South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1890-06-06
LEE I'm 'eRoNzE.
Tho Equestrian Statue OF the
Great Hero Unveiled.
"A Mighty 0utpouring Of tie
Southern People.
Eight Thousand Confederate Vet
Grams in Line-A Never to be-
Forgotten Day in Rich
mond.
A VAST DEMONSTRATION.


The Lee Statue was unveiled at
Richmond Thursday, 1t was the
greatest day in the history of the CT
ty. Such a'vast concourse Of people
as thropged the streets OF the former
capital OF the Confederacy was never
before seen in any city sJuth Of Ma
son and Dixon's line. IL seemed as
though the whole southern people had
assembled to do homage TO the mem.
DRY of Americas greatest man. Its
thought that the number Of strangers
present wns over 100000, including
scores Of military o-ganizal atoms from
]. all over tho Soe;h, and a few from
New York. The number Of Con fede
rate veterans In attendance was some.
I. thing over 5000. The day was ell
that could be desired-bright and
sunsbiRy, but not oppressively hot !;
and tho pleasant weather coupled
with the brilliant uniforms Of the mil /.
itary, the profuse and tasteful deco
ration of nearly all the buildings in
the city, The playing of banda, the
waving oil banners. the mortal music
OF flies and drums, the moving masses
ofsoldiers add 'cirizeus that filed to
OVERT wing the strce.s and squares
OF Virginia's capital, made up scene
of beauty and grandeur that will ne
yer be forgotten by those who saw it.
An immense assemblage gathered on
thelpIain around the statue 10 wit
ncse the unwilling. So great was
tho concourse of people. that the eye
could barely define the limits in some
directions. Il was O vast multitude.
The monument rises sixty feet above
the ground, and is 30 conspicuous an
object that i, can be seen for n mile
or more. On approaching it by the
Franklin street route it seems TO fill
The perspective. by all the avenues
people assembled slowly from the
morning hour until the unwilling WAS
over. Stands were provided for spec.
tators on the sides Of the aveBues.
The stand provided for the unwilling
ceremonies was placed about hun
dred feet from the monument. The
Lee family was represented on the
standby VIM Fl f ,Lee,known'as Roo
ney Lee, sOp OF Gen. Robert f..
Lee; Mrs. w. Fl. +. Lee and their
sons, Robert L. Lee and & Gorge Boil
ing Lee, two manly youths; Miss Ma
ry Lee and Miss Mildred Lee daugh-
ters OF Gen. Robert +. Lee; ex-Gov.
Filzhugh Lee, hts nephew, Mrs. Lee
and their daughter, a youhg fady, G..
w. Custis Lee, the other son Of Gen.
X. K. Lee, WAS unable TO leave Iris
home, ut Lexington, on account OF
sickness.
READY PLEAsANTRIBs.
Among the friends by whom The
party was surrounded were Generals
Heth, Wilcox, KershAw, Payne Rug
giles and Others. A central figure vas
Gen. Joseph T.. Johnston, who IN
yelled the statue. Gen. Ju5al Early
came on amidst cheers from the
crowd, wearing q sLeelsgTay suit with
black lasting buttons and a flowing
white beard. Having ready pleas.
antryfor all who greeted him, lex Gov.
Lee took the liberty TO request Gen.
Early to uncover, and at the same time
charged the old veteran y ith being a
disuniOnist. Gen. Early took of the
white slouched hat he wore. Gov.
Lee said il WAS bought by Early in
Philadelphia, and sat down on the
Generals knee.
BRINGING UP THE VETERANS.
Just then a hoarse cheer went up
from the crowd outside, but IL was for
General Gordon. who came 10 report
that there was difficulty about the vot.
Grams getting through the ranks Of the
military in order TO take their proper
places near the monument. BY
this time the assemblage all in front
OF the monument and stand beyond
the reservation bad grown 10 dense
multitude. LOo aud Gordon quickly
mounted their chargers, and in a very
short time the stream Of Confederate
veterans, hich poured into view with
couutless battle flags, gave notice that
the obstruction had been removed.
TIE veterans swarmed around the
monument then they began 20 crawl
up the base to the foot OF the psdOs-
tai. Very soon some OF them no doubt
would bave gone higher but for police
interference. II was intended that the
veterans should mass I'll the bNse Of
the stslue, and they we're so stationed,
Tut way was kept open to the string
by which the statue was 10 be an
yelled.
GIN. WADE BABFToE's RosETTE.
In lbe midst Of ell this Gen. Wade
Hampton. OF South Carolina. With =
palmetto rOsetie IN bis wide brimmed
hat, came on tho platform 10 Comps.
ny With Senator Butler, Gen. Ran
SOM. Senstot Daniel and others.
Wade Hampton and Gen. Johnston
shook IN cprdisi greeting. white Cue
people Cheered Gen. Roger A. FRY.
et ives alec thelc srd msuy others OF
hOte.
DROPPING THE Will.
At dftetn minutes 30 &C ock Gov.
y y @cKnney the Governor Of
Vran.a roe o. cha man o. 'hs lie
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