Fund
C/O Dessie Wade Pethel
128 Twp Rd. 286
Richmond , Ohio 43944
To order a copy of TALES AND STORIES OF YELLOW CREEK; get on the list for the next book or send your family information:
Curt and Virginia Boyd Glenn
5985 CR 54
Irondale , Ohio 43932
For more information about Mooretown Restoration Committee contact:
Ross Twp. Trustees:
Charles Henry: 740 544 5132
Dave Ramsey: 740 765 5100
Phil Jordan Sr. 740 543 3567
Commmitte Chairperson: Virginia Boyd Glenn 740 768 2365 |
