The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-05-28

EltHMOND, va M6y T. i ne historic
setting which surrounds the old capital
city of the Confederacy, becoming more
and more interesting with each passing
year. will, on Wednesday, be intensified,
when there shall be added another jewel
to the diadem OF i'm ortal gems whi,h
dot her sacred soil. The heart of the
Confederate will be knit vet closer
to the resting place of SO many of his
dead heroes, and the field of the tour
lists research will be greatly enriched.
The remains of LETTERS Davis, presi-
dent of the Southern Confederacy, will
on that day be consigned to beautiful
spot in Hollywood Gem terry, overhaug.
ing the broken waves Of the James, aud
its purling waters shall sing an everlas;-
Ing requiem to the distinguished dead
Tbs preparations for a grand and
solemn display and appropriate funeral
obseq uiei are all made, and the OCCASION
will De the greatest mourning observ-
ance ever seen in the South.
The military Of this city and Stat,
aud hec States, the confe derate Vet.
eran eau ps from the Potomac to the
gulf, and grand concourse of civic
organizations will join with tho people
in doing honor to the man who, though
for two years dead, is yet the greatest
representative of principal which,
though defeated, will live as long as
Amt ricans love liberty and freedom.
When Jefferson Davis passed away st
New Orleans, Decsmter o. 1890. the
South bowed its reverential head and
determined to do tina. honor to his
momory of which this ceremonial is but
an Introduction.
Tue Confederate veterans of New
Orleans took his body and placed it in
the vault Of the Army of Northern
Virginia. in Motiarie Cemetery, in
that city, and have guarded it night
and day until now.
spontaneous movement was at once
started in many places a. the same
. time to secure the funds TO erect a fit.
ting monument to his memory, bat for
lack OF q dirt citing h and an concert of &C.
ton the matter did not take practical
shape until April of last year, when, at
the meeting of tina United Confederate
Veterans, in New Orleans, the matter
was placed in the hands OF an executive
committee. with Hon J. Taylor Ellyson,
mayor Of Richmond, as chairman.
The subscriptions made in various
places were turned over to the c ommittee
and plans arranged for stcuring an ade-
quate fund
The first question to be ettled was
the location Of the presidents grave. A
number OF Southern cities desired the
honor OF caring for mis- sacred ashes,
and New Orleans par .icularly was
strong in Der claim for the distinctio
but Mrs. Davis, who for months had the
mater under close advisement, on
account OF considerations of old asso.
Citations and ties of kinship and friend
ship, decided in favor OF Richmond.
The city offered Mrs. Davis absolutely
any obtainable spot in it's limits that
she might select for resting place and
memorial to h>r husband. She came TO
Richmond in company with Miss Winnie
Davis, and after visiting many places
decided upon beautiful Hollywood for
the place of burial and Monroe Park.for
the monument.
The place selected by Mrs. Davis for
the final resting ace of her husband
was at once handsomely inc proved The
situation is secluded but accessible
Tbs location is in tbs western part or
new addition OF Hollywood on the plane
OF half amphitheatre on a somewhat
abrupt slope overlooking the river.
In this sub plateau are three large
sections-one at the extreme west,
circular in form and 30 feet in diameter,
another elliptical in form and l6O feet
in its shortest diameter, and third
triangular in shape; With it's base line
parallel to the river. There is also be.
tween the circle and the western elonga.
tion of the ellipse a fourth secuon,
which is small and irregular in shape.
The circular plat is the Davis section
To the north of the plane rising from
semi circular base line to the main
plateau, and at an angle of about As de-
grees, is swarded back. ground about
20 feet in height. To the south the
ground breaks from the edge of the sub
plateau to the river in irregular sur
faces.
Monroe Park, where monument of
Grand proportions is to be placed. is an
ideal spot for great memorial It is a
large pleasure ground in the heart of
the most beautiful residential portion
Of the city. has sweep of gently
sIopiDg greensward. well dotted with
trees and rich in flowers. and, though
established only few years, is the
handsomest of the citys parks.
The ceremonies connected with the
removal OF the Confederate presidents
remains will commence at New Orleans
and be almost continuous until thew ara
laid away in Hollywood. The route
will be by the Richmond and Danyille
system, and that railroad will furnish
the funeral train, which, besides a
specially fitted funeral car, there will
be Pullman sleeping, dining and psrlor
coaches, so that the escort may be in.
dependent OF citing houses and other
inconyenient delays.
Mrs. Davis Is in feeble health, and for
the past year has been practically con.
fined to her rooms at the Marlborough
House, in New York. She will not be
able to go to New Orleans. but will