Posted: Monday, September 3, 2012 8:00 pm

The Gen. Otho French Strahl Camp 176, Sons of Confederate Veterans, conducted its monthly meeting recently at the Obion County Museum on Edwards Street in Union City.
The meeting opened with Commander Danny Isbell leading the pledge to the U.S. flag and the Sons of Confederate Veterans flag salute. Chaplain Mike Alexander led the opening prayer.
Lt. Commander John Abernathy gave a very interesting program about the Beckham family murders that took place in Obion County on Aug. 8, 1863, by contraband slaves being kept on Island No. 10 in the Mississippi River acting under orders of the Union command. Grandfather, father and four of the Beckham children were murdered while the mother and three other children were away visiting in Owensboro, Ky. The bodies were later interred in the Old Eastview Cemetery in Union City, where a headstone describing this atrocity still exists.
Commendation certificates and medals for compatriots Hamilton Parks and Bill Foster given at the National Reunion in Murfreesboro and accepted by Danny Isbell were presented by Isbell at the meeting.
Members were updated on the cleanup of the Chambers-Holman Cemetery across the road from Memorial Gardens. Another work day is needed to complete this project.
The organization is waiting on further information regarding the hosting of a Tennessee Scenic Views display at the Obion County Public Library. If arrangements can be made, there will be 23 pictures displayed of Tennessee views to be preserved for future generations to enjoy.
There were 14 members and eight guests in attendance.
Alexander closed with prayer.
The Sons of Confederate Veterans is the nation’s largest Southern heritage, history and honor organization open to all male descendants of a Confederate soldier who served honorably in the War for Southern Independence.
For more information, call 1-800-MYSOUTH or visit the website SCVCAMP176.ORG.

Published in The Messenger 9.3.12