Let’s travel back to a time when Tyrone was still growing, the railroad had been here about 40 years, and as it still is today—Tyrone was proud of its military. This article was compiled from three newspaper clippings about an event celebrating this national pride. An article from 1963 had been compiled from a scrapbook of Dr. W. H. Flenner but never mentions the reason for the celebration. An article from 1987 by Fred McCoy states it was to welcome veterans returning from the Spanish-American War. The third article was by Edgar Keys and describes more of the behind-the-scenes preparations.
A flag the size of a battleship
The community of Tyrone attracted statewide attention on August 20, 1898, when it welcomed veterans returning at the end of the Spanish-American War with the “largest American flag ever made” (as it was advertised at that time), being unfurled across the gorge between the Bald Eagle and Brush Mountains. It spanned the distance at 600 feet above the mainline tracks of the Pennsylvania Railroad, the Juniata River and the highway that is now 453. The entire celebration was conceived, prepared for, and successfully staged within a brief period of seven weeks.
The handmade 60 by 100-foot 45-star flag cost about $400 to make and very little trouble was experienced in raising the funds. It was made on a gigantic wooden frame, the sewing performed by various women’s organizations in the borough. The stitching of the starred section was completed separately, and transferred to the main unit to be sewn in place. So massive was the project that the work had to be performed outside in an area adjacent to the First Methodist Church, Logan Avenue and 12th Street. The operation drew intense interest as the project gained momentum, and when the last section of the flag was sewn into place, a brief ceremony was held. The flag was folded and presented to the committee responsible for the dedication.
Special trains, a mile-long parade
Thousands of people from Pennsylvania made the pilgrimage to Tyrone on that big day. Special trains brought in visitors as well as national, state, and county dignitaries to take part in the parade, the ceremonies, and patriotic oratory, and to observe Tyrone ornately decorated for the occasion. Coverage of the event appeared on the front page of leading newspapers throughout the country.
The community’s war contingent consisted of 45 officers and men from the local Sheridan Troop Armory led by Captain S.S.W. Jones. They fought in Puerto Rico under the command of General Nelson A. Miles and all returned safely.
Tyrone Council 43 of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics originated the idea for the spectacular welcome, and other civic and patriotic societies helped implement it. William T. Henderson was the general chairman of the committee and Augustus Harr was secretary. Among the prominent men of the community who assisted in the celebration were Dr. W.H. Edwards, Major F.M. Bell, G.C. Boecking, Charles H. Traynor, J.H. Hiller, Captain T.M. Fleck, Prof. E.E. Houck, T.T. Shirk, H.F. Copelin, Carey H. Russell, Lieutenant R.A. Zentmyer, J.S. Smith, J.A. Loudon, Thomas L. Coleman, and G.G. Grazier.
The parade, composed of units from Tyrone, Huntingdon, Altoona, Osceola Mills, Scotia, Spruce Creek, Alexandria, Hollidaysburg, and Huntingdon Furnace with Dr. C.M. Ewing as parade marshal, marched through the many borough streets. The entire town was gaily decorated in flags and bunting. Organizations participating in the parade included the Grand Army Post of Tyrone, Continental Drum Corps, twenty men on bicycles gaily decorated, Young Men’s Marching Club from Altoona, Alexandria Marching Band, Knights of Malta, Forest City Band of Scotia, Spruce Creek Band, Tyrone City Band, a float representing the ship Merrimac which had bottled up the Spanish fleet in Santiago Harbor, Neptune Fire Company, Friendship Fire Company, Citizens Fire Company, Boy’s Brigade of Hollidaysburg, the town council, and guest speakers.
The unfurling
The parade was nearly a mile long and started shortly after noon, passing over various streets of town, then down 10th Street to Woodland Avenue at the mouth of the gorge where a cannon was fired. W. T. Henderson signaled for the 300-pound, wrapped flag to be unfurled by pulling a long rope. The flag had been suspended from a quarter mile of half-inch steel cable stretched between the two mountains. In almost total silence, the huge banner unwound itself and billowed in the brisk breeze blowing through the mountain passage. At that point, the great throng burst into a cheer and the combined bands struck up the “Star Spangled Banner” while the assembled crowd sang lustily. The principal addresses were made by T.H. Murry, esq., Rev. C.D. Spangler, and William L. Pascoe, esq.
After the exercises, the crowd returned to the central section of town where entertainment of all kinds was provided. Starting early in the evening the special trains from east and west began to gather their passengers. However, according to the account of the affair, many people were left stranded in town overnight because of lack of transportation.
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