Tomorrow, May 30 will be the 83rd anniversary of the original Dedication of this Soldiers Monument.
Today we have gathered to rededicate this monument which has been thoroughly restored, repaired, conserved and cleaned following so many years of service and unfortunately, neglect. The weather in this part of the country can be severe, particularly the winters. But then, you will hear more about this shortly.
Let us take a look at how this tribute to our veterans and early citizens came about.
Broadalbin had sent its fair share of men and boys to fight in the war between the states, known today as the Civil War. Following the conclusion of hostilities the majority of these soldiers returned to blend back into the life of their community. The years passed and in time these veterans decided to form a GAR Post where they might continue to serve their community and to display their pride in so doing.
The Broadalbin post became known as McKean Post 289, GAR and they rendered service in organizing many events including the annual Decoration Day parade and ceremony, as it was known in those days.
More years passed and these brave men continued to age, to diminish in numbers, and yet their long time dream and desire to provide a suitable monument, whereby our community would remember their brave deeds, prevailed.
By 1923 it became apparent that they were too few in numbers to continue. They sold their meeting house, to the newer Broadalbin veterans organization, known as the American Legion, and realized $1500 from this sale. This money was donated to the monument fund to become a nucleus to which other money would hopefully be attracted, and their dream realized. The Fulton County Board of Supervisors then provided $1500 to help in this effort.
A very active and civic minded gentleman by the name of William J. Harris is credited with the design of this monument and he took it upon himself to direct the effort to raise the remaining monies by public subscription. The total needed was $4238, leaving it up to Mr. Harris to secure $1238.
The above mentioned amounts of money seem like no problem at all by today's value of the dollar, so let us make a few comparisons. J. A. Bemis was running an ad for his grocery store here on Main Street. He listed the following prices:
| Pillsbury flour, 24 ½ lb. sack | $1.15 |
| 6 bars of Fels Naptha soap | .39 |
| Salt pork | .16 / lb. |
Also, a brand new automobile could be purchased for less than $1000, depending upon which model you might select.
And one more, you could take a New York Central Railroad excursion train from Fonda to Niagara Falls and return the next day for $4.65 ROUND TRIP!
Now, doesn't that make $4238 sound like a great deal of money ?
This attractive monument was purchased through the Hunter Granite Works of Gloversville and is made of Barre granite. It has paid tribute to earlier citizens since that memorable day in 1923. At that celebration there were 5 remaining Broadalbin Civil War veterans. They not only wished to see the result of their efforts, but also other GAR members who had answered their last Roll Call. Those 5 members were David Mulligan, Orlin Bentley, Andrew Cook, Ralph Johnson and Evert Lingenfelter. It is with a feeling of pride that I mention the fact that Evert Lingenfelter was a maternal Great Grandfather of Elaine and I.
The crowd was large on that day in May 1923, but the 83 years since then has greatly reduced the numbers of those attendees. Some of those persons who were here, were too young to recall it today and some others due to age are unable to be here with us. One outstanding exception to all of this is Eliza Ammerall. She was born Eliza Cloutier and has seen so much of our history develop in her 100 years. Let us show our appreciation for her putting forth the effort to be with us today!
In the programs that have been handed out you will note the words which appear on each of the three tablets attached to the monument. While it was the GAR members and their supporters who made this possible, the monument was placed here to honor all men and women who rose to the occasion and fought for our country up to and including World War I.
In closing I would like to read a very small part of the poem, written by LeVerne Jeffers, and read by Herman Cooper, on that day in May, 83 years ago.
This monument is made for those
Who gave their all to make us free
Who at the call of battle rose
And fought their way to victory.
For those who did with England fight
For those boys who fought in '63
For those who fought in France for right
And saved the world from tyranny.
Thank you so much for your attendance here today!
