Nancy Smith, president of the Tyrone Area Historical Society, gave me the tip that the “dough boy” statue, located now in Soldiers Park in Tyrone, was dedicated on this day, May 30, 1921.
As I researched through the pages of The Daily Herald archives, carefully saved on microfilm, never did I realize how important this statue was. As you will read, it marked a very important day in Tyrone history.
Featured in this story of that day, are the actual writings of an unidentified reporter, who shared with readers, the wonderful words recited during a special ceremony and two parades, leading to a stirring tribute to those that gave their lives for our country.
The dedication of the ‘dough boy’ started at 2 p.m. on a beautiful day in Tyrone, PA, on Monday, May 30, 1921.
The Reverend E.M. Morgan gave two stirring addresses at Grandview Cemetery, following two large parades, one in the morning, and the other following lunch in the afternoon. Thousands of Tyrone residents lined the streets to observe. Major General Charles T. Menoher spoke at the unveiling of the ‘dough boy’ statue that afternoon.
From the pages of The Daily
Herald, May 30, 1921
“Tyrone never observed Memorial Day in the manner in which it was so thoroughly and appropriately observed on this day. Whole heartedly the people paid aside every portion of unnecessary work and entered into the ceremonies and parades with reverence and celebration! In every sense of the word, it was a real Memorial Day and one that will not be forgotten.
“It was an encouragement to the soldiers, for they saw, through the efforts of the younger soldiers, that their work will be taken up after they have answered the final roll call, and carried through as they would desire, and that forever, their heroic dead, and service will continue to keep the attention due the men who defended ‘Old Glory’ and offered their lives for this country.”
That afternoon, the ‘dough boy’ monument was unveiled, as a tribute to the men of the Pennsylvania Railroad, who had responded to the call to duty.
According to his daughter, Ardis Rhoades of Tyrone, Charles H. Cassady of Tyrone is the soldier featured on that rock. As a member of the Sheridan Troop, Cassady was marching with his unit, and passed a woman standing on her porch. That woman chose Cassady, to stand and pose for what became the ‘doughboy’ statue.
From the pages of The Daily
Herald, 2 p.m. on May 30, 1921.
“We are gathered here today to dedicate a fitting memorial to the memory of those men from this division of the Pennsylvania Railroad who responded to the call to their country in her hour of need. We would be more fitting and appropriate that the monument to these men should be of rough, native rock from the surrounding mountains and placed on this spot. Where all the travelers who daily pass this great division of the greatest railroad system in the world may see it, and know for what it stands.”
“How eloquent of purpose is this simple, business like figure of the infantrymen, the lowly ‘dough boy’ It is one to whom honor, is due above others in the struggle of many over the enemy. To the memory of those who fell facing the enemy, this monument shall stand as an enduring tribute.”
Remember the ‘dough boy’ as you pass by Soldiers Park this weekend.
And remember all the men and women who fought, and contributed to the wars fought to protect us, and keep freedom alive.
