The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1878-12-11

LAYING THE CORNER STONE
OF LEE MAUSOLEUM.

name awakens sympathies In South
ern hearts, such that no other can
approximate, cave that Of his "twin
brother in fame, Jackson. This
great hero, and well may he be call
ed a hero, was born on January 19,
1907, and after endearing himself to
the hearts Of his friends. and proving
himself formidable foe, died at his
residence in this place October IL.
1870. In the early part of the late
civil strife, he attained the position
of Commander-in-C Chief of the Con-
federate forces, and during the SER
vices he rendered to his country in
that capacity, he displayed the cour-
age and fortitude which attached
him so warmly to the hearts OF the
advocates of the "lost cause"
His body. after death, was placed
in a vault beneath the Washington
and Lee University chapel, which
was planned and erected under his
direct dictiOns. Beside him rest the
bodies of his wife and daughter,
EleaDor Agnes. Their tombs as they
stand are void of snowy ornamental
tions and of great simplicity. But
these are all destined at 10 far dis
tant day to be removed to the per.
manent vault Of the Lees in the Lee
Mausoleum which Is now being erec
ted under the supervision of the Lee
Memorial Association. The Mauso-
leum is situeted at the southern end
OF the chapel. The basement will
be of gray limestone, about twenty
five by thirty feet, with an entrance
(arched) in the western side. The
basement contains the family vault
consisting Of about twenty -four cells.
The building is to-day the same
height as the chapel. The roof will
be OF iron. making the entire edifce
fre.proof. The upper floor will be
connected with the main hall of the
chapel by glass sliding doors. This
room will contain the renown recum-
bent Ggure Of Gen. Lee. The idea
of recumbent figure of Lee was
first proposed by Mrs. Lee. This
figure is the work Of Dir. Edward Y.
Valentine Of Richmond, and certain
ly reflects great credit and honor up.
on his reputation, 1t is trife lar
ger than life size, being about Ave
feet high. 1t is cut from a single
block of pure white marble and rests
upon S block of the same material.
His feet are crossed, one hand lying
by his side and near the hilt of a
sword, the other resting quietly up
on his breast, his head and shoulders
are slightly elevated, Most Of the
figure is mounted. It. is more sugs
gestiVe of calm repose than death.
The figure has oeen at Lexington
for several years, but Gs it is against
Mr.. Valentines wishes, it has never
been unveiled. The unveiling will
take place when the Mausoleum is
ready for its reception, which is sur
missed to be next fall.
At IL o'clock to-day vast assem-
bly, OF people had gathered in the
chapel, and J. J. While. Professor
of Greek, announced the object of
the meeting. A prayer was offered
by Gen. Lees chaplain, Rev. w. n.
Pendleton, d. D., after which r. E.
Withers, U. S. Senator Of Virginia,
made short speech upon Lee and
his twin brother, Jackson" The
audience then abandoned the chapel
and repaired to the east side of the
building to witness the
LAYING OF THE CORNER STONE.
Hon. j. Randolph Tucker, Member
of Congress, addressed a few re-
marks to the audience, introducing
the "comrade at West Point and
lifelong friend of Gen. Lee" Jos. E..
Johnston. Gen. Johnston made a
few remarks confirming the state
ment Of Tucker, and then proceeded
10 place the articles in the zinc box
to be cemented in the corner stone.
Among others were records of the
Lee Memorial Association of which
Gen. j. is now president. A letter
from Gen. Geo. Washington, dated
June, 1898, to the College, donating
$4,000 to the same. List of Lib
erty Hall volunteers, Catalogues of
the Institution before and after it
assumed the name of Washingto n
and Lee University. Copy of the
Southern Collegian, containing an
account of Gen. Lees Journal. Per
sonal "Reminiscences of Gen. Lee.
1873. Jones' "reminiscences of Lee.
Copy of COllegian for October and
November. 1878, and collection of
United States coins. After deposit
ting these the benediction was pro
nounced by DR.. PendIeton.
Three cheers for old Joe. Johns
ton" was heard and the masculine
portion Of the crowd responded
heartily with loud yells, while the
| Ii, ;o,-ov,eIr, clapDad their hands