Iowa
Old Press
Correctionville News
Correctionville, Woodbury, Iowa
July 15, 1909
MRS. JAMES M'CAW DIES HERE AT THE AGE OF 87 YEARS
Mrs. James McCaw, a resident of Correctionville for 21 years,
died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. A.C. Smith Monday
afternoon. She had been ill for some weeks, being first afflicted
with pneumonia early in the summer. The funeral was held Tuesday
afternoon and was very largely attended. Interment was in the new
portion of the local cemetery, her's being the first grave to be
made in the newly acquired plot. The services were conducted by
Rev. W.J. Todd. The pallbearers were: O.P. Riordan, A.W. Bryan,
Dr. O.I. Cook, Orson D. Castle, Oscar D. Castle and E.C. Bailey.
The three children of deceased were present at the funeral, Mrs.
A.C. Smith, Miss Margaret McCaw of Correctionville and William J.
McCaw of Dixon, Neb. The latter's wife was also here.
Margaret Kirkpatrick was born in Colearine, Ireland, Feb. 12,
1822, and died in Correctionville July 12, 1909. When 30 years of
age she came to America, leaving the old home just 57 years ago
Tuesday, the date of her burial. After living in New York City 4
years she came to Illinois where she was married to James McCaw
Dec. 29, 1857. Three children were born to them, all of whom
survive. Mrs. McCaw was a member of the old Presbyterian church
in Ireland from an early age and always endeavored to lead a
consistent Christian life. In 1871 she moved to eastern Iowa and
in April, 1888 came to Correctionville, where she lived with her
daughter, Mrs. Smith. During her residence here she was a member
of the Methodist church and was remarkably active in church and
religious work.
[transcribed by C.J.L., March 2006]
The Sioux City Journal, Thurs., July 15, 1909
CROWD BECOMES ENTHUSED.
COLOR BEARER STIRS UP PATRIOTIC EMOTIONS.
WAR TIME AT AUDITORIUM.
Old Soldiers Hold Impressive Campfire Ceremonies Before a Big Audience—J. T. Bishop Is Presented with Gold Medal.
Leaping to the center of the Auditorium stage, an American flag waving from his hands, N. D. Wilson, of Coon Rapids, Io., color bearer for the veteran drum corps, last night brought the great throng which had gathered for the campfire exercises of the Northwestern Iowa Veterans association to its feet, while Reed’s band discoursed the “Star Spangled Banner.” It was the final touch of color to a gathering that breathed patriotism in its every act, and the old flag bearer was cheered to the echo. when, the last strains dying away, he bowed himself off the stage.
It was war times at the Auditorium from the opening of the programme with the martial strains of the drum corps to the closing selection by the band. At least a half hour before the time set for the opening of the campfire the crowd began to take the building by storm, and when the line of old soldiers rounded the corner of Sixth and Douglas streets, headed by the drum corps, at least 500 had been seated. Following the veteran paraded, which had formed at headquarters in the Iowa building, came a large throng, drawn out by the fife and drum programme rendered before the line formed.
Crowd at Auditorium.
At the Auditorium this host was welcomed by Reed’s band, which had been stationed outside the big building, and when the veteran fifers had ceased their work and the rattle of the army drums had died away “The Grenadier Guards” was struck up by the waiting band. Swayed by the martial strains, the members of the drum corps, though tired by their trips from one depot to another to welcome the incoming veterans from all over Northwestern Iowa, commence to step it off as lively as they did when they followed their own military bands right up the cannon’s mouth during war times.
The band ceasing, the old fellows were given the fore, the fifes were started, the military drums were rattled, and into the waiting building the old soldiers marched, taking it by storm, as they did Sioux City earlier in the day. At the campfire the veterans made an especially good showing, because a large number arrived on the afternoon trains. This number, it is expected, will be increased before the parade, which will be one of the big features of today’s programme.
On the state were seated the speakers of the evening, prominent members of the Grand Army, and the drum corps, which is featured in all the sessions. The stage was decorated with a large number of silken flags, while down in the body of the building the vista was one of red, white and blue, set off with innumerable incandescent lamps.
“Welcome Comrades” flags greeted the Civil War heroes on every window of the structure, and many people in the audience carried tiny flags as souvenirs of the occasion.
Wilson Waves a Flag.
Commander J. S. Lothrop opened the evening by introducing Senior Vice Commander I. S. Struble, who presided at the campfire and who called on the drum corps at once for a selection. Following this Rev. J. Ayraut, of Alton, Io., was called on for the invocation. He was followed by Barr’s double quartette, which rendered the “Red, White and Blue.” The first verse over, the quartette had just launched into the chorus when Color Bearer Wilson commenced waving his huge flag. Commander Lothrop pounded with the gavel and the audience arose en masse, while here and there in the throng flags fluttered as the audience joined in the patriotic paean. It was a great chorus and the Grand Army me joined, many with quavering voices, in swelling the tidal wave of song.
Then followed the decoration of J. T. Bishop, of Sheldon, past commander of the association, with a gold medal suspended on a tricolored ribbon, as a mark of appreciation on the part of the members of the association for his work during the year he occupied the commander’s office. To present the medal Commander Lothrop called on Mike McDonald, of Bayard, Io., recently chosen department commander of the Grand Army of Iowa. Mr. McDonald, in presenting the badge of honor, remarked that he knew that it was well deserved, and that he voiced the opinion of every member of the division, when he said the association had been honored with few such capable officials.
Members are Thanked.
Mr. Bishop accepted in a short address, in which he thanked the members of the association…..
[excerpt]
Sessions at the Auditorium.
The opening session of the meeting was held yesterday afternoon in the Auditorium and was well attended not only by the visiting soldiers, but by many Sioux City people, as well. Capt. Lothrop presided, and the exercises were opened with a patriotic selection by Reed’s Military Band. Capt. Lothrop then formally opened the reunion with brief remarks, in which he spoke of the history of the Northwestern Iowa Veteran’s association and the fact that the annual gatherings had served to bind closer the remnant of the regiments which went to the front from this section of the state.
[Photograph included]
MEN WHO UPHELD THE HONOR OF THEIR COUNTRY.
The staff photographer for The Journal managed to get a few of the old comrades lined up yesterday for a picture. In the group are many of those who had thrilling experiences during the war and they have been busy recounting them. Mike McDonald, of Bayard, Io., department commander for Iowa, stands in the foreground. The picture was taken in front of the Iowa State National Bank Building.
[transcribed by LZ, Nov 2020]