C o n t i n u i n g To P r o u d l y S e r v e C a r r o l l C o u n t y S i n c e 1 8 3 1 $1.00
Thursday, May 21, 2020
freepressstandard.com
The haunting melody of ‘Taps’ continues to be heard By NANCY SCHAAR FPS Correspondent
Taps. We’ve all heard it played on the bugle at the funeral of a soldier. We’ve heard it at the close of patriotic events. We’ve heard it while gathered around the flag pole and saluting our Stars and Stripes. When you hear those simple notes played, as they float over the open air of the quiet cemetery, they bring tears, they bring pride, and they bring gratitude for those who were buried under them. I remember my grandfather, John T. Gatchell, telling me how the simple tune has such meaning for the people of our country, especially for soldiers. He served in World War I in the army. He was from Plum Run, near Bowerston. The tune, for him, always brought to mind the men he served with, that didn’t come home. I’ve heard this story of how they were written and found all of my life. The story has been in magazines, newspapers and speeches for many, many years. When I began researching the story I wanted to find the name of the father and son that were in the story. I was not expecting to find another version of the story of how the tune was actually written. The story goes… A Union officer in the Civil War, Captain Robert Ellison is on the battlefield in Virginia. Heavy fighting had been endured for several days. He discovered a body on the battlefield late in the evening. The dead soldier turned out to be his son. His son had been in the south when the war broke out. He was attending music college. His father did not know that his son had joined the confederate troops along with his classmates from school. In the pocket of the dead soldier, was a piece of paper upon which he had written the notes and lyrics for the haunting melody we know as Taps. The Union Army would not permit the son to be buried with a funeral dirge played because he was a Confederate soldier. Instead, he was permitted one musician. The bugler assigned granted the father’s request to play
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, area American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts are not hosting the traditional Memorial Day services at local cemeteries. No parades will be held and no speeches given. Flags are being placed on veterans’ graves by members of the Legions, VFWs and Boy Scout Troops. While the traditional services are not being held, residents are invited to visit the cemeteries to remember local veterans, read the names on the memorials and to honor those who have served . FPS Photo / Don Rutledge
Jon Rinkes, owner of Rinkes Insurance, purchased banners for the 155 members of Carrollton High School’s 2020 graduating class. He is shown with his daughter, Jillian, who is a member of the 2020 class. She plans to attend Kent State University in the fall and major in Sports Administration and business.
FPS File Photo / Nancy Schaar
Carrollton VFW Post 3301 Chaplain Charles Pearson played “Taps” last November for a Veteran’s Day service at Westview Cemetery in Carrollton.
those notes found in the boy’s pocket. While doing some research for this story, I found numerous articles declaring the story was exactly that, a story. The second story I found about the sad melody was that a bugler during the Civil War thought the tune then used for end of day for soldiers was too bright and not fitting for the signal of the end of day for the troops. Private Oliver Wilcox Norton is said to have played the 24 note tune for the first time. After he did, many other units were interested and the tune was spread quickly and adopted by many units of service. The former end of day signal included the firing of three rifle volleys. But since the rifle shots and drums that accompanied them, could be heard as a sign of attack for their enemies, soldiers and buglers quickly switched their end of day call. Further research says that a version of the tune actually goes back to the 1830’s and was called the Scott Tattoo.
The words that were written so long ago for these simple musical notes were: Day is done Gone the Sun From the Lakes From the hills From the sky All is well Safely rest. God is nigh, Fading light Dims the sight And a star Gems the sky Gleaning bright From afar Drawing nigh, Falls the night. Thanks and praise, For our days, Neath the sun, Neath the stars, Neath the sky, As we go, This we know, God is nigh.
Local business honors 2020 CHS graduates with senior banners Carrollton High School’s class of 2020 was to be the first graduating class to stand in their new school, on the floor of their new auditorium to receive their diplomas. Celebratory hugs and laughter were to happen with their friends. They were supposed to enjoy it all - the musical, spring sports, their senior trip, prom, and all the other great things they should experience during their senior year. But life threw them a curveball with the COVID-19 Pandemic. “So we wanted to do something special for the senior class this year,” said Jon Rinkes, owner of Rinkes Insurance in Carrollton. “We worked with the school administration, the village of Carrollton, and multiple community members to help
honor our seniors. Carrollton High School senior banners displayed in town seemed to be an appropriate way to share with the community just how much we care about our graduates,” Rinkes explained. “It was easy to purchase the banners - however, without the following people dedicating their talents, time and equipment, this would have been impossible,” he added. Rinkes expressed a huge heartfelt thank you to Carrollton Schools administration, Dunlap Photography, Village Administrator Mark Wells, Mayor Bill Stoneman, Chief Bob Ellington, Eick Electric, Richardson
See BANNERS, PG. 3
County has second COVID-19 death By NANCY SCHAAR FPS Correspondent The Carroll County Health Department confirmed last week that a second Carroll County resident has died
from COVID-19. Office Administrator Amy Campbell said the man, who was between the ages of 60 and 69, and resided in Augusta Township, was hospitalized in Columbiana County at the time of his death. As of Friday, May 15, there were 21
confirmed and 4 probable cases of COVID-19 in the county, including 19 who have recovered. The health department is conducting contact tracing and monitoring of those who have been exposed to and may have contracted or transmitted the virus.
Early deadlines COVID-19 by the Numbers are in effect These statistics are as of presstime Tues- ized); 1 that is 20-29 and 1 that is 0-19.
day, May 19. Ohio - 27,106 confirmed cases; 28,952 total; 5,117 hospitalized (1,357 ICU admissions); and 1,720 deaths. Median age is 50. Carroll County - 26 total cases; 21 confirmed cases in Augusta (1), Brown (3), Center (4), East (2), Harrison (5), Loudon (1), Monroe (1) and Rose (4) townships; 3 probable cases (2 in Center and 1 in Loudon townships); 6 hospitalized; and 2 deaths. Recovered: 22. Of those cases, there were 4 that are 80 or older (1 hospitalized, 1 death); 2 that are 70-79; 4 that are 60-69 (4 hospitalized, 1 death); 5 that are 50-59; 6 that are 40-49; 3 that are 30-39 (1 hospital-
more inside
Thirteen are females and 13 are males. Columbiana County - 453 confirmed cases; 126 hospitalized; and 45 deaths. Jefferson County - 61 confirmed cases; 16 hospitalized; and 2 death. Harrison County - 10 confirmed cases; 2 hospitalized; and 0 deaths. Stark County - 610 confirmed cases; 132 hospitalized; and 79 deaths. Tuscarawas County - 272 confirmed cases; 27 hospitalized; and 1 deaths. It is now being recommended for residents to wear masks when they are out in the public or in stores. For more information about COVID-19, please see coronavirus.ohio. gov or carroll-lhd.org.
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Early deadlines will be in effect for the Memorial Day, May 28, issue of The Free Press Standard. Display advertising must be submitted by 10 a.m. Friday, May 22. Classified and legal advertising must be submitted by 4 p.m. Friday, May 22. News items must be submitted by 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 26. Items may be dropped off in the drop box at 43 E. Main St., Carrollton or by e-mail fps44615 @yahoo.com.
obits pg. 4
James Baker, Farm Certified agent with Rinkes Insurance, is shown with his daughter, Haili, who is also a member of the CHS 2020 graduating class. She plans to attend The University of Akron and major in criminology.
opinion pg. 4
sports pg. 6