February 23, 2021 - VFW Post 8904 and Auxiliary members gathered at the Shelby County Veterans Memorial located at the Historic Shelby County Courthouse on the Center square February 22, 2021 in honor of the USS Maine and its crew.
Larry Hume, Post Quartermaster, spoke to all present and shared with them the history of the USS Maine and the tragedy which was the inception of the Spanish-American War.
"123 years ago February 15, 1898 the USS Maine exploded in the harbor of Havana, Cuba. In that explosion, 266 American crewmen and Marines were lost. Spain was blamed for the explosion and the Spanish-American War began as a result. Less than four months later on August 12, 1898 the United States had won a decisive victory, and this was the first war the United States had ever fought beyond her shores. 3,000 American military were lost, but mostly from Yellow fever and fighting in the jungles of the Philippines. You all remember Teddy Roosevelt of the Roughrider fame. When the war was over, he told his troops as they mustered out, 'Enjoy the next 15 days, because after that you will be forgotten,' and they were. And because of the United States Government's refusal of proper medical care, these veterans banded together in an organization that would eventually become the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. Today we are here to remember the lives lost so long ago in the explosion of the USS Maine and the Spanish-American War that ensued, we thank them for their service, just as we thank our veterans of all wars."
Travis Snider, VFW Post 8904 member, placed the Memorial wreath on the Shelby County Veterans Memorial.
Hume stated Shelby County, Texas has participated in all wars and he has found through research veterans connected to the Spanish-American War. According to Hume, Elijah Webb who was born in Center in 1866, was killed in the Philippines. He voluntarily enlisted at the beginning of the Spanish-American War. Webb was first in Cuba and then was sent to Manila, Philippines with Company H of the 44th U.S. Volunteer Infantry.
"While the Spanish-American War ended in August 1898, the first Philippine Republic objected to the terms under which the United States took possession of the Philippines and fighting continued there until July 2, 1902," said Hume. "During this fighting in the Philippines, Elijah Webb was killed on June 16, 1900, and his body was returned to Shelby County for burial in August 1901."
Hume referenced a Houston Post newspaper article from August 8, 1901, "On the large box which held the metallic coffin was his name, the number of his company and the cause of his death which was stated on the box as knife wound to the head. It went on to say that Leige had many friend here and good crowd witnessed the casket in which rested his remains."
Webb was buried in what was known as the city cemetery, but is now known as the Methodist cemetery located behind the First United Methodist Church on Porter Street.
Others from Shelby County who served and survived the Spanish-American War included Edwin Booth who is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Timpson; Brunson Cline who is buried in Carroll Cemetery; Charles Hudson who is buried in the Corinth Cemetery near Timpson; Charlie Matlock who is buried in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery; and James Mosby Jr. who is buried in Fairview Cemetery in Center.
"Today we can honor these local veterans and all the other forefathers of our great organization by continuing to fight for veterans rights and benefits just as they did," said Hume.
In their honor, Taps was then sounded as presented by Gene Hutto, Post Commander.
