Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-05-07
LIBBY-HILL STATUE.
WORK ON THE PRIVATE SOLDIERS
MONUMENT TO BE PUSHED.
Pretty Well Decided That the bronze
Figure Shall Bo Made in Ameri-
ca-The Design.

ca-Tbe Design.
The fact that the ladies of the Memorial
Razaar have cleared enough. or almost
epoucb. money to push the work on the
Iibby-Hill monument 70 completion mas
caused a renewal of interest IN the manu-
some memorial 10 the memory OF Contede-
rate soldiers and sailors. and the gentle
men who first started the scheme are
greatly enthused.
The movement for the erection OF the
monument commenced about three years
400 and the first meeting was held 10 tn9
rooms OF the East-End CluO, IN an on
house which was formerly the residence Oh
a Mr.. TiDscomb. There were some twelve
or fifteen persons present. VINO orgahizsu
an association and elected q preslueu,,
secretary. and treasurer. ana I'VE directors
from each ward of the city. On this oc-
cae,nn very liberal subscriptions were
made bv nearly every one present, Tue a.
orcgato amount being nearly SOW; =
Inc officers chosen were y. I. Blchard-
cor, Drcstden-. Carlton Mccarthy, secro
tary and William Ii. CulllnEworth
treasurer.
HErP FROM MANY SOURCES.
Verious Efforts were made - ralse
M" ~, IN and those resulted in the collec-
ton OF probably 5000 or co.OJU. lne
rity OF Richmond donated S5,0OO Tor tue
traction OF the foundation and base OF the
monument. and at the last session OF re
Legislature tho State appropriated S5,2.O
to nav for the capital OF tho pillar when
bv the wav. Is tho largest Cornthlan capt.
raj IN tho I'uited States. measuring Q feet
IN hight and II feet across tho top, from
volute 20 volute.
Inc ASSOCIATION continued 10 mold meet
! inos Al short intervals from the time ot ITS
organization. and az an early meeting
| adouted a. the design for the monument
| Pompey's Pillar OF Alexandra, Egypt, and
! this design has been faithfully adhered q.
The first contract was made with Mr..
| lanes NetherwOOd aud amounted to about
| s501D lie carried the work up 70 the
I point where the shaft itself commences.
! The second contract was also gwen 20 Mr.
| NetherWood and amounted % -l2.0Jo.
| This cJmUleted the work from the begin
/ mig Of tho shaft 20 tho capital, practically
| nn&h.ng tne monument.
The only remaining touches 20 be put
! on the monument itself are about the base.
where the steps approaching the monu-
ment project On all sides. lh.s WOrS was
| lett 10 be tho last 20 save possible brcek-
age ~ the hosting OF large stones INTO
! position.
| DONE WITHOUT CEREMONY.
! Asa matter Of peculiar interest. in this
| instance all ceremony was studi)usly
avoided. no cornerstone being !Hd. and
no special notice being taken Of the initial
work. y being the purpose of the persons
engaged m the UNDERLYING 10 postpone
| all demon STATIONS OF ans character what
ever until tuc entire completion and un-
yelling Of the statue and monument.
The Executive Committee Is quite con-
! fdeut that the portion % the proceeds OF
| the Memorial Bazaar which Will 90 70 the
monument fund viii justify the imme-
dla-e closing 81 the contract for Tn"
| bronze figure % surmouut the column,
| an there wall b. no further delay I'D the
| ,ntlr. completion Of the work than may
be uece.sltated Oy the tme required TOR
the selection of the sculptor and tho exc
cutlon Of the statue.
The Committee on Design, which Is en-
| trusted with the very important work oil
contracting for the statue, with full powers
10 act. mas carefully aud constantly en-
gagged IN IN effort % secure the test man
and the best work which can be had for
tle comuletIon of this monument.
Will liz DONE ~ AMFMcA.
The committee. doubtful of its OWL
Judgment and conscious Of It's limited
ku0wied,s II art. has had IN consultation
with them the very best talent IN the cOuu
try. and several of these gentlemen have
v,ry kindly and caudI1ly given their view.
as 10 the best modes of procedure m ,ucl
| matters. The committee has not rs vet
p0-if.y.ly decided whether they viii se
iort some individual and commission hlm
| to DO the WORK or Use the competitive me-
! thOd
Both ulnns have been carefully discusse.
I'D Ia FH..Ff rrsnF
! the ADVICE of eminent artists and Sculp
tors. II rs. however. pretty well decided
that thi. WORK shall bee executed II
America. II being practically the unaui
nous opinion OK the committee that 10 J.
useless 20 70 90 Europe for anything need
cd IN the art line IN connection with the
memorial.
Iha general feeling is that the origiuq
idea viii prevail. and that the bronze Wi
assume the form OF heroic figure o. q
private soldier surmouutlng the column
| IL mas been suggested by SOM thar d
! would Dc /. ttcr 60 use On the summit al
! tnc cClumu an aucgorcal female hGurc
| thcnrgumort being that "a drappd figure CIJ
be- more successfully and artl-tIcaly treat
| "a ar such an altitude, aul tnaJ lt "Oul.
Doe exceedingly difficult TO distinguish
q male figure with tcht-httinG garment
| at the same height. Others have suggest
cd modification, Of the present granite
work a> t0tLc base. with the possible ADD
| ton OF figures aJ tire base. tue ldea Ue.u-
o. express tho general idea with tle ale
aOfcal figure ~ tle summit aud 90 dr
iueate the peculiar purpose # the mOnu
ment by bronze figures ~ the base repre-
-autlus 4 soldier and sailor IN proper ~
ttule'.
-Hr CONFEDERATE NAVY.
It r. hoped that some suitable expires