The Mercer County Historical Society recently received an item that, when paired with a similar artifact already in our collection, reveals a truly intriguing story.

The items in question are two 2'x3' lithographic prints. They are impressive works of art, each one showing a background image of a large monument with the center containing an individualized handwritten statement to honor a veteran, a soldier/sailor who lost their life. The background shows the landscape of a city.

The idea behind these lithographs originated from the G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic), a fraternal organization created so that Union veterans of Civil War could maintain friendships and share memories of their service. The G.A.R. planned to create a national monument called the “Easel Monument" to honor the veterans of the Union Army and Navy who kept alive the flame of patriotism which brought victory during the struggle for the preservation of the Union. It is this monument that is pictured on the lithographs.

The sale of these lithographs was meant to fund the building of the statue, and no two lithographs were the same. They sold well nationwide and locally, and recipients were quite pleased with their purchase. Many were proudly framed and hung on household walls. 

All seemed well until a sad and mysterious happening: All the funds collected from the lithograph sales disappeared. Resultantly, the Easel Monument was never built. Multiple salesmen of one of the chief proponents of the lithograph sale, J. Worth Carnahan, were charged and convicted of misrepresenting themselves as pension agents. Carnahan himself faced no charges.

Where the lithograph money went remains a mystery to this day. Very little information regarding this scandal appears anywhere on the internet from research done by our Society volunteers. It appears that possibly a reasonably-embarrassed G.A.R. used its considerable political clout, power, and funds to quash the story.

Many of these lithographs have not survived the ravages of time having been exposed to sunlight, damp, and improper storage. The two possessed by the Historical Society are in considerably better shape than most. One of them is in almost perfect condition.

Stop in to see these artifacts and many others by visiting your Mercer County Historical Society (Riley House) museum at 130 E. Market St. in Celina, Ohio. We are open Monday and Friday 9-5. Admission is free.