Elmwood Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Cenotaph

The GAR monument at the Elmwood cemetery was dedicated on November 7, 1903 in the forenoon and a program was held in the opera house in the afternoon. Governor John H. Mickey spoke at the cemetery. The cost of the cenotaph, a monument erected in memory of a person or group of people, who are buried elsewhere, was $400. It is 13 feet high and came from Bedford, Indiana, and was the only one of its kind in Cass County. There was a large crowd present as the Murdock band furnished the music for the day. A parade went from the GAR Hall to the cemetery. Mrs. Marrittie Dickson, wife of A. B. Dickson Civil War veteran and Adjutant of G.A.R. Post 123, unveiled the monument. The Elmwood GAR Post originally had $3.79 in their treasury when they started planning to erect the monument. They presented a play on the evening of May 30, 1903, and raised $86.70 to put in a separate fund for the cenotaph. On April 25, 1903, the Elmwood Cemetery Association voted to donate $50 to the monument fund. The GAR Post raised the additional funds needed including hosting their traditional bean supper. On Memorial Day, 2008, American Legion Post 247 rededicated the monument after it was refurbished. Sons of the American Legion Squadron 247 and Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War also participated in the ceremony. A sponge-jet process had been used to clean the statue then a sealant was sprayed on it. American Legion Post 247 initiated the refurbishment after receiving a $500 grant through the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War.