Several hundred people gathered at the Johnson Cemetery Sunday afternoon for the impressive program given by the Copiah Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, in dedication of a marker at the grave of Daniel Johnson, a Revolutionary soldier.

Two Boy Scouts, Charles McCormick and Dalton Pritchard, headed a procession that formed on the outside of cemetery, followed by Jack England and Hagood Mathis, color bearers for the C. A. R., then members of the D. A. R. and C. A. R. in a body.

Miss Annie Tait Jenkins, chaplain of the D. A. R., read the Ritual. Miss Mary Thomas, Regent, presented the marker which was accepted by Eugenia Moore, of the sixth generation of the Johnson family.

Rev. J. M. Williams, of the Presbyterian church, gave an interesting history of Mr. Johnson, who was born at Hillsboro, S. C. on October 10, 1751, and died January 10, 1854, making him 102 years old when he died. He fought 3 years for American Independence. He was married in Hillsboro, S. C. To this union was born one son, Clark, who is buried beside his father. His weight never exceeded 110 lbs. and he never took a dose of medicine prescribed by a Doctor. This cemetery is located on a part of the original Johnson homestead and is maintained for a burial ground for the Johnson family. There were six generations present for this occasion. The marker was unveiled by Harry Sims and Robert Dickson, members of the C. A. R.

Taps was sounded by Fount Hutchison, Jr.

from the Copiah County News, Hazlehurst, Copiah Co., MS, Thursday October 17, 1935

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Several hundred people assembled on Sunday afternoon in a small secluded family cemetery about three and a half miles east of Crystal Springs for the purpose of attending dedicatory services at the grave of a Revolutionary soldier, Daniel Johnson, who lies buried there.

The Copiah Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution of this city had placed a bronze marker at the graveside honoring this hero of the past.

Daniel Johnson was born in South Carolina in 1751, on October 10; he died at the age of 102 years and some months in 1854, having become a resident of Mississippi some years previous. His descendants remember stories of the war that resulted in the establishment of the United States as told by the old grandfather of a large family living in this vicinity.

The ceremony Sunday afternoon was impressively carried out under the auspices of the Regent and members of the local chapter, D. A. R. In the procession to the grave, two boy scouts, Charlie McCormick and Dalton Prichard, bore the American flag; followed by Hagood Mathis color bearer of the Children of the Daughters accompanied by Jack England. Walter Harper and his orchestra played "America." Miss Mary Thomas, Regent, opened the ceremonies; with Miss Annie Tait Jenkins as chaplain leading in the dedicatory service.

The Rev. J. M. Williams, pastor of the local Presbyterian church, delivered a short address closing with poems by Emerson and Kipling, with the latter's immortal lines of "Lest We Forget." The unveiling of the marker was done by Harry Sims and Robert Dickson, members of C. A. R. Acceptance of the marker was made by Miss Eugenia Moore, a great, great, great granddaughter of Daniel Johnson in an appropriate manner. It is not likely that many graves of Revolutionary soldiers as to be found in Mississippi, so this was a notable ceremony and an unusual one.

from The Hazlehurst Courier, Hazlehurst, Copiah Co., MS, Thursday, October 17, 1935

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The following is the acceptance speech by Eugenia Moore:

" As a great-great-great granddaughter of Daniel Johnson and as a representative of the other descendants of this same Revolutionary soldier, I wish to express our appreciation for the marking of this grave by the Copiah Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. It is gratifying to us to have his memory consecrated by a loyal, patriotic organization, and I wish to thank the Daughters and Children of the American Revolution and any others who have participated in this dedication service."

contributed by Eugenia Moore Williams

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By the rude bridge that arched the flood,

Their flag to April's breeze unfurled,

Here once the embattled farmer stood

And fired the shot heard round the world.

The foe long since in silence slept;

Alike the conqueror silent sleeps;

And Time the ruined bridge has swept

Down the dark stream which seaward creeps.

On this green bank, by this soft stream,

We set today a votive stone;

That memory may their deed redeem,

When, like our sires, our sons are gone.

Spirit, that made those heroes dare

To die, and leave their children free,

Bid Time and Nature gently spare

The shaft we raise to them and thee.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Lord orf our far-flung battle line --

Beneath whose awful hnad we hold

Dominion over palm and pine --

Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,

Lest we forget -- lest we forget!

The tumult and the shoulting dies --

The Captains and the Kings depart --

Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice,

An humble and a contrite heart.

Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,

Lest we forget -- lest we forget!

Far-called our navie melt away --

On dune and headland sinks the fire --

Lo, all our pomp of yesterday

Is one with Nineveh and Tyre!

Judge of the Nations, spare us yet,

Lest we forget -- lest we forget!

If, drunk with sight of power, we loose

Wild tongues that have not Thee in awe --

Such boastings as the Gentiles use,

Or lesser breeds without the Law --

Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,

Lest we forget -- lest we forget!

For heathen heart that puts her trust

In reeking tube and iron shard --

All valiant dust that builds on dust,

And guarding calls not Thee to guard.

For frantic boast and foolish word,

Thy Mercy on Thy People, Lord!

Amen.

Rudyard Kipling

These works of Emerson and Kipling were quoted by Rev. J. M. Williams as part of his message.