The Ironton News

PROCTORVILLE
R. C. Hall, Correspondent

Decoration Day

Decoration Day here passed off quietly. In fact almost too quietly to seem like Decoration. However many people were out and never in the last few years have we seen Rome Cemetery look so beautiful as it did this year. Especially was this true of the last addition where the lots are large and many fine monuments have been erected. There almost every grave had been carefully cleaned off and most of them buried under a wealth of beautiful flowers.

As usual many former residents bringing flowers and placing them on graves of loved ones.

Among these out of town visitors were: Mrs. William Smith. Mr. and Mrs. Paul Fisher and children. Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Kitts. Mr. Lynn Robinson, Mr. and Mrs. Toney and Mrs. R. Gillette, all of Huntington; Mr. and Mrs. Reginald Smith and children of Chesapeake, Mrs. David Kitts of Bradrick and Mr. Edward Munsel of R. F. D. No. 3.

One fine improvement we noticed this year at Decoration was the serving of Ice Cream to the tired and hot visitors at the Cemetery. This was done by the Rome Epworth League and was managed by Miss Fannie Waddell and Miss Belle Eaton. two faithful church workers of Rome.

Another thing that makes Decoration Day seem rather unnatural recently is the absence of the Civil War Veteran. How well we remember 20 or 25 years ago, the long line of these heroes who filed in the church and listened to patriotic speeches in the afternoon, having overseen the decoration services in the morning. Now only a few of them are left, and of these, most are unable to take part in the celebration while those who are, have joined the Huntington or other neighboring posts and take part in their services. It would seem that if Proctorville is to maintain a real Decoration Day-by that we mean one managed by former soldiers- it will have to rely on veterans of later wars.

However, a civilian Decoration Day does not necessarily mean that the soldier is forgotten and yet it would seem that some of the younger soldiers would be interested in taking the lead in a more enthusiastic celebration of the day. Especially as many of their number are also buried in this cemetery.

And by the way, we wonder how many know the history of this historic spot. Or how many would be interested in it.

Rome Cemetery was founded by John Pierce who owned much land in and about Rome and donated the tract now known as "The Old Cemetery" for use as a free burial ground. Mr Pierce built the house now owned and occupied by Earl Miller and lived there some time. As this was a free cemetery it has become very crowded. many graves have been completely lost and forgotten and sometimes a new one has been dug right down into an old one.

This led to the opening of the "New Cemetery" the first addition to the old. which was purchased and opened under control of a board of trustees in the latter part of the 19th. century. Within the last few years a second addition has been opened also. This new part is conducted on the modern plan, lots being sold, and some attention being given to the care of the place.

Already there are some 100 marked graves in this addition: probably twice that number in the first addition while many times that many in the original cemetery. As, perhaps, not half the graves are marked at all. it seems safe to say that well over 1000 bodies are buried in this burial ground. It may be that the number far exceeds that. On account of the fact that the original cemetery was free and no records kept of it it is impossible to say who was first buried there. But a rather careful survey. indicates that of the marked graves that of Henrietta Sprouse who died in 1833 is the oldest. A child of Josiah Beckett Sprouse was also among the first buried there for its monument states that it died in 1837. The 1700's are also prominent on some of these older monuments as many of those buried there were born well back in the 18th. century.

Many leading citizens of former years in this community have found their last resting place in Rome cemetery. Here lies the body of Jacob Proctor, the father and founder of Proctorville, and his wife. These remarkable people lived almost to the century mark and died within a few days of each other, being buried at the same time here at Rome. Here also, sleeps John Pierce, a relative of Pres. Franklin Pierce and the founder of the Cemetery itself. At least three former mayors of Proctorville rest here, viz; John Parker, I. W. Olum and Frank Suiter. Also two former Post Masters, John Parker and E. G. Curtis. Dr. McDowell. the pioneer physician of Quaker Bottom and his wife sleep under. the flat, box-like monument near the church, while members of the Reynolds family one of the early settlers of Proctorville rest about the large monument surmounted by an urn not far from the church. William Hall and many members of his family who came to Quaker Bottom from Virginia in 1808 rest near there also. Abner Smith another early settler in Proctorville who lived for a time near the mouth of Paddy Creek. his son E. J. Smith long time business man of this vicinity and members of their families are also resting in this historic old spot

Roy Waddell pioneer Methodist Episcopal Minister whose name frequently appears In "The Ironton of Sweet Long Ago." in this paper, his wife and a daughter, are also resting there. Rev. Waddell preached on the Guyandotte circuit prior to settling in Quaker Bottom. His brother, Abram Waddell another pioneer Methodist who lived many years in Rome and his wife, sleep their last sleep near by.

Dozens of veterans of the Civil War are buried there, among them Roy Byard whose father attempted to kill him to prevent him from joining the Union army and who was killed at the front. A number of veterans of the World War among these. Ivan Beckett and Harry Fuller two of the first casualties of that great conflict and a Mr. Gillette and a Mr. Beckett.

There are, of course, many others deserving mention. but space forbids. We trust the omission of their names will be pardoned for it is manifestly impossible to,include all. We have merely mentioned a few who came to our mind as among the leading citizens whose remains rest in that place. We only wish that space for- a fuller history of this burial ground. For a careful study of the monuments. especially those in the original part. furnish much information of local historical interest to say the least. Even the unmarked graves furnish food for thought for who can tell?

"Perhaps in this neglected spot is laid; Some heart once pregnant with Celestial Fire; Hands that the rod of empire might have swayed, Or waked to ecstasy the living lyre.

"Some village Hampden, that with dauntless breast The little tyrant of. his field with stood: Some mute, inglorious Milton here may rest, Some Cromwell, guiltless of his country's blood."