Naval Association she was instrumental in establishing the nation-wide practice of strewing flowers upon the waters in memory of the United States sailors and marines. She was deeply interested in the history of Fort St. Clair and secured hundreds of signatures to the petition presented to the General Assembly of Ohio for the purchase of the site of this old fort and the scenic grounds immediately surrounding it. In her last hours. it was a source of great satisfaction to her to know that the General Assembly of Ohio had acted favorably in response to this petition. She took a prominent part in the St. Clair celebration of November 6, 1922, fully described in this issue of the QUARTERLY. In a letter to the writer she expressed her great satisfaction with the ceremonies and declared that the day had been one of the happiest of her life. The portrait published with this sketch is from the photograph of a group taken on that occasion just before the unveiling of the monument. The following resolutions, adopted by the Preble County Historical Society, were read by its Vice-President, Major William H. Ortt, at her funeral: WHEREAS, The Preble County Historical Society, especially assembled in formal session, sorrowed and reverent because of the death of Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Reynolds, Charter Member and Secretary of said Society, and because of desire to formulate a heartful expression of the appreciation and emotion of the love and loss of said Society in the passing of a member so faithful, efficient and beloved and so distinguished in life and death, We, the members of said Society do hereby affectionately and reverently resolve That Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Reynolds was superlatively endowed for her superior efficiency in her said membership in that she possessed a profound and fervent delight in all the manifold memories, recorded and traditional histories of the daring adventurers who first ventured into the then further frontier, and of the struggles and simplicities, comedies and tragedies, exploits, trails, forts, battles, woodland-clearings, log-houses, mementoes, and the conspicuous personalities of the Preble primevals. That her happy proclivities were such that despite the infirmities of years she remained ever eager and alert in her desires and delights to obtain and retain for Preble posterity all the pioneer history and all objects and mementoes and insignia illustrative. That we are pleased to record that she was familiar with Preble history, was highly entertaining in her mentions of the local love, legends and myths current among the early settlers as to singular omens and ghostly forms, chief of which fantasies was that of a headless man riding a white horse on moonlight nights up and down the vales near Fort St. Clair. Her local loyalty, knowledge of relics and historical insigna, and her enthusiastic inspirations were all highly helpful and strongly stimulative in the organization, ambitions and attainments of the Preble County Historical Society. She was most sincerely enthusiastic in her admiration and reverence for the soldiers and naval sailors of Preble. She rejoiced in their valor and victories and highly prized their trophies. She was active and influential in the annual military memorial at Mound Hill Cemetery and her loving initiative established the special memorial in honor of our naval heroes, one of whom was her beloved husband, Roddie Reynolds. This special memorial was a beautiful performance of strewing garlands and flowers in the waters which flow between the Eaton of living and Mound Hill, the Eaton of the dead. Her home contained many historical attractions and in these precious possessions she found great fascination. She was most fervent in her local, state and national patriotism and the members of this Society and many citizens concur that no Preble countian ever surpassed her persistent patriotism. She was most happy in her hopes and forceful in her activities for the acquirement of a beautiful picturesque tract of land surrounding Fort St. Clair and the sacred burial spot of the fallen heroes, and on the delightful day of the dedication of the monument, there recently erected, she donated a beautiful wreath, lovingly encircled it over the monument and donated and unfurled from the staff near by a very beautiful flag which this day floats in the gentle breeze. A few days before her death she was most joyous when informed that through the liberality of the state Vol. XXXII-35. this loyal public would ever especially enjoy the St. Clair park of seventy-seven acres embracing the site of Fort St. Clair, the battle field, burial place, and the scenic lands surrounding. The old flag of thirteen stars and many scars, which now drapes the form of our darling dead, she greatly prized on account of the hallowed remembrances thereof to herself personally relating. This old flag was her talisman; it tenderly thrilled her patriotic and friendly heart. Be it resolved, That this resolution be spread upon the minutes of this Society and that copies thereof be delivered to her daughter, Mrs. Nellie Reynolds Eastman, and her son, L. C. Reynolds, of Baltimore, Maryland. In her will Mrs. Reynolds left to the Ohio State Archæological and Historical Society her collection of early Ohio newspapers and her decorated chinaware illustrative of local history, chiefly of scenes and incidents relating to Fort St. Clair. PATRIOTIC MEETING AT THE LOGAN ELM On the afternoon of June 13 a very interesting meeting of the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution was held under the spreading branches of the Logan Elm. The principal address was delivered by Honorable Simeon D. Fess, junior United States Senator from Ohio. In his opening remarks he commended very highly the work of patriotic societies and the Ohio State Archæological and Historical Society in marking places of historic interest in Ohio. He spoke of the educational value of contact with the past through the association of place and material things relating to men and incidents of other years. We have a livelier interest in an achievement of the long ago when we stand upon the very spot that it has immortalized. He commended also in strong terms the effort of the Society to collect the trophies and relics of Ohio history. Senator Fess then delivered an eloquent address on the origin and achievements of the government of the United States. He paid a glowing tribute to the Revolutionary fathers and the framers of our institutions. This he followed with a survey of the progress under our republican form of government. His address was received with frequent applause by the attentive and appreciative audience. Mr. Henry Williams recited the famous message of Logan to Lord Dunmore. Mrs. Orson D. Dryer spoke briefly and effectively paying a fine tribute to the Indian chieftain Cornstalk whose village was within sight of the Logan Elm. Two poems, one by Mrs. Rachel E. Hughes and one by Colonel W. L. Curry, were read. They are as follows: OUR PATRIOT FOREFATHERS BY COLONEL W. L. CURRY Today around this Logan Elm, With wonted zeal burn Freedom's fires; Today we crown anew the sword Ánd musket of our patriot sires; And down Time's vistas seems to come, And as the mists of Time dissolve, We catch the glint of blade and gun, Replete with actions of renown, : The little band in homespun suits, To whom our ancestry we trace They heard the call of Paul Revere — His rousing cry: "To arms! to arms!" Hail to the men that made us free! Hail to the stainless swords they drew: Forgetfulness of men so true; Their deeds will live while grandly waves Above their scattered, sacred graves, From mountain height to ocean strand. UNDER THE AGED LOGAN ELM BY RACHEL E. HUGHES Beautiful tree how well you have fared, Have you been lonely, have you shed tears? For this page is written for you to hear. As a bit of God's handiwork, stately and grand You're here where he placed you and secretly planned To give you a place in His hall of fame, Are you not proud of the honor, proud of the name, Yes, days long ago, but somehow 'tis sweet I see him back in the same old way. |