Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-05-16


called to the chair as president of the
meeting and Major Minor Meriwether
selected as secretary.
General Gordon, Of the Monumental
Committee, arose and stated the object
OF the meeting to be totake into consider
alton the decoration Of graves at Elm
wood, and be moved that no Grafton be
delivered or street display take place.
but that the celebration should be a hjral
tribute to the memory of the dead.
REPORT OF II MONUMENTAL COMMITTEE
Captain L. B. Mcfarland, of the Mon
umental Committee, added that the
meeting had been called at the instance
Of the Monumental Committee, which
was appointed about twelve months ago
by the Confederate Relief Association to
act in concert with the Ladies' Monu.
mental Association. The committee
was composed Of Messrs. G. W. Gordon,
Cotton Green, W. F. Taylor, W. A.
Goodman and himself (Mr. l.. B
McFarlsnd). Colonel Taylor at that
time was Secretary and Treasurer
of the Ladies Monumental Associa-
ton. The committee met Immediately
on being selected, and resolved that the
first thing in order was to collect the out.
standing fund which had been loaned
out by the Ladies' Monumental Associa.
ton, and for which was held the promis
sorry note of the makers, given about
eleven years before, and in consequence
its collection was barred by the Ltatute
Of limitations. The committee con
cluded that this fund ought to be col
lected, If possible, and before they could
ask the public for another cent They
then urged the party who was responsible
for the amount Of the note Colonel A.
J.. Kellar) TO pay the amount, aud noti-
fed him # the note was not paid, the
committee would make public announce
ment as to the condition Of the fund on
Decoration day (l875). On Decor
alton day Colonel Taylor came to him
Captain McFsrland) and stated that
Colonel Kellar had said hat the money
was ready on call. BE Captain McFor-
land) made that announcement pub.
licly. Next day General Gordon called
the committee together and had seen
Colonel Kellar in the meantime, and he
informed the committee that a mistake
had been made in the announcement, as
Colonel Kellsr had informed him that he
would pay the amount in thirty days.
The committee determined that the
money was needed Immediately, but they
gave written notice to Colonel Kellar
that it would be called for in thirty days.
1t ran on to forty.6ve days, September
18th, and was not paid. A new propo-
sition was then made to the committee
to pay part cash and execute notes for
the balance. with interest, payable as the
amounts we're needed. The committee
proposed that if Colonel Keller would
give two notes for principal and interest
due, with good security, that the PROPOSE
ton would be considered. Since that
time part Of the amount was paid to
General Gordon in installmeuts, and
during the past few days the second bal.
ance Of principal due has been paid, and
a promise has been given to give notes
for the interest due. THE principal paid
amounts to SlO69, and the interest due
amounts to SlO1s,l This leaves nothing
due but the interest.
Captain Mcfarland added that it had
been determined by the committee to
get the ladies interested in the matter,
and many of them had expressed them,
selves as ready to assist in increasing
the fund by extending their aid in any
manner desired. The committee en-.
deavored to secure an orator and lad
written to Senator Lamar OF Mississippi,
Mr.. VOORHEES, of Indiana, aud Judge
Sneed Of Tennessee, hut were unable to
secure the services Of either gentleman
at the time. The committee then r
solved to submit to the present meeting
three things: "First-to 60 ahead and
appeal 10 the people for contributions.
Second-thAt no street parade or Grafton
be had on Decoration Day. Third-to
give a picnic or get the ladies to give q.
festival, as the Grat of a series Of enter,
tainments for the purpose Of adding to
the fund"
Captain Mcfarland went on to state
that Colonel Kellar proposed to give two
notes for the interest due--one for $500
and the other for $57S-payable respec.
lively in nine aud twelve months.
General Gordon stated hat he believed
that Colonel Kellar would execute the
notes as promised, and that they would
be paid. If the notes were secured BIZ
indoraera the committee could raiea thnai
face value Of them Immediately.
The committee submitted the follow.
lowing statement as TO the fund on hand
frOm Colonel Taylor, Secretary and
Treasurer:
1875.
April 1-Balance Of cash on hand c,.sl,l4s 40
May q NET proceeds Of pienicsr".~" S9o y
1876.
February l-Interest 10 date .............. III g
April-Amount collected on note for
fund loaned out, being total princi- a
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