‘Tales from Pioneers & Soldiers Cemetery’ Archives
Martin L. Nicks, in MN via TB, died, was 1st burial GAR Lot Civil War often set family vs. family, brother vs. brother
TIMOTHY MCCALLThe tombstone of Martin Luther Nicks is a comparison as it usually looks (left) and how it looks when the sun light hits it at the correct angle (right). Tales from Pioneers and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery By TIMOTHY McCALL 157th in a Series Martin Luther Nicks has been something of an enigma, an unknown. Even his marker, which was placed nearly 140 years ago, simply lists him as “U.S. Soldier.” There has been a consistent rumor that he was actually a veteran of the Confederate Army who had been mistakenly buried in the G.A.R. lot. While I”'m not certain of the origin of this rumor, I wouldn”'t be surprised if it was because he was from Tennessee, had lived in Minnesota less than a year before his death and that there were no known records of his service. With the few facts available, it seemed likely that Martin could have fought for the Confederacy. However, as more information has become available, it appears that Martin chose conscience [...]
The origins of Memorial Day in Minneapolis and the G.A.R. Lot at Layman”'s Cemetery
CAROLINE FALKNER, CIRCA 1938 COURTESY OF THE HENNEPIN HISTORY MUSEUMThe Grand Army of the Republic Lot inside the Lake Street Gates circa 1938. Martin L. Nicks, the first burial in the G.A.R. Lot May 28, 2018, will be the 150th anniversary of the first Memorial Day or as it was originally called Decoration Day. It was on May 5, 1868, that General John A. Logan, Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, issued General Order No. 11, which called for “The 30th of May, 1868, designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion”¦ with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year”¦” The late date of the order made any organized celebration in Minneapolis unlikely, and although there were no documented celebrations, it”'s still quite possible that the local members of the G.A.R. made a visit to the city cemetery (Layman”'s cemetery) and [...]
