Source:
History of Belpre, Washington Co., Ohio
By C. E. Dickinson, D. D.
Formerly Pastor of Congregational Church
Author of the History of First Congregational Church
Marietta, Ohio
Published for the Author by
Globe Printing & Binding Company
Parkersburg, West Virginia
1920

CHAPTER XVII -

RELIGIOUS HISTORY
Page 178

     THE first settlers in Belpre were nearly all from New England and most of the men were Revolutionary soldiers.  The original settlers in New England were puritans, who not only fully believed the verities of Christianity but made their religion the rule of their conduct in every day life.  Many changes in this respect were wrought during the colonial period.  There were many important duties which claimed immediate and earnest attention; among these were the building of homes, preparing the soil for cultivation, establishing new settlements, guarding against Indian attacks, and the founding of civic, social, and educational institutions.  Such important matters tended to turn the thoughts of many away from the practical duties of religion.  There were also the French and Indian Wars during the later years of the seventeenth and the first half of the eighteenth centuries which exposed many of the young men to the demoralizations of army life.  Many of the religious writers of that period very sadly deplored the changes, specially among young men, through these causes.
     The vicisitudes of army lime during the Revolutionary period, the absence from home and from church privileges, and the association of our officers with the French had also reduced the number of church members among our officers and soldiers.
     Several of the pioneers who made their home in Belpre were decidedly christian men who were governed by the puritan principles of their ancestors.  Although a majority were not church members all had positive religious convictions and favored the establishment of churches and religious institutions.
     In their plans for the first settlement the Ohio Company arranged for the employment of a religious teacher.  Among the first settlers in Belpre Colonel Ebenezer Battelle,

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Captain Benjamin Miles and Colonel Israel Putnam were mentioned as specially interested in the establishment of religious institutions.  In March, 1789, about the time the first settlers commenced to prepare their log cabins in Belpre.  Rev. Daniel Story arrived at Marietta as a religious teacher provided by the Ohio Company and for a number of years he ministered alternately in the different settlements, visiting Belpre once in five weeks, though these visits were sometimes omitted during the Indian War.
     As soon as Colonel Ebenezer Battelle had completed his Blockhouse religious services were commenced in Belpre in one of his rooms, and when Mr. Story was not present the services were conducted by Colonel Battelle who usually read a sermon from some eminent divine.
     The uncertainty respecting the future of the Colony occasioned by the Indian War caused a delay of several years in the organization of a church and the First Church of Marietta was not organized until Dec. 6, 1796; this church embraced members in four settlements and a Deacon was chosen for each of these localities, namely.  Marietta, Belpre, Waterford, and Vienna, Virginia, This officer for Belpre was Captain Benjamin Miles who held the office until the time of his death in 1817.  As early as 1801 an Ecclesiastical Society was organized in Belpre to which was given charge of religious affairs, and during this or the following year a log meeting-house was erected on the bluff a little above the old cemetery, the site of this building and also a part of the cemetery have been carried away by the river.
     In Williams History of Washington County we find the following record.  "At a business meeting of the Religious Society held March 1st, 1802 it was resolved that the Society meet every Sabbath at ten o'clock and that the preachers perform forenoon and afternoon service with one hour's intermission and that persons be appointed to read the sermons and prayers, also that the singers be earnestly invited to attend; also that a contribution be taken on the first Sabbath of each month to enable us to pay for regular preaching."  A little earlier at a meeting of the Society, "Perley Howe, Judge Foster, and William Browning were appointed a committee to collect subscriptions and to appropriate the amount towards the building of a school or

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meeting-house on the Bluff."  At a later meeting held in the "meeting house on the bluff," as it was ever after called, the committee reported "an excess of twelve shillings, nine pence which sum was laid aside for current expenses."
     In account of early schools we find mention of a log school-house, and it seems probable that the building was used for a time for both church and school purposes.
     Rev. Samuel P. Robbins, the successor of Rev. Daniel Story, commenced preaching at Belpre once a month in 1805.  At a meeting of the Society Octo. 27th "it was voted that Isaac Pierce, Daniel Loring, and Nathaniel Gushing, be requested to read sermons alternating, during the three Sundays of the month when Mr. Robbins would be absent.  It was farther voted that Deacon Miles and Colonel Putnam be appointed to pray at these meetings.
     In 1809 "Deacon Miles, Perley Howe and Benjamin F. Stone were appointed to read and pray, and in 1810 this duty devolved on Isaac Pierce, B. F. Stone, and Colonel Cushing.  At a meeting July 19th Rev. Mr. Langdon was hired for one year."
     About 1808 the question arose whether they would repair the meeting house or build a new one.  It was decided to repair.
     The subject of a new building came up again in 1819 and after necessary preliminaries it was decided to build of brick in what is now the cemetery.  This house was enclosed and occupied in 1821 but not completed until several years later.  These efforts to hold regular and continuous religious services were certainly commendable and manifested the character of the pioneers.  We of a later generation owe very much to the faithfulness of these men in laying the foundations of intelligence and religion in the new settlement.
     In 1805 Rev. Thomas Robbins, a missionary in the Western Reserve, visited Marietta for the purpose of assisting in the Ordination of his cousin Rev. Samuel P. Robbins.  He preached two Sundays in Belpre and was invited to remain as permanent pastor but the invitation was not accepted and Mr. Robbins returned to his wider work in the new settlements in the Reserve and a few years later returned to New England.

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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

     On Friday, November 25, 1826, at a preparatory lecture the members of the First Church in Marietta residing in Belpre resolved to request letters of dismission for the purpose of organizing a separate church.  It was also voted that the Articles of Faith and Covenant of the Parent Church should be adopted by the Belpre Church.  These persons were granted letters of dismission Dec. 14th and on Jan. 1, 1827, with the aid of Rev. Luther G. Bingham, then pastor of the Marietta Church, the "First Congregational Church of Belpre" was organized, consisting of the following members: Irene Benedict, Sophia Browning, Hannah Stone, Susannah Stone, Deborah A. Dana, Abijah Wedge, Lucinda Wedge, Dea Perley Howe, Lucy E. Gilbert, Josiah Whiting, Sarah Whiting, Elihu Clark, Deborah Clark, Rowena Putnam, Charlotte L. Putnam, Sally Goodno, Benjamin H. Miles, Maria Miles, Elizabeth Bell, Barzillai T. Miles, Hannah Miles, Amos Fisher, Huldah Fisher, Stephen Guthrie. Perley Howe was chosen deacon and held that office until his death. Benjamin H. Miles, son of Deacon Benjamin, was also chosen Deacon soon after.  Rev. Jacob Little ministered to the church about one year and he was succeeded by Rev. Augustus Pomeroy.  In 1829 Rev. Aldison Kingsbury became joint pastor of this church and the Presbyterian Church of Warren, a position which he held with great acceptance for ten years, when he was dismissed to become pastor of a Presbyterian church at Zanesville, Ohio.  This church continued its union with the Warren church in the support of a minister for a few years, longer and then assumed the support alone and for some time received aid from the American Home Missionary Society.
     For a considerable number of years this church was sustained by most of the families in the Township.  Wagons, well loaded with the large families of that period, came in the morning to the church where a preaching service was held about half past ten o'clock, a noon intermission was held, during which the worshippers partook of the bountiful lunch which they had brought from home; a few years later, after the establishment of a Sunday School, its sessions were held during this intermission.  The congregation assembled again in the afternoon for another sermon, after

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which they returned home in season to attend to the evening chores.  In 1858, after Belpre Village began to assume some importance, frequent services were held there and in 1869 the present house of worship was erected.  From that time services were held both in the village and in the old brick church until the Center Belpre Congregational Church was organized.

CENTER BELPRE OR PORTERFIELD CHURCH*

     The Center Belpre Church was organized in 1880 consisting mostly of members of the old church residing in that vicinity.  The old brick meeting house in the cemetery was sold and the congregation worshipped for several years in the school house.  In 1889 a convenient house of worship was constructed.  This building was repaired in 1917 and is now an attractive community center.  A very interesting Sunday School is sustained and a preaching service is usually held every two weeks.  This church is supplied by the pastor of the village church.

SUNDAY SCHOOLS

     The honor of establishing the first Sunday School in Belpre belonged to Mrs. Lucy E. Gilbert.  Mrs. Gilbert, then Miss Lucy E. Putnam, attended school in Marietta about 1818 when the first Sunday Schools were established there.  She became very much interested in these schools and in their work.  When she returned home she gave such an interesting account of the work that she was requested to organize such a school in Belpre, which she did about 1820 or 21 and she was a teacher in the school for more than forty years; there are persons still living (1917) who were her pupils.  Sunday Schools had not then been adopted by churches as they were a few years later, but were voluntary organizations maintained by a few persons desirous of benefitting the rising generation.  This school was held in the brick meeting house and after a time was adopted by the church and was held during the intermission between morning and afternoon services.  The exercises consisted of repeating passages of Scripture and questions and answers from the Westminister Catechism.  Some years later they used “Union Questions" published by the American Sunday School Union.  Sunday Schools have also at different times been sustained in remote neighborhoods

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† The Railway Station is Porterfield and the Post Office Center Belpre.

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METHODIST CHURCHES

     There was occasional preaching at Newbury by itinerating Methodist preachers as early as 1800.  In 1811 or 12 a Society was formed which held services in the School house until 1829 when a house of worship was erected which was occupied for about fifty years and was a source of much good in the community.
     A partition about four feet high divided it in the center, the men sitting on one side and the women on the other, and it was a brave youth who dared to sit with his girl and endure the gaze of all eyes.  The pulpit was a square box, the minister shutting the door after him; when he knelt not even the top of his head was visible.  In time the interior of the church was remodeled, the partition removed and the pulpit changed.  The more noise a minister made the better he was considered, and at times there was great excitement in the old church.”  In 1879 it was decided to remove to Little Hocking. Services were held in the school house until the present edifice was built and dedicated in 1881.
     In addition to the church at Newbury, there were occasional services held by itinerating Methodist ministers from Virginia in various homes in the township but the

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commencement of this part of the history was in 1820 when a class of thirteen members was organized with Daniel Goss as leader.  Of this number two soon withdrew and two were expelled leaving nine.
     About this time a log meeting house was erected near the Little Hocking about one mile north of Porterfield Station, and in the vincinity of the home of Daniel Goss.  All traces of this building have disappeared.
     The following statements are taken from historical paper prepared by Mrs. C. L. McNeal and presented at a Semi-Centennial Celebration in the village church.
     In 1822 a class of twenty-one members met in the school house on the farm of Joseph Newbury near the site of the present Rockland Church with Joseph O’Neal leader.
     (This was probably the same class just mentioned.)
     In 1827 under the pastoral labors of LeRoy Swornstedt seventeen members were added to the church. In September of this year a subscription paper was circulated for the purpose of building a meeting house at Cedarville (now Rockland) with the following unique heading:  “We, the undersigned subscribers, believe that it would be of importance to the Methodist Society in Belpre to build a house of worship, not only for their own convenience but for all those that may be willing to attend.  It is understood by all those who are acquainted with the form of Methodist meeting houses that the seats are free for those who do not belong to the Society in time of worship.  We, the undersigned do hereby agree to pay the amounts to our respective names subscribed to the Trustees of the Methodist Church in said township who may be appointed to superintend the building of said meeting house, to be applied as they may think proper.
     There were subscriptions from fifty cents to forty dollars. One subscription of $4.50 was to be a hat—did not say whether it was to be a ladies or man’s hat.  Another of $5.00 was to be paid in nails.
     About April 1st, 1832 work was commenced on the proposed meeting house and the ninth day of June following the third quarterly meeting was held in the building.  The work was greatly facilitated by the memorable flood of 1832 on which the lumber was floated by Daniel Ellenwood

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from the mill on Little Hocking. This is memorable as being the first building in Belpre township that was raised without liquor, and at which there was neither accident, nor want of help, notwithstanding the protest of many people against the innovation.
     In 1842 the Belpre Society consisted of seventy-five members and was divided into two classes.  Colbert O’Neal was leader of Class No. 1 which met in the brick School house on the plain not far from the present home of D. S. Abbot.
     Daniel Goss was leader of Class No. 2 which met in the church.
     In 1866 a house of worship was built in the growing village of Belpre, at a cost of $6,500.  This was dedicated February 24, 1867 by Dr. Reid of Cincinnati.  This building was called Lewis Chapel in honor of Frederick and Mary Lewis, who contributed $1000 toward its erection.  Josiah Henderson presented the Society with a bell at a cost of $440.  The lot was given by Mr. Hamilton Browning.  The stones of the foundation were quarried and laid in place by the late L. J. Finch, Leander Cunningham, and Jack Simpson.  The building was largely the work of Calvin Leisure, E. E. Cunningham, and Colbert O’Neal.
     The first organ was purchased during the pastorate of Rev. J. E. Sowers at a cost of $350.00.  B. F. Stone donating his commission of $75.00.
     In 1869 the B. & O. Railway Company paid to Lewis Chapel $700.00 as damage for running within one hundred feet of the building.  By this means the Trustees were able to pay the balance of debt on the building and organ.
     During the pastorate of Rev. Grey Amherst the church was repaired and the famous old gallery removed, the parlors and vestibule added and a furnace put in.

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     During the pastorate of J. W. Orr the basement room was enlarged, the floor cemented, the steps made, cement walks laid, and a new bell secured.

CENTENNIAL CHURCH

     In 1866 certain persons desiring to celebrate the Centennial of Methodism in this country started an enterprise in the Northwestern part of the township which was named the Centennial Church.  A small house of worship was erected which was afterwards turned into a dwelling.  About ten years later it was decided that this was an unnecessary multiplication of churches and the members seem to have been transferred to Little Hocking Church.
     The Village and Rockland churches form a circuit and are served by the same Pastor.  The church at Little Hocking is in a circuit with churches in Athens County.

UNIVERSALIST CHURCHES

     The first Universalist Church in Belpre was organized January 17, 1824 and embraced several leading families.  A house of worship was erected in 1835 in the Middle Settlement near the Putnam home where services were maintained for three quarters of a century.  In 1852, several members were dismissed from this church in order to organize a branch church at Newbury near their homes.  This was called The Second Universalist Church of Belpre.  A convenient house of worship was erected on the hill near the home of Judge Walter Curtiss.  This building was to be free for the use of all religious services when not used by the Universalists.  After about forty years it seemed wise for the members of this church to transfer their services to the village of Little Hocking.  What material from the old building was available was used in the erection of a larger building at Little Hocking in 1891.  In 1912 the First Universalist Church abandoned their house of worship near the Putnam home and constructed an attractive building in Rockland.  The same pastor supplies both these churches.
     These churches are now in a flourishing condition. They have vigorous Sunday Schools also Ladies Aid and Missionary Societies and are earnestly striving to extend the Kingdom of God.

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BAPTIST CHURCH

     A Baptist church was organized at Little Hocking in 1889 and a house of worship built and dedicated 1892.
     This church owed its existence quite largely to the influence of Dr. and Mrs. M. A. Villars.  It was supplied for some time by Rev. Watson Dana and considerably increased in membership.
     The church is now supplied in connection with several other churches in the vicinity.
     There is a Sunday School in the Mullen School House, a Mission of the First Baptist Church of Parkersburg, and occasional preaching services are held there.  The Sunday School is well sustained.

AFRICAN METHODIST CHURCH

     There were but few colored people in Belpre previous to the civil war.  A colored man did not feel entirely safe so near the border of a Slave State.  After the War and the abolition of slavery colored people gradually came in to engage in various employments until they became quite numerous, and they were usually law abiding and industrious citizens and also desired to worship God.  Though usually made welcome in the churches they preferred to worship by themselves and in 1868 an African Methodist Church was organized.  They worshipped for a time in the room used by the colored school.  In 1875 a house of worship was erected on Florence street.  The church has increased in numbers and importance and regular services are held.  They are supplied in connection with a church in Parkersburg.

JACKSONS CHAPEL

     A local preacher organized another colored church here in 1870, which flourished for a time and they built a house of worship on upper Walnut Street.  This house was occupied for several years but it was found difficult to sustain two churches by the limited number of colored people in the village.  The building was considerably injured by floods and about 1910 was sold and devoted to other uses.  Most of the colored people now worship with the church on Florence Street.

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ROMAN CATHOLIC - pg. 188

     Saint Marys Roman Catholic Church was organized at Little Hocking in 1879 and a neat frame Chapel built the same year.  Quite large congregations gather there from the surrounding country.  A Priest from Athens officiates.
     A small frame chapel has been erected on upper Main Street in the Village where occasional services are held.  Most of the Roman Catholics in the Village attend services in Parkersburg.

MISSIONARY SOCIETY

     There was a very interesting girls Missionary Society organized in 1831. This Society consisted of twenty-four members twelve from Congregational families and twelve from Methodist families.
     Each member over twelve years old paid twelve and one-half cents a year or what was then known as a shilling.  Members under twelve years of age gave six and one-quarter cents, or sixpence, (silver coins were then in circulation representing each of these sums.)
     This Society continued for eight years and it is interesting to record this early manifestation of friendliness between the children.  The Congregational portion of the money was given to help educate a boy in Ceylon; the Methodist to Methodist mission work.  Miss Elizabeth Ellenwood, who died January 23 1915, aged ninety years was a member of this Society.

FRIENDLY GROUP

     There was a Ladies Society known as the Friendly Group connected with the Congregational church for many years which contributed a specified sum each year toward the pastors salary, provided for a variety of repairs on the church building and parsonage, sustained social gatherings, and was useful in many ways.  This Society was superceded by “The Ladies Aid” in 1898, which has continued the work so well commenced.  Carpets have been laid on floors, rooms have been painted and cleaned, banquets provided for, and aid given to the poor during the subsequent years.  There are other similar organizations,

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equally efficient, connected with the other church in Belpre, and these are often united in branches of charitable work which pertain to the whole community.  It is true in all Christian communities that in nearly all charitable work first appeals are made to the churches.  This is true because the churches are always leaders in the unselfish work of aiding the needy.  In our civil war the churches of our country united in sustaining the Christian Commission, which contributed large sums of money to provide comforts and care for soldiers in camps and hospitals.
     During these years of intense suffering occasioned by the terrible war in Europe appeals have been made to the churches to aid the millions who have been made widows and orphans or deprived of limbs or eyes through this wicked war.  We would not overlook or undervalue the many and very generous contributions of organizations and individuals outside the churches but we mention the charitable contributions of the churches because they are recognized as representations of Christianity and not only from their professions but from their practices the public have reason to expect them to be leaders in good works, and at the present time in all parts of our country they are contributing to the aid of millions of those suffering from the European war.

BURIAL OF THE DEAD

     The first death in Belpre was that of Captain Zebulon King who was murdered by Indians May 1st, 1789 while clearing the land on his claim.  The place of his burial is unknown.  It is probable that his body and those of several others who died during the first decade were buried in private grounds.  A cemetery was laid out very early on the bluff a little below the site of the first log meeting house, as this was about half a mile above Farmers Castle it seems probable it was not laid out until after the Indian War.  Here are graves of most of the first settlers although a part of the original ground has been carried away by the river.  The following inscriptions from the old cemetery were obtained by E. B. Dana for A. T. Nye, Esq., previous to 1881.

     (1) —Over (or near?) this spot were buried Capt. King, Jonas Davis, Mrs. Armstrong and her three children, all of whom were massacred by the Indians in this vicinity.

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Mrs. Armstrong and her children on the Virginia shore, during the years 1791-5.  This stone is erected to rescue their names and fate from oblivion.  Erected by George Dana, 1836.

     (2) —To the memory of Col. Daniel Bent a native of Mass, who died April 4, 1848.  Aged 74 years.  Mary, wife of Col. Daniel Bent died June 10, 1851 in the 84th year of her age.

     (3) —Jonathan Stone, who departed this life March 24, 1801, in the 60th year of his age.  A Captain and an active officer in the American Revolutionary War, one of the first settlers of this town.  An affectionate husband, a tender parent, beloved and respected by all who knew him.

     (4) —Captain William Dana, a revolutionary soldier, born in Massachusetts, emigrated to the west in 1788, and settled in Belpre.  Died in 1809 aged 69 years.  Captain Dana spent a part of the first year in Marietta, went to Belpre in 1789.  Mary, wife of Captain William Dana, a native of Massachusetts died in 1852, aged 79 years.

     (5) —In memory of William Browning a native of Massachusetts whence he emigrated to the then western wilderness in 1789.  He lived to behold, and contributed in causing these valleys to give place to the arts and comforts of civilized life.  Died August 1825 aged 56.  In memory of Abigail Browning, wife of William Browning and daughter of General Rufus Putnam, who departed this life February 24, 1803, aged 35.  In memory of Mary Browning, wife of William Browning Esq., formerly wife of Peregrene Foster, Esq., who died September 1825, aged 65 years.

     (6) —Persis Howe, wife of Perley Howe, and daughter of Rufus Putnam (whose dust lies here) died Sept. A. D. 1822 aged 55 years.

     (7) —In memory of Jonathan Haskell, a native of Massachusetts, who departed this life December 6, 1810 in the 62nd year of his age.

     (8) —In memory of Daniel Loring, who died 31st July 1825, aged 73 years.

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     In memory of Mrs. Lucy Loring consort of Daniel Loring, Esq., who died 8th of September, aged 75 years.

     (9)—In memory of Major Robert Bradford who died September 11, 1822 in the 72nd year of his age, was a revolutionary officer and one of the first settlers in this county.  Captain and Mrs. Benjamin Miles were buried in this cemetery but their graves could not be found.

REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS

     The complete list of officers and soldiers of the Revolution buried in Belpre so far as known is as follows:

     (1) —Captain William Dana of Charleston or Worcester Mass.

     (2) —Major Jonathan Haskell born in Massachusetts.  Commissioned Major in the regular service. Stationed at Marietta 1791.  Died 1810 aged 62 years.

     (3) —Colonel Nathaniel Cushing; born near Boston, Mass. \

     (4) —Colonel Israel Putnam, born Salem, Mass.  Served in regiment with his father General Israel Putnam.

     (5) —Captain Jonathan Stone.  Born Braintree, Mass.  Served in Northern army under Gen. Rufus Putnam and General Gates.

     (6) —Colonel Alexander Oliver of Massachusetts.

     (7) —Colonel Daniel Bent of Massachusetts.

     (8) —Sherafiah Fletcher, soldier, Lowell, Mass.

     (9) —Major Oliver Rice, Massachusetts.

     (10) —Captain Benjamin Miles, Rutland, Mass.

     (11) —Major Robert Bradford, Plymouth, Mass.  Lineal descendant of Governor Bradford.

     (12) —Captain Zebulon King of Rhode Island, killed by Indians in 1789 (old cemetery.)

     (13) —Peregrene Foster from Rhode Island.

     (14) —Noah Sparehawk.  These men were not only among the heroes who, by their sacrifices, gave us the best country in the world, they were the pioneers of our favored town of Belpre.  They deserve to be honored by their successors to the latest time.

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The citizens of Belpre should secure the old cemetery from all encroachments by a strong and durable fence and the ground should be kept in such order that when the sons and daughters of Belpre shall visit their old homes they may not only walk among the graves of the honored dead but may also tell their friends how faithfully the memory of these heroes is kept fresh by the care of their resting place.
     The first deaths in the Lower Settlement (Newbury) were Mrs. Brown and child and Persis Dunham murdered by Indians who were buried on the farm of Truman Guthrie near the river.  Burials were made near this spot until about 1825 when this cemetery was abandoned on account of occasional floods and another opened on higher ground near the school house.  In 1871 the tomb stones were removed from the old cemetery and a marble monument was erected bearing this inscription.
     "Anthony Spacht and wife Catharine, Hannah, wife of Joseph Guthrie, Stratton, Leavens, Bliss, Dunham, one woman and two children killed by Indians; these and some names not now remembered died and were buried on this spot between 1790 and 1810.  Erected by some of their descendants as a token of their memory.  Erected in 1871." 
     There is a small neighborhood cemetery about one and one-half miles north of Porterfield station, used by families in the vicinity. 
     The principal cemetery, now used by nearly the whole township, is known as the Rockland cemetery.  This was laid out about 1821 and the old brick meeting house stood within its bounds.  After the organization of the Center Belpre Church this building fell to them and after the erection of their house at Porterfield the old brick was demolished. 
     It is quite generally conceded that this was a mistake for a chapel is needed in every considerable cemetery where services may be held for strangers and for bodies brought from a distance, and the old building was well adapted in size and locality for that purpose.  It has been suggested by some of our citizens that a chapel should be erected in the Cemetery to be used when needed.  If the citizens should decide to build such chapel we will take the liberty to suggest that it be erected as near

GEORGE A. HOWE

GEORGE HOWE BOWER

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the site of this old building as possible and architecturally be a duplicate of the Chapel built here in 1821.
     This cemetery was considerably enlarged in 1895, and in the nature of things the graves are constantly increasing in number.  A few revolutionary soldiers are buried here and a large number of soldiers of our civil war.  The beautiful and patriotic services of decorating the graves of soldiers with flowers on May 30 is still performed and this festival has been adopted by many who make it an occasion for decorating graves of their friends.

     One of our best loved American poets wrote:
          "All that tread
          The globe are but a handful to the tribes
          That slumber in its bosom."

     The number of those whose mortal bodies have been deposited in Belpre Cemetery is even now larger than that of those who occupy our homes and the former citizens who shall return to this home town after absence of a score of years will find more familiar names on tombstones than familiar faces among those they meet.
     It is a privilege as well as duty of those who are alive to keep the place of the dead beautiful, and attractive and it is a satisfaction to us while living to know that those who follow us will continue to honor the memory of the dead.

- END OF CHAPTER XVII -