Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-26

In grateful memory Of
Abraham Lincoln.
This monument was erected
By the Western Sanitary Commission
OF st. Louis Mo-.
With funds contributed solely by
Emancipated citizens of the United States
Declared free by his proclamation
January /, A. d. 1863
The first contribution of five dollars was made
by Charlotte Scott, freed woman of
Virginia. being her first earnings
in freedom and consecrated
by her suggestion and request
On the day she heard of President Lincoln's
death to build a monument to his memory.
The woman whose name is thus honored died
Saturday night, the Oath instant, at her home,
ReuseEs, little railroad station about four
miles from Lynchburg, in the one hundred and
ninth year OF her age. As stated in the inscrip-
ton of a monument to Abraham Lincoln and
at that time lived in Marietta, Ohio. 1t is said
that when she heard of the assassination Of the
President she exclaimed: Lord, have mercy
and Massa Lincoln is killed lie ought to have
monument and am going to give the last
cent have for it, and Immediately contrib
uted-perhaps through Prof. ]. NJ. LanGston
who was living in Marietta at the time and knew
her iItimately-the sum Of So. The est. Louis
commission, as it is known. was soon after
ward formed and, taking this IS rs q nucleus,
collected the fund for the erection Of the ia
nous emancipation group that now adorns Lin
coin Park.
THE UNvEnISa OF THE STATUE
took place April IA, 1876, and in order to honor
the name and person who had made the first
contribution, Mrs. Scott, through the instru-
mentality OF Prof. J. NJ. Langston, who by au-
thority of Congress was chairman of the COM
mittee, and Frederick Douglass, who was orator
OF the day, was brought on and given promi-
nent place in the procession and exercises.
Her picture was taken and many thousands Of
them sold, from which a large revenue was de-
rived and which was devoted to paying for the
monument. While here she was the recipient
of many attentions and met all the leading pro-
motors of the scheme and many of the promi-
nent men Of the day.
SKETCH OF HER LIE.
Charlotte Scott was born q slave on what is
still known as the Scott plantation, near Lynch
burg, and took and retained the name of her
owners. Some years before the war she went
to Marietta, ONO, as the maid of Mrs. DIR.
Rucker. nee Margaret Scott. and there she was
set Tree some two years prior TO the emancipa-
ton proclamation OF President Lincoln, jan
uary l, 1868. notwithstanding her freedom
she returned to her old friends on the farm of
her nativity shortly after the cessation of hos
tlltles, and from the 'old folks" readily OBJ
tanned four acres Of land. upon which she built
modest but comfortable home, in order, as
she said, to be near ..her chillun" Ms she
called the members of the Scott family 10 the
day OF her death. Her confidence in her ''old
folks" never tagged and it was not misp laced
In this city hives her daughter, Mrs. China
Brioe; her granddaughter, Mrs. Alice Ander-
son Lewis, and her great granddaughter. Mary
Anderson. all at 1856 10th street northwest Mrs
Brice left last evening for Lynchburg, thence
to Reusens to attend the funeral and burial
ceremonies, which will take place tomorrow or
Wednesday.
Mrs Scott had twelve children. six sons all
OF whom are dead. and six daughters. some Of
whom are well known among their race.
Besides Mrs. China Brice of this city there are
Mrs Celia Scott OF Philadelphia, Mrs. Emma
Turner Of Baltimore, Mrs. Maria Williams of
Lynchburg. Mrs. Mary Cole, who lives with
her mother. and Mrs. Rachel Scott, who lives
In the same neighborhood.