Memorial to four men that died during the Spanish-American War dedicated
By Dennis Hill
Published in News on May 8, 2016 1:45 AM
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News-Argus/DENNIS HILL
Georgia Bain Reese, left, and her brother J.D. Bain, stand next to a monument erected in memory of members of the Goldsboro Rifles who died during the Spanish-American War
One-hundred and seventeen years ago, T.H. Bain, the captain of the Goldsboro Rifles, made a public plea for a monument to be raised in memory of the four members of his unit who died during the Spanish-American War.
On Saturday, that wish was finally fulfilled.
A monument bearing the names of the four men who died from disease during the war was dedicated in the Bain family plot in Willowdale Cemetery. The project was guided by Eagle Scout candidate Logan Tillman of Troop 581.
Members of the Bain family were on hand to witness the historic event.
"We're really extremely honored that Mr. Tillman not only honored the four men who died but honored Theodore Bain and the Bain family and we're very appreciative as well," said T.H. Bain, great-grandson of T.H. Bain, who came from his home in Florida to witness the event.
"I'm really thrilled it's been brought to fruition and that we are able to honor these men in this way," said his sister, Georgia Bain Reese, who came from her home in Wilmington.
The four men honored on the memorial are: Pvt. Archer C. Hayes, Pvt. Newman P. Jones, Pvt. Charles R. Barnes and Pvt. Thomas R. Edwards. Hayes and Jones died in a Florida camp and Barnes and Edwards died in Havana, Cuba.
Tillman said he chose the project because of its historical importance and because he "wanted to do something different for my Eagle Scout project."
He held a barbecue chicken fundraiser to get the money for the monument and led the project from start to finish. He is the son of Tony and Susan Tillman.
The Rifles were a company of volunteers in the Civil War that was disbanded after Appomattox but resurrected in the 1870s. Bain eventually became its commanding officer.
When war with Spain broke out in 1898, the United States government called for volunteers and many member of the Goldsboro Rifles answered the call. Disease claimed as many men as bullets in the tropical camps and battlefields.
Bain made his request to honor his fallen men in the local newspaper, but nothing was ever done about it -- until Saturday.
"I know that Theodore is looking down from heaven with a big smile on his face," said his great-grandson.