There are some things a beauty, which besides being a joy forever, or a source of inspiration to lofty thought and noble action. Just such an object is the artistic monument directed to the memory of those Emmitsburgians and who served in the World’s War, which was unveiled and dedicated on West Main street last Saturday, before one of the large crowds that ever congregated in our quant and classic burg.

The monument consisting of a granite base, surmounted by the bronze figure of an American doughboy was made possible by the efforts of the Emmitsburg Memorial Association, Mrs. Andrew A. Annan, president, and we do not feel that our praise is tinged in the least with flattery when we say that it would be a credit to any county town of our state.

Emmitsburgians need not be ashamed of the record of the 135 service man who represented them on the battlefields of France, neither need they hang down their heads when they show to strangers to beautiful effigy which they have dedicated to their memory. Nor could the Community have selected a more fitting place, just far enough from the heart of traffic, and amidst surroundings that put the observer in the proper mood to meditate on unselfish patriotism, which in the following nine cases resulted in the supreme sacrifice:

• Arthur H. Bentzel, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. David Bentzel.
• Francis X. Elder, son of Mrs. James Elder and the late Mr. James Elder.
• Charles F Gelwicks, son of Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Gelwicks.
• Martin Luther Hahn, son of Mr. James Hahn and the late Mrs. Hahn.
• Herman Robert Ohler, son of Mr. and Mrs. Beecher Ohler.
• Robert B. Reifsnider, son of Mr. and Mrs. Kester Reifsnider.
• Francis Edward Rowe, son of Mrs. Edward Rowe and the late Mr. Edward Rowe.
• Lieutenant John Reading Schley, brother of Miss Lillian Schley.
• Lieutenant Henry D. Spalding, aviator, nephew of Rev. Pennolds, Chapel of the Navy.

The exercise began with a selection by the Emmit Coronet Band, Mr. Walter Simpson, leader, followed by and invocation by the Reverend Higbee and the singing of America by the school children, led by Mr. Higbee and Mrs. Cyril Rotering. Mr. Higbee then, in a few introductory remarks, thanked the local subscribers for their subscriptions, Mrs. A. L. Kalbach, of Lancaster Pa., for the circular plot of land on which the memorial stands, which she so generously donated to the Association, Mr. A. J. Klinkert, architect, of Hagerstown for valuable assistance in selecting a suitable design, and Mr. Charles Hoke who waved all profit in negotiating the purchase of the monument and directed the placement of the same.

He also paid a well-deserved tribute to Mrs. Andrew A. Annon, whose untiring laborers and extraordinary executive ability have done so much for our community in general, and for the direction of this beautiful memorial in particular.

After the singing of the Star-Spangled Banner, the monument was unveiled by Mrs. E H. Rowe, mother a Private Francis Rowe, first soldier from the Emmitsburg district to die before leaving for overseas, and Mrs. Keister Reifsnider, mother or Private Robert Reifsnider first soldier from the Emmetsburg District to die overseas.

After which, Mrs. James B. Elder, mother of Private Francis X Elder, first soldier from the Emmitsburg district to be killed in action, With all the dignity of her years and charm of her enduring personality, and Miss Lillian Schley, sister of the Lieutenant John Reading Schley, killed in the air service overseas, placed handsome wreaths at the base of the monument. School children also placed flowers at the monument’s base.

Following another selection by the band and benediction by the Reverend P. J. Conroy, C. M., taps were sounding by Roy and Francis Gelwicks.

Emmitsburg was represented by its town officials, Messer. J. H. Stokes, Burgess, Eugene Zimmerman, Francis Matthews, and Charles Keilholtz, Commissioners, and a vast majority of its citizens. From out of town we noted Secretary of State, D. C Winebrenner, States Attorney William M. Storm, State Senator LeRoy McCardell, Mr. A. C. McCardell, President of the Frederick County National Bank, and Mr. Edward S. Delaplaine

The dedicatory prayer it was offered by the Reverend Phillip Bower, followed by the Honorable Emery L. Coblentz’s address, the “piece de resistance” of the program. Mr. Coblentz said in part:

“The memorial will be a sign unto the present as well as the future generations in this community of that spirit and loyalty which characterizes the citizens of every community in this whole land where clear thought and proper ideals are the inspiration and guide of the people. War is a horrible thing, and we are hoping that the day may come when I will be no more, when as a truth the swords shall be beaten into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks; when money, material and sacrifices that are freely given in times of conflict could be use for constructive rather than destructive purposes”

In his peroration, referencing to the American soldier, he said:

“At the close of the war in 1918 it had involved 93% of the world’s population. The countries classified neutral having a combined population of only 130 million, where is the countries which were participating in the war how to combine population of over 1,700,000,000.

To such a task these brave soldiers gave themselves. We honor them today, and this community has honored itself in thus placing in your miss this beautiful testimonial of your love for them and of your appreciation of the service they have rendered; and, as a lasting testimonial, have consecrated this community shrine in honor of those brave men, living and dead, who went from your community to fight the battles of freedom.”

Emmitsburg's World War I Honor Roll

Henry T. Huff's: The Real Doughboys

Ed Houcks': Remembering Some of Emmitsburg's Honored Veterans

Learn more about E. M. Viquesney and the history of his doughboy statue

Read the obituary of a man who posed for a non-Viquesney Doughboy statue