Georgia:  Elbert County, News:  Looking back at the Inauguaration of
William Howard Taft
January 1976
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This file was contributed by:
Chandler Eavenson
http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00030.html#0007294

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History

The following article, authored by Herbert Wilcox, appeared
in the Elberton Star newspaper in January, 1976:

"Mid Snow, Sleet - Elbertonians March at Taft Inauguaration. 

"Elbert Countians who plan to attend the inauguration of 
Jimmy Carter may find their visit to Washington much more
confortable if they consider what happened when citizens
of our county attended inauguration of William Howard Taft
who succeeded Teddy Roosevelt. That was in 1909 and the 
ceremony was held on March 4, which was about six weeks
nearer Spring than January 20, the date being used this 
year, and the Elberton Light Infantry went up to march in
the parade. The Elberton Star - not to be confused with 
the Washington Star - had the following account of the 
departure of the company: 

"Elberton will be well represented at the inauguration of 
President Taft Thursday. This afternoon the Elberton Light
Infantry, about 40 strong, left in a special sleeping car
over the Seaboard for Washington City. The company was able
to make this trip by virtue of C. W. Parker who raised
nearly $400 for the purpose of paying the expenses of the
soldier boys."

"Mr. Parker raised the money by soliciting donations from 
citizens and business concerns, and it turned out to amount 
to more than $400. The financial report showed a total of 
$464.75, and listed the following expenditures: 'Sleeping 
car for four days, $100; postage and printing badges, $34.13;
transportation, $330.62.'

"Local weather for the past few weeks should prevent Elbert 
county folks, who expect to go to Washington next week, from
making the mistake our soldier boys made in 1909. It was a 
beautiful Spring day when they left home and they dressed
accordingly. The Star said: 'Some of them wore lowquartered 
shoes and left their overcoats at home. When they got to 
Washington and marched in the parade, snow and sleet and slush
was six inches deep, and the cold was blizzarding away.'

"The Star added; 'No fears are entertained for the boys 
because of the experience. Their forefathers marched and 
fought under similar conditions in the wars of our country.'
One story told by the boys after their return from Washington
showed they didn't let the 'blizzarding' get them down and
that rather unusual methods were sometimes used to overcome
it's effects. The tale says one of the men bought a whole
pot of coffee from a street vendor, and poured the hot 
contents on his feet. This is a remedy that probably won't
be available under present coffee prices. 

"The Star of March 2, 1909 gave the following list of the 
members of the Elberton Light Infantry who marched in the 
parade when Taft was inaugurated: Captain, John C. Reese;
Lieutendants, George Loehr, J. E. Kelley; first Sgt., J. H.
Hulme; Corporals R. L. Carpenter, G. A. Wyche, O. R. Walker;
Privates, S. J. Adams, Herbert Kay, Cliff Swearengin, J. H. 
Sayer, Dr. D. N. Thompson, F. H. Walker, Foster Simpson, Harry
Black. H. V. Hall, R. R. Simpson, G. Burden, J. O. Roberts, 
O. F. Mattox, Jim Rice, Otis Clark, J. W. Hall, A. G. Vaughan,
Sidney Israel, R. G. Cosby, A. N. Drake, R. B. Roberts, W. H. 
Roberts, Jr., W. C. Kinnebrew, Claude Barnwell, J. B. Bell. 

"Civilians who also went to Washington for the inauguration
were listed as J. H. Mashburn, J. L. Strickland, B. L. 
Wansley, C. W. Parker and Mrs. Parker, Mr. and Mrs. W. G. 
Fortson, Mrs. C. H. Allen, Miss Zelma Allen."

[Submitted by: Chandler Eavenson]