Memorial Day on Kelleys Island in 1898

Memorial Day 2020 is behind us and the impact of COVID-19 on this day was keenly felt on the Island. In the past, upwards of 200 people would show up at the cemetery to show their respect to those who fell protecting our freedom and our country. They had speeches, bike races, and parades. Ceremonies today are a bit more low-key. 

On April 25, 1898 the United States declared war on Spain following the sinking of the Battleship Maine in Havana harbor on February 15, 1898. The war ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris on December 10, 1895. This was the Spanish-American War.

The list of island men volunteering include William C. Upp, who had already enlisted in Co. B and was awaiting orders, Edwin L. Upp, Thomas Keating, William Blatt, Andrew Boker and Frederick Hess.

Here is how they celebrated MEMORIAL DAY – 1898

“In the midst of the excitement of the present war comes Memorial Day, the day when we decorate the graves of the boys in blue who died in the effort to keep our flag from the dust, and we do it with the thought that, however hard it may be to bear, we may be decorating the graves of other boys in blue who died for the flag in the present strife, when next Memorial day brings us to the little cemetery. Never before, I think, in the history of the island, did such a large and magnificent procession from for the march to the cemetery to pay tribute to our fallen heroes. The different orders and societies turned out in force and the number of carriages was very large. The following was the program of the proceedings:

President of the Day, G. P. Bristol. Assembled at Kelley’s Hall at 4 o’clock pm.

ORDER OF PROCESSION

Band

Grand Army of the Republic

Hibernian Association

Slavonian Society

Knights of St. John

Knights of the Maccabees

Citizens in Carriages

Bicycles

ORDER OF EXERCISES

Music                          Band

Invocation                  Rev. Rettig

Music                          Schools

Address                      Rev. Bowers

Music                          Schools

Decorating Graves     Schools

Music                          Band

Music                          Schools

Benediction                Rev. Rettig

Return March

After the ceremonies had concluded the people watched a very exciting bicycle race between two of the best racers the island has: Fred Elmlinger [Emlinger] and Conrad Green. The course was 6 miles and it was a hotly contested race, Green winning out at the finish, thus establishing himself as a fast sprinter.

            Next on the program was a bicycle parade, which was a great credit to the island and also to the promoters. Although all of the cyclists did not appear, nearly 100 paraded with their wheels very tastefully decorated.

            Ice cream, cake and lemonade were served after the parade at the Reading Room. Rev. Roy Bowers, who is a graduate of the Chicago Theological seminary, will preach in the Congregational Church for the next three months, with the exception of one Sunday in each month, when he will preach at North Bass.”

            “The parade formed at 1:30 PM and marched to the cemetery. The lodges taking part were Maccabees, Hibernians, and St. John. The GAR carriages, wheelmen and school children made up the procession and were led by the KI Brass Band. At the cemetery patriotic airs were sung; a very good address was made by Rev. Bowers of the Congregational Church, and the graves of the heroes were strewn with flowers by the children. Few places are more patriotic than Kelley’s Island during the ‘present difficulty,’ and Cuban flags could be seen everywhere mingled with those of Uncle Sam.

Very few wheels were seen in this parade, however, for the great bicycle parade was to take place in the evening. Great interest centered upon the principal event of the day, which was a race between two speedy riders, C. Green and F. Elmlinger. The race was 6½ miles for a prize valued at $5. Though Elmlinger was looked upon by most as a sure winner, he was beaten in the home stretch by his opponent who was greeted with cheers and music as he crossed the tape. As Elmlinger was heretofore supposed to be champion of Kelley’s Island, some hot races may be looked for this summer. Both boys, though fast friends, maintain that they are the fastest and both have people behind them who ‘have the dough.’ Great rivalry seems to exist between the admirers of the different wheels, and as Green rode a Monarch and Elmlinger a Cleveland, consequently ‘Monarch stock’ is up and ‘Cleveland stock’ is down.

            During the parade in the afternoon Alfred Slombolm fell from his wheel and broke an arm. Dr. Sheldon was immediately summoned and dressed the injured member. The wheel parade in the evening was well managed and over 80 took part. Nearly all wheels were decorated and presented a very handsome appearance.”

Submitted by Leslie Korenko