The Memorial Day Painting by R. Farrington Elwell
In 1920 memories of the Great World War were still fresh in the minds and hearts of Dover people and there was a feeling of great patriotism in the land. The following description shows how the town celebrated Memorial Day that year. Copied from the Dover Town Report:
A beautiful spring day with Dover foliage at its very best graced the occasion. At ten o'clock the exercises began in the Town Hall. Rev. Mr.Kendall gave the opening prayer. Then followed music by the Brass Sextette. Mrs. Elwell's brother, Mr. Henry Taylor, leading tenor of the New York Hippodrome, sang 'The Long, Long Trail.' Those who heard him will long remember his fine voice and beautiful rendering of his appropriate selections. Mr. Taylor then sang the words, everyone joining in the chorus, of 'The Battle Hymn of the Republic.'
Dr. William T. Porter, the orator of the day, made a very careful analysis of our present stage of civilization, reviewing the history of our country's wars and our part in the World War, which is technically not yet closed. He then gave the signs of the times which give us hopes for future peace. The keynote was a better understanding among men and among nations.
The chairman, Dr. Emmons, formerly in the Army Medical Corps, told the townspeople that since returning to Dover he had been decorated and that he wore his decoration proudly. He took this public occasion to thank the people.of Dover for the handsome medal which Dover had generously given to all men in the service.
At this point in the exercises an easel, draped with the Stars and Stripes, was brought forward from the rear of the stage, and Miss Hildegarde Porter, who gave years of her life to nursing in France during the war, a member of the Memorial Day Committee, drew back the flag, disclosing a large oil painting.
The Memorial Day Painting by R. Farrington Elwell
The scene typifies Memorial Day, two American soldiers, a sailor, and a nurse grouped about a grave in war-torn France. In the background appears a large caliber cannon, over which flies an aeroplane. On the other side of the canvas is the distant blue ocean, on which is seen a battleship, protected hy two destroyers, and an observation balloon.
The sailor is placing a wreath on the rough wooden cross. A golden glow is radiated about the grave, lighting up the distant cloud in which is faintly seen a winged angel, bearing an olive branch, and in the other hand the Stars and Stripes. The whole is executed with skill and taste, a real creation of art.
Mr. R. Farrington Elwell, the artist, is a resident Dover. For a number of years Mr. Elwell was with William Cody, "Buffalo Bill." Dramatic art, especially life in the open, is his field. Many will recognize him through the cover pictures of the "Literary Digest" and other magazines. Cowboys, horses, animal life in the woods and mountains furnish him dramatic expression of manly adventure and daring exploit. It is this dramatic expression, with careful attention to minute detail, added to a vivid imagination with command of color, which has produced this striking picture. The attention is arrested, the sympathy aroused, pride in our brave dead is kindled.
Mr. Elwell has laid Dover under a heavy debt in this generous gift. We congratulate Dover on its gem. We wish we had an appropriate setting for it in the Town Hall. We also congratulate Mr. Elwell on the excellence of his artistic work and on his happy example of great generosity to his adopted home town. It must be a source of deep satisfaction to him to be able to give such a gift, to create such a permanent monument. Few communities, large or small, are fortunate enough to own such an art treasure.
The announcement of the artist giver was greeted with heartfelt applause. Mr. Elwell, by his quiet good fellowship and loyal good citizenship, has endeared himself to Dover.
Another song by Mr. Taylor, entitled "Let Me Like a Soldier Die," was encored by "Dear Old Pal o' Mine."
After the benediction by Rev. Mr. Wilson, all sang "The Star Spangled Banner." Then the assembly proceeded across the street, before the school, and there planted three trees to the boys who went out from Dover into serviee but did not return. William McHaskell was serving on a mine-sweeper in the North Sea when killed by an accident, May 9, 1919. William Henry Locke died in France, Jan. 3, 1919. George Bernard Preston was killed in action in France, May 3, 1918.
The three trees planted were slips from the Washington Elm in Cambridge. The Arnold Arboretum made these slips, which were later given to Mrs. William T. Porter, who generously gave them to the town for the permanent memorial to our men who died in service.
The first to the right of the school entrance was planted to the memory of William Locke, his mother holding the tree; the one to the left of the entrance, to George B.Preston; the third, opposite the watering trough, to William McHaskell.
It has since been learned that to these three names must be added that of Capt. R. Gorham Fuller, who died Feb. 12, 1919, soon after being discharged from the United States Army.
The assemblage then formed in line, the Dover Post of the American Legion leading with their beautiful silk flag. Mr. Austin S. Kenney, a veteran of the Civil War, in his blue uniform marched with the olive drab legion. Then followed the music, and lastly several hundred men, women and children, all bearing flowers.
Long will linger the memory of that solemn procession, as it slowly approached the cemetery to the sound of the military funeral march.
Around the circle of flags to the unknown dead, the group formed. A short prayer was said, taps was sounded. Back in the distant hills the echo was repeated. These ceremonies were thus concluded, and everyone dispersed to lay flowers by the side of the flag on each soldier's grave.
ARTHUR B. EMMONS, 2d - Chairman,
ROBERT R. KENDALL,
HILDEGARDE PORTER,
Memorial Day Committee.
Jan. 15, 1921