Memories spring eternal

100 YEARS AGO

(1907)

Hiram Robert Griffith, father of ex-county attorney C.B. Griffith, died Sunday evening at his home, 115 North Judson St. The funeral will be held at the Methodist Church at Uniontown, with burial in Uniontown Cemetery. The body will be taken overland to Uniontown as this was one of the wishes of the deceased. About four years ago Mr. Griffith moved from his farm near Uniontown and has lived in this city since that time. He is survived by his wife; three sons: H.M. Griffith, who lives near Uniontown; C.B. Griffith, the attorney; and William Griffith who travels for the Fowler Packing House. There are seven brothers and three sisters. Acting as pallbearers are Joe Ausman, Col. C.H. Morrow, D.F. Campbell, Judge J.R. Smith, William Sheppard. and Chris Hahn.

75 YEARS AGO

(1932)

William C. Isom, 68, a well-known farmer of the Uniontown neighborhood and formerly superintendent of the county farm, passed away March 18 at the Main Street Mercy Hospital. He was known for his kind, charitable disposition in life and in administering as superintendent of the county farm. The funeral will be Sunday at the Baptist church at Uniontown. The body will lie in state at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Mrs. Ernest Tanquary presided at the meeting of the American Women's Auxiliary in the Legion Rooms. Reference was made to the planting of the five Washington memorial trees leading to the cemetery. The auxiliary has ordered 3,000 poppies for the Poppy Day sale. Mrs. Clyde Gordon is chairman. Mrs. Nora Robinson received the prize for sewing the most carpet rags.

50 YEARS AGO

(1957)

Jack Stapleton of the Konantz Undertaking Co. plans to attend the NCAA basketball finals at Kansas City.

S.A. Ira "Tobe" Schubert is a crew member of the 45,000 ton aircraft carrier "Franklin D Roosevelt" that put on a bombing strafing and rocket firing demonstration for President Eisenhower this week. Before going to the navy he was employed by the Harpster Service Station at First and National.

The Southeast Scott 4-H Club held a successful pie supper at Diamond school house. Entertainment featured numbers to be presented at the County 4-H Day contest

25 YEARS AGO

(1982)

Photo caption: "Floyd Parks, president of Bruce Marble and Granite Works, showed Virginia Johnson, owner of Waters Insurance, and Gary Cantrell, assistant secretary of the Western Insurance Companies, through the plant. The monument company received $22,446 as a refund on the workman's compensation insurance policy it has with the Western through the Waters agency."--Photo by Tom Braker

Note: Reference is made here to Hiram Robert Griffith -- subject in today's 75 YEARS AGO segment. The headline announcing the death of Hiram Robert "Hi" Griffith declared that "he was a man of history."

During the Civil War Hiram Griffith and his brother Myron, now of Iowa, were in the same regiment. Myron was only 15 years of age and one day was picked up by a bully, whom he thrashed. In the battle the other fellow was so badly beaten up that young Griffith was locked up in the guard house. Believing the affair to be more serious than it really was the boy broke from prison and tried to make his way to the Southern army where he was going to enlist. He was captured and sentenced to be shot. Hi Griffith interceded and worked hard to save his younger brother's life and but for his intercession Myron would have been shot. The affair went so far that Myron was led forth and placed on his coffin, the firing squad drawn up and the boy was asked what he desired to say. He told the squad to shoot him through the heart. At that moment a reprieve was received through the efforts of Hi and Myron was saved. All through his life the younger brother looked upon Hi as the man who saved his life--and it was so. This act illustrated the character of the man. He did many things for others and was a citizen esteemed by all who knew him.

_

Editor's Note: Memories Spring Eternal is the expanded version of the Other Years, a feature appearing daily on the editorial page of The Tribune. Interaction is welcome from readers who relate in some way to the chronicled events. Comments may be directed to The Fort Scott Tribune, Box 150, Fort Scott, Kan. 66701.