Veteran: Spanish-American War
2nd Missouri Volunteer Infantry
h/o Emily Valentine
Chas. P. Wood and Miss Emily Valentine, both well-known young people of this city, were united in marriage on Sunday, at the home of the bride's uncle in Baxter Springs, Kansas. The license was procured at Columbus, Kansas, and the marriage was quietly performed and kept a secret for the reason that there was parental objection to the wedding on both sides. It had been the plan of the young people to keep their marriage a profound secret for a year and then make it known publicly, but it leaked out in spite of their plans. Mr. Wood is a local reporter and well-known in Carthage, being a high school graduate, a prominent member of the Carthage Light Guard, and generally well liked by all that know him. Miss Valentine is also a high school graduate, having been a member of the same Class of 1895 with Mr. Wood. She is a bright, pretty girl, and has a wide circle of friends.
Wood was an 1895 graduate of Carthage High School with Allen McReynolds & Henry Cowgill, same year joined the Carthage Light Guard under command of Captain Carl R. Gray and became employed by the Carthage Evening Press October 1896.
Even after leaving with the Light Guard for military service, Wood continued to file reports with the newspaper back home, telling Carthage about military life under Captain John Ard McMillian until June of 1898, when he filed his last story from the hospital. "We have the best care in the hospital, sleep on cots between real sheets and have a special mess of very decent food", Wood wrote.
It was on July 11, 1898, that Sgt. Charles P. Wood of the Carthage Light Guard died of the ever-present typhoid.
Reportedly, Col W K Caffee was holding his hand when he passed away.
The following excerpt was taken from an interview by the Carthage Press with Rowland Diggs, historian for the 203rd 'Houn Dawg' Retirees Association.
Lying in obscurity in Park Cemetery, a flat marker displays the inscription "Charles Pollard Wood, July 19, 1875-July 11, 1898. Few people are familiar with the story of a 23-year-old Carthage man who served his country until his death.
"Wood was a scholar, athlete and 1895 graduate of Carthage High School who enlisted in the Carthage Light Guard, and advanced to the rank of sergeant within two years. In October 1896, he started reporting for The Carthage Evening Press.
"On May 19, 1898, Wood's company was mustered into federal service during the Spanish-American War as Company A, 2nd Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and set off for Chickamauga, GA. Once in camp, Wood corresponded war updates to The Press. Wood became ill on June 20, with what was believed to be malaria and remained hospitalized in Georgia.
Shortly after Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders stormed San Juan Hill, Wood succumbed to typhoid fever on July 11, 1898 in Georgia. Wood's body returned to Carthage where, on the day of his funeral, July 14, 1898, the body lay in state at the Jasper County Courthouse before a funeral procession, consisting of 4,000 townspeople, accompanied the casket to Park Cemetery.
Why such a large group would pay tribute to a fallen soldier perplexed Diggs.
He surmised that Wood was a military-oriented individual well known in Carthage. Diggs has also been unable to find information on why Wood is the only individual to ever lie in state at the courthouse.
"There are now entries of business on any of the county's books on July 14, 1898, a Thursday, at the courthouse," Diggs said.
On July 15, 1898
"The casket wrapped in a huge flag rested just north of the central juncture of the four halls, and there from 2 o'clock till nearly four, one continuous stream of men, women and children with saddened faces and tear dimmed eyes, filed through the courthouse from east to west for one last lingering look at the face of the brave soldier who had gone to his long sleep."
An excerpt from the funeral address given by Dr. J. W. Stewart and published in The Carthage Evening Press:
This man, so youthful, and yet connected with the great interests of his own nation, but little past a score of years and yet connected with a cause that is world wide, and his name to be recorded where it is never to be blotted out in the thought and affections of men. . .So these Stars and Stripes, these colors about this casket today are simply expressive of the fact that his life was thus connected and shall thus be held and esteemed in the years that are to come."
After his death on the 11th, Wood's body was brought back to Carthage, where it would lie in state in the east corridor of the first floor of the Jasper County Courthouse for two hours. Thousands of Jasper County Citizens filed past to pay their respects, as well as attending the funeral, [conducted by 84 Modern Woodmen, following a parade from the court house to the Methodist church], said to be the largest in Carthage. Wood was buried in Park Cemetery, and for many years afterward, the community Memorial Day Services were held at his grave. The local camp of the United Spanish War Veterans named their camp in honor of him, and their camp flag still bears a fitting tribute to Sgt. Wood.
In April, 2002, through the efforts of Rowland Diggs of the 203rd "Houn Dawg Retirees Association," a monument was placed and dedicated on the courthouse lawn, and I [the author] am proud to say that I played a part in the ceremony.
bio by NJBrewer
2nd Missouri Volunteer Infantry
h/o Emily Valentine
Chas. P. Wood and Miss Emily Valentine, both well-known young people of this city, were united in marriage on Sunday, at the home of the bride's uncle in Baxter Springs, Kansas. The license was procured at Columbus, Kansas, and the marriage was quietly performed and kept a secret for the reason that there was parental objection to the wedding on both sides. It had been the plan of the young people to keep their marriage a profound secret for a year and then make it known publicly, but it leaked out in spite of their plans. Mr. Wood is a local reporter and well-known in Carthage, being a high school graduate, a prominent member of the Carthage Light Guard, and generally well liked by all that know him. Miss Valentine is also a high school graduate, having been a member of the same Class of 1895 with Mr. Wood. She is a bright, pretty girl, and has a wide circle of friends.
Wood was an 1895 graduate of Carthage High School with Allen McReynolds & Henry Cowgill, same year joined the Carthage Light Guard under command of Captain Carl R. Gray and became employed by the Carthage Evening Press October 1896.
Even after leaving with the Light Guard for military service, Wood continued to file reports with the newspaper back home, telling Carthage about military life under Captain John Ard McMillian until June of 1898, when he filed his last story from the hospital. "We have the best care in the hospital, sleep on cots between real sheets and have a special mess of very decent food", Wood wrote.
It was on July 11, 1898, that Sgt. Charles P. Wood of the Carthage Light Guard died of the ever-present typhoid.
Reportedly, Col W K Caffee was holding his hand when he passed away.
The following excerpt was taken from an interview by the Carthage Press with Rowland Diggs, historian for the 203rd 'Houn Dawg' Retirees Association.
Lying in obscurity in Park Cemetery, a flat marker displays the inscription "Charles Pollard Wood, July 19, 1875-July 11, 1898. Few people are familiar with the story of a 23-year-old Carthage man who served his country until his death.
"Wood was a scholar, athlete and 1895 graduate of Carthage High School who enlisted in the Carthage Light Guard, and advanced to the rank of sergeant within two years. In October 1896, he started reporting for The Carthage Evening Press.
"On May 19, 1898, Wood's company was mustered into federal service during the Spanish-American War as Company A, 2nd Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and set off for Chickamauga, GA. Once in camp, Wood corresponded war updates to The Press. Wood became ill on June 20, with what was believed to be malaria and remained hospitalized in Georgia.
Shortly after Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders stormed San Juan Hill, Wood succumbed to typhoid fever on July 11, 1898 in Georgia. Wood's body returned to Carthage where, on the day of his funeral, July 14, 1898, the body lay in state at the Jasper County Courthouse before a funeral procession, consisting of 4,000 townspeople, accompanied the casket to Park Cemetery.
Why such a large group would pay tribute to a fallen soldier perplexed Diggs.
He surmised that Wood was a military-oriented individual well known in Carthage. Diggs has also been unable to find information on why Wood is the only individual to ever lie in state at the courthouse.
"There are now entries of business on any of the county's books on July 14, 1898, a Thursday, at the courthouse," Diggs said.
On July 15, 1898
"The casket wrapped in a huge flag rested just north of the central juncture of the four halls, and there from 2 o'clock till nearly four, one continuous stream of men, women and children with saddened faces and tear dimmed eyes, filed through the courthouse from east to west for one last lingering look at the face of the brave soldier who had gone to his long sleep."
An excerpt from the funeral address given by Dr. J. W. Stewart and published in The Carthage Evening Press:
This man, so youthful, and yet connected with the great interests of his own nation, but little past a score of years and yet connected with a cause that is world wide, and his name to be recorded where it is never to be blotted out in the thought and affections of men. . .So these Stars and Stripes, these colors about this casket today are simply expressive of the fact that his life was thus connected and shall thus be held and esteemed in the years that are to come."
After his death on the 11th, Wood's body was brought back to Carthage, where it would lie in state in the east corridor of the first floor of the Jasper County Courthouse for two hours. Thousands of Jasper County Citizens filed past to pay their respects, as well as attending the funeral, [conducted by 84 Modern Woodmen, following a parade from the court house to the Methodist church], said to be the largest in Carthage. Wood was buried in Park Cemetery, and for many years afterward, the community Memorial Day Services were held at his grave. The local camp of the United Spanish War Veterans named their camp in honor of him, and their camp flag still bears a fitting tribute to Sgt. Wood.
In April, 2002, through the efforts of Rowland Diggs of the 203rd "Houn Dawg Retirees Association," a monument was placed and dedicated on the courthouse lawn, and I [the author] am proud to say that I played a part in the ceremony.
bio by NJBrewer
Veteran: Spanish-American War
2nd Missouri Volunteer Infantry
h/o Emily Valentine
Chas. P. Wood and Miss Emily Valentine, both well-known young people of this city, were united in marriage on Sunday, at the home of the bride's uncle in Baxter Springs, Kansas. The license was procured at Columbus, Kansas, and the marriage was quietly performed and kept a secret for the reason that there was parental objection to the wedding on both sides. It had been the plan of the young people to keep their marriage a profound secret for a year and then make it known publicly, but it leaked out in spite of their plans. Mr. Wood is a local reporter and well-known in Carthage, being a high school graduate, a prominent member of the Carthage Light Guard, and generally well liked by all that know him. Miss Valentine is also a high school graduate, having been a member of the same Class of 1895 with Mr. Wood. She is a bright, pretty girl, and has a wide circle of friends.
Wood was an 1895 graduate of Carthage High School with Allen McReynolds & Henry Cowgill, same year joined the Carthage Light Guard under command of Captain Carl R. Gray and became employed by the Carthage Evening Press October 1896.
Even after leaving with the Light Guard for military service, Wood continued to file reports with the newspaper back home, telling Carthage about military life under Captain John Ard McMillian until June of 1898, when he filed his last story from the hospital. "We have the best care in the hospital, sleep on cots between real sheets and have a special mess of very decent food", Wood wrote.
It was on July 11, 1898, that Sgt. Charles P. Wood of the Carthage Light Guard died of the ever-present typhoid.
Reportedly, Col W K Caffee was holding his hand when he passed away.
The following excerpt was taken from an interview by the Carthage Press with Rowland Diggs, historian for the 203rd 'Houn Dawg' Retirees Association.
Lying in obscurity in Park Cemetery, a flat marker displays the inscription "Charles Pollard Wood, July 19, 1875-July 11, 1898. Few people are familiar with the story of a 23-year-old Carthage man who served his country until his death.
"Wood was a scholar, athlete and 1895 graduate of Carthage High School who enlisted in the Carthage Light Guard, and advanced to the rank of sergeant within two years. In October 1896, he started reporting for The Carthage Evening Press.
"On May 19, 1898, Wood's company was mustered into federal service during the Spanish-American War as Company A, 2nd Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and set off for Chickamauga, GA. Once in camp, Wood corresponded war updates to The Press. Wood became ill on June 20, with what was believed to be malaria and remained hospitalized in Georgia.
Shortly after Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders stormed San Juan Hill, Wood succumbed to typhoid fever on July 11, 1898 in Georgia. Wood's body returned to Carthage where, on the day of his funeral, July 14, 1898, the body lay in state at the Jasper County Courthouse before a funeral procession, consisting of 4,000 townspeople, accompanied the casket to Park Cemetery.
Why such a large group would pay tribute to a fallen soldier perplexed Diggs.
He surmised that Wood was a military-oriented individual well known in Carthage. Diggs has also been unable to find information on why Wood is the only individual to ever lie in state at the courthouse.
"There are now entries of business on any of the county's books on July 14, 1898, a Thursday, at the courthouse," Diggs said.
On July 15, 1898
"The casket wrapped in a huge flag rested just north of the central juncture of the four halls, and there from 2 o'clock till nearly four, one continuous stream of men, women and children with saddened faces and tear dimmed eyes, filed through the courthouse from east to west for one last lingering look at the face of the brave soldier who had gone to his long sleep."
An excerpt from the funeral address given by Dr. J. W. Stewart and published in The Carthage Evening Press:
This man, so youthful, and yet connected with the great interests of his own nation, but little past a score of years and yet connected with a cause that is world wide, and his name to be recorded where it is never to be blotted out in the thought and affections of men. . .So these Stars and Stripes, these colors about this casket today are simply expressive of the fact that his life was thus connected and shall thus be held and esteemed in the years that are to come."
After his death on the 11th, Wood's body was brought back to Carthage, where it would lie in state in the east corridor of the first floor of the Jasper County Courthouse for two hours. Thousands of Jasper County Citizens filed past to pay their respects, as well as attending the funeral, [conducted by 84 Modern Woodmen, following a parade from the court house to the Methodist church], said to be the largest in Carthage. Wood was buried in Park Cemetery, and for many years afterward, the community Memorial Day Services were held at his grave. The local camp of the United Spanish War Veterans named their camp in honor of him, and their camp flag still bears a fitting tribute to Sgt. Wood.
In April, 2002, through the efforts of Rowland Diggs of the 203rd "Houn Dawg Retirees Association," a monument was placed and dedicated on the courthouse lawn, and I [the author] am proud to say that I played a part in the ceremony.
bio by NJBrewer
2nd Missouri Volunteer Infantry
h/o Emily Valentine
Chas. P. Wood and Miss Emily Valentine, both well-known young people of this city, were united in marriage on Sunday, at the home of the bride's uncle in Baxter Springs, Kansas. The license was procured at Columbus, Kansas, and the marriage was quietly performed and kept a secret for the reason that there was parental objection to the wedding on both sides. It had been the plan of the young people to keep their marriage a profound secret for a year and then make it known publicly, but it leaked out in spite of their plans. Mr. Wood is a local reporter and well-known in Carthage, being a high school graduate, a prominent member of the Carthage Light Guard, and generally well liked by all that know him. Miss Valentine is also a high school graduate, having been a member of the same Class of 1895 with Mr. Wood. She is a bright, pretty girl, and has a wide circle of friends.
Wood was an 1895 graduate of Carthage High School with Allen McReynolds & Henry Cowgill, same year joined the Carthage Light Guard under command of Captain Carl R. Gray and became employed by the Carthage Evening Press October 1896.
Even after leaving with the Light Guard for military service, Wood continued to file reports with the newspaper back home, telling Carthage about military life under Captain John Ard McMillian until June of 1898, when he filed his last story from the hospital. "We have the best care in the hospital, sleep on cots between real sheets and have a special mess of very decent food", Wood wrote.
It was on July 11, 1898, that Sgt. Charles P. Wood of the Carthage Light Guard died of the ever-present typhoid.
Reportedly, Col W K Caffee was holding his hand when he passed away.
The following excerpt was taken from an interview by the Carthage Press with Rowland Diggs, historian for the 203rd 'Houn Dawg' Retirees Association.
Lying in obscurity in Park Cemetery, a flat marker displays the inscription "Charles Pollard Wood, July 19, 1875-July 11, 1898. Few people are familiar with the story of a 23-year-old Carthage man who served his country until his death.
"Wood was a scholar, athlete and 1895 graduate of Carthage High School who enlisted in the Carthage Light Guard, and advanced to the rank of sergeant within two years. In October 1896, he started reporting for The Carthage Evening Press.
"On May 19, 1898, Wood's company was mustered into federal service during the Spanish-American War as Company A, 2nd Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and set off for Chickamauga, GA. Once in camp, Wood corresponded war updates to The Press. Wood became ill on June 20, with what was believed to be malaria and remained hospitalized in Georgia.
Shortly after Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders stormed San Juan Hill, Wood succumbed to typhoid fever on July 11, 1898 in Georgia. Wood's body returned to Carthage where, on the day of his funeral, July 14, 1898, the body lay in state at the Jasper County Courthouse before a funeral procession, consisting of 4,000 townspeople, accompanied the casket to Park Cemetery.
Why such a large group would pay tribute to a fallen soldier perplexed Diggs.
He surmised that Wood was a military-oriented individual well known in Carthage. Diggs has also been unable to find information on why Wood is the only individual to ever lie in state at the courthouse.
"There are now entries of business on any of the county's books on July 14, 1898, a Thursday, at the courthouse," Diggs said.
On July 15, 1898
"The casket wrapped in a huge flag rested just north of the central juncture of the four halls, and there from 2 o'clock till nearly four, one continuous stream of men, women and children with saddened faces and tear dimmed eyes, filed through the courthouse from east to west for one last lingering look at the face of the brave soldier who had gone to his long sleep."
An excerpt from the funeral address given by Dr. J. W. Stewart and published in The Carthage Evening Press:
This man, so youthful, and yet connected with the great interests of his own nation, but little past a score of years and yet connected with a cause that is world wide, and his name to be recorded where it is never to be blotted out in the thought and affections of men. . .So these Stars and Stripes, these colors about this casket today are simply expressive of the fact that his life was thus connected and shall thus be held and esteemed in the years that are to come."
After his death on the 11th, Wood's body was brought back to Carthage, where it would lie in state in the east corridor of the first floor of the Jasper County Courthouse for two hours. Thousands of Jasper County Citizens filed past to pay their respects, as well as attending the funeral, [conducted by 84 Modern Woodmen, following a parade from the court house to the Methodist church], said to be the largest in Carthage. Wood was buried in Park Cemetery, and for many years afterward, the community Memorial Day Services were held at his grave. The local camp of the United Spanish War Veterans named their camp in honor of him, and their camp flag still bears a fitting tribute to Sgt. Wood.
In April, 2002, through the efforts of Rowland Diggs of the 203rd "Houn Dawg Retirees Association," a monument was placed and dedicated on the courthouse lawn, and I [the author] am proud to say that I played a part in the ceremony.
bio by NJBrewer
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