Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-05-29
STATUE & SCULPTOR.
Description Of Mercie's Work and
Personal Notes About Him.
LEE IN THE SADDLE.
Tho Monument Grounds-How They VIII
he Laid Of-The Granite
Pedestal

The spot where Lees monument has
r;sen was waving with yellow-headed
wheat when in the June of 1862 General
Joe Johnston having been wounded at
Seven Pines) Lee was put at the head Of the
army here.
As late as year or two agoi and much Of
tbe country about it was grassy plain. Now
II is laid off into avenues and streets, and
ia almost the centre of The great West.
End Boom" and out from the city the line
! of fashionable houses IS marching, indeed
is already close UP TO the monument
grounds. A. c....,..
| Soidiers' Home and the Exposition hall and
grounds. To the left is Ricmond College,
which during the war was the Louisiana
Hospital: then tolerably capacious college
building now by additions, treble in
size. then separated from Richmond by
marshes and bitches, now in the midst OF
residences and well-paved streets.
Where is now Monroe Park was then a
camp in the western suburbs: where now
are the loveliest residences of Franklin and
Grace streets was then the old field"
VIEW.
From Lees seat in the saddle the view is
of n CITY of homelike but modern and
beautiful dwellings: city looking lovely
indeed. especially IN the early morning
when the first buzz of busy life begins;
when the dew is sparkling upon the foliage
OF the parks and the broad-leated naples
throw over the sidewalks their cooling
shade: but loyeier still on genial after
noon when crowds promenade Franklin
street and extend their walks 20 the moDu-
ment grounds, endowng the grace and
beauty of the picture with the Joy of youth,
with the laughter of merry SPIRITS, and the
sunniness OF temper that belongs 10 the
parade of fashion.
tHE MONUMENT GROUNDS.
What for years past has been known az
"The Allen lot" lies west of Richmond
College aud between the Broad-Strcet road
and PARK avenue extended. 1t is q level
plain of ffty-eight acres and Is upon one
of the greatest elevations In the city,
standing several feet higher than the Capt.
tOl site.
This property has been laid of into ave
nues and streets and IS beng oiered 10 tDe
public rs building lots and large portion
of the Hanover-street front has been sold
AT fine prices, while the franklin and
Grace-street lOts-the most valuable-aIe
Just now being put into the market.
TWO GREAT ANkNDfo'
The general plan Of the division Of the
Allen property contemplates two great ave
nues intersecting ut the point where the
monument il. Around the monument IS to
be a circle having a diameter Of 200 feet.
This Will be beautifed by shrubs and
flowers.
When completed, according TO designs it
will be one of the loveliest spots III this
country. From the midst Of the circle the
monument will rise up TO sight and will be
of easy view at long distances by persons
on Franklin or Broad street or Park ave
nue., a. well as from most points On those
numerous new streets now beng lald OH
still further 10 the westward.
| 1t can be seen on the Hermitage road Tor
| O distance of three miles.
CONTENTION.
There was long contention IN this city
as TO where the monument should be To-
Gated, and there were many persons who
| strenuously opposed putting it upon this
grounds They argued that it would be
absurd to locate it away out in the fields