While cataloging a new donation of Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) materials to the WHC today, we came across this document (2015.028) which includes a newspaper advertisement regarding the death of Pliny F. Rumrill. The article describes the death of Rumrill and the request by his family to have the G.A.R. take charge of the funeral arrangements. It also serves as an all call to veterans to meet the train carrying Rumrill’s body at the Salem train station to accompany it to its final resting place, which would be the memorial circle at what is now the City View Cemetery in Salem. The clipping is attached to the original receipt for placing the ad, which cost .80 cents. “Comrade” is an honorific term used to address fellow members of the G.A.R.-a veterans organization for survivors of the Union Army in the American Civil War. It appears Rumrill rose to the rank of sergeant in the 2nd Wisconsin Calvary, before being mustered out in 1865. By the 1900 census, Rumrill was living with his daughter and son-in-law on a farm near Harrisburg, Linn, Oregon.
Leave A Comment