Echoes from the Civil War Era May 16 at Moline Library

From Quad-Cities Online: Echoes from the Civil War Era May 16 at Moline Library
MOLINE -- Five impersonators of Riverside Cemetery residents who lived during the American Civil War will speak about their lives and their wartime experiences at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 16, at the Moline Public Library, 3210 41st St., Moline.

The 19th Century cast of characters and their impersonators will be:

Nehemiah 'Nick' Zeigler 1848-1919 played by Bob White -- Nick was the youngest of seven brothers who all fought for the Union and was only 16 when he enlisted. After the war he became a skillful and highly recognized blacksmith.

Helen Davenport Whipple Reed 1815-1881 played by Dorothy White -- Born and well educated in the East, Helen moved to Moline and during the Civil War she organized the Moline Ladies Aid Society which raised supplies and funds for wounded soldiers and hospitals. Most of these supplies were sent to the United States Sanitary Commission, a national relief organization that helped save the lives of thousands of soldiers.

Elizabeth 'Eliza' Smythe Manley 1836-1885 played by Kathleen Seusy -- An Irish immigrant, Eliza's husband James fought for both the South and the North while she managed to flee their farm near Memphis and get herself and her two small children safely back to family in Rock Island.

Dr. Henry F. Salter 1815-1882 played by Dennis Harker -- Salter was Moline's first physician and also served as a surgeon in the Civil War. Discharged due to ill health, Salter was also one of the doctors who went over to help with the smallpox and pneumonia epidemic amongst the Confederate prisoners in early 1864.

"The Unknown" played by Ann Boaden -- Next to the Soldiers Monument on the hill at Riverside is a small white marker dedicated to the "Unknown" by a woman's group. Ann will describe the building and dedication of the monument in 1883 and offer a eulogy for all 'war dead, with a rendering of "Taps," a piece of music that was composed during the Civil War.

In addition, Shaun Graves will show pictures from Riverside Cemetery including actual stones of the people portrayed at the program and the Civil War Soldiers Monument.

The free program is open to all ages. Register at the Reference Desk at the Moline Public Library, phone (309) 524-2470, or e-mail reference@molinelibrary.org