The New Rochelle Pioneer, 6 June 1896
Flowers For “Tom” Paine
His Monument on North Street Was Lavishly Decorated.
Times.
No soldier’s monument in Westchester County, it is safe to say, was more lavishly decorated on Decoration Day than was the monument of “Tom” Paine, that stands on North street, a mile and a half from the village.
Speeches were made under the four great trees that shade the monument, and “Tom” Paine was lauded both as free-thinker and as a patriot. Banners bearing quotations from his works hung in every available place, combined with garlands and flags. The place near the monument where, it is supposed, “Tom” Paine’s body was until it was dug up and carried away, was marked with flowers and flags.
The celebration was under the auspices of the Brooklyn Philosophical Society. A special train of four cars from New York brought the members of the Society and other admirers of Paine to the village.
The ceremony at the monument began at 1 o’clock, Henry Bird, of Newark, presided. Everyone wore a blue ribbon with the words “Third Annual Thomas Paine Memorial at New Rochelle, N. Y., May 30th, 1896.” One banner, larger than the rest, bore the words “Thomas Paine, Author of the American Revolution.”