“Missing” Spanish-American War Monument: Found

After I found out about the monument in Soldiers and Sailors Park, I was asked to find, what appeared to be a “missing” Spanish-American War Monument that was also “told” that was in the park.
The story that I was told was that a police officer was passing by the monument and saw some workers, what appeared to be dismantling the monument. The officer, who is a military veteran, was upset about it and took a crowbar from the trunk of his car and pried the cross-shaped brass plaque from the debris. This was told to have occurred in 1968.

Time went by and not to long ago, I was in a local business and was told of the story and the plaque was for sale. I did not purchase it however; a local historian who went to the same business was told the same story and purchased the plaque.
Earlier, I had the success of finding out the information of the circular shaped monument in Soldier’s and Sailor’s Park so, he thought I would be able to find out about this “missing” monument.

I told him that I would. A lot of my research of the park itself was not going to well. Of the pictures I was able to obtain of the park before and after the Custer statue was relocated. I was unable to find any evidence of an estimated six foot obelisk shaped monument that stood in the park.

I was working on this on and off for the last few months and recently started looking more. I have to credit the movies, “The Di Vinci Code” and “Angel and Demons” for giving me new thoughts. In both movies, it was expressed that “things are hidden in plan sight”.

There are three obelisk monuments related to wars within the city limits of Monroe. Two of the monuments, I was able to disregard since they both had nothing to do with the Spanish-American War.

One did standout but “something wasn’t right”. The monument has the plaque that reads, “1898 – 1937 Erected by John M. Gutmann Camp No 8 United Spanish War Veterans”.
The war ended in 1898. It didn’t make sense to have the ending war year at the beginning of the monument.

I have always heard the monument was a Spanish-American War Monument but, from my observation, nothing on it referenced it directly to the war. Just that it was given by the Spanish War Veterans. Which like today, veterans’ organizations have Posts. During that time in history, the Spanish-American War veterans established their respective groups and called them Camps.

I recently took my thoughts to the museum and talked to someone and later I had to call and was told that information about the monument was found in the archives.
I went back and got the information and then went to the library and made copies of the stories. I made copies for the museum archives and for the person who has possession of the plaque for proof of documentation that the plaque belongs on the monument.

I’m not sure of how much of the story of the police officer removing the plaque is true however; it was discovered that the monument was taken partially down by accident.

The monument was partially destroyed in March of 1982 when a company was doing some blasting work to put in sewer lines, blew a side of a section of the monument off.

This may be when the officer happened along and removed the plaque.

The history of the monument. – I will give an edited version since the article is quite long. For those interested in the complete story… It can be found on microfiche at the library dated July 25, 1937.

The monument was erected on the northeast corner of Elm Ave. and N. Monroe St. by the John M. Gutmann Camp No. 8 United Spanish War Veterans of 1898.
It was dedicated on July 25, 1937 and accepted as a gift to the city of Monroe by then Mayor Daniel Knaggs.
On dedication day, the monument was unveiled by Elsie and Margaret Gutmann, daughters of Captain John M. Gutmann.
Capt. Gutmann was the commanding officer of Co. M 31st Michigan Infantry in 1898. While Co. M of Monroe was encamped at Chickamaugua Park, Georgia during the war, Capt. Gutmann died of malaria. It was in his honor that he local camp of the United Spanish War Veterans was named.
The monument was built by Spanish-American War veterans of Monroe, Joseph Palmer (1879-1943) Constructed of stone and concrete, it weighs 20 tons and has a base extending 4 feet below the ground. One side is a plaque with the name of the John M. Gutmann Camp No. 8, United Spanish War Veterans and the dates. On the other side is the emblem of the Spanish War Veterans.
**NOTE: According to the “Report on the origin and spread of typhoid fever in U.S. military camps during the Spanish war of 1898” Page 51, listed Capt. John M. Gutmann died in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Plans to my understanding at this time include re-installing the plaque and possibly a re-dedication.
Please note: I intentionally left names and the business out of this.

I’m sure that more will be in the news paper once everything gets arranged.

UPDATE: The person, who is a known local historican, who wanted me to find where the plaque went to, turned it in at City Hall to be re-installed on the monument however; that is not the case. The plaque is now on display in the display case in the lobby at City Hall. The person has asked for the plaque back to find funds to re-install the plaque back on the monument. – This offer was refused.

I do not know the circumstances for why this has happened. I just look for missing history and wait until the next one comes or I get curious about something.