The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-05-22
GEN. FRANCIS MARION.
The New Tomb to Be Unveiled in
South Carolina To-Day.
The Grave at Belle Isle Plantation,
on the Santee-A Description of the


The Grave at Belle Isle Plantation,
on the Santee-A Description of the
Monument.
From Charleston News and Courier April IL.
In 1872 two infants first saw the light
of day-One in Virginia and one In South
Carolina-who were destined to figure in
their country's history, side by side, and
through succeeding generations to have
their names inscribed more universally
on the roll of the union than any other
two citizens or soldiers of the country,
Washington and Marion are household
words from the Atlantic to the Pacific,
from the lakes to the gulf, countries, vii
lagos hear their names everywhere over
the breadth of the continent without re-
gard to the parallels OF latitude.
Gen. Marion's part in the struggle for
American independence was conspicuous
from the first irritating cause, the stamp
act Of 1868, down to the evacuation OF
Charleston in December, 1872
When Charleston was surrendered IN
1850 Gen Marion, anticipating this re-
suit, left the city in a small boat and
landing on Wando river took to the
swamps, and for thirty months was one
of the few recognized leaders who kept
alive the spirit of liberty when South
Carolina was overrun by British soldiers
from Ninety-six to Charleston. He had
an irrepressible conflict with King George
III. and never let up an hour in his efforts.
His name and fame are only second to
Washington in the hearts of his country
men even to this day he died in 1875 and
was buried at Belle Isle" plantation, as
was the habit in those days. What was
then thought of him by his neighbors and
friends is expressed in this eloquent
epitaph:
Sacred to the memory
of
GENERAL FRANCIS MARION,
who departed this life on the 9th of Feb
ruary, 1895
in the ODD year of his age.
Deeply regretted by all his fellowcitizens.
History will record his worth and ris-
ing generations embalm his mem
DRY as one of the most
distinguished
Patriots and heroes of the American
REVOLUTION
which elevated his native country to
Honor and Independence and Sc
cured to her the blessings of
Liberty and Peace.
This tribute of VeneratOn and gratitude is
erected in commemoration of the
noble and disinterested virtues of
the citizen and the gallant
exploits of the soldier.
Who lived without fear and died without
reprOach.
The original tomb was built of brick
with a marble slab on top, on which the
epitaph was inscribed. Some years ago
a large tree was blown down, and falling
across the tomb wrecked it-whether,
owing to climatic causes or inferior quail
ity of the brick used, a new structure
would have been soon necessary without
the fall of the tree. the old one being in a
hlincr condition yEbnn examined a
year ago, the inscription, too, had become
illegible from the action of the elements.
The new memorial ordered by the gen
eral assembly is in the form of a sar-
cophagus, the base block is 80 inches wide
and 615 feet long, 10 inches high; upon
this rests the center or die block, 30 inches
high; a third piece surmOuntS the Struct-
ure for ornament and finish. The mate
rial is Winsboro granite, finished in rustic
style, and when erected on its sub-base
will have an elevation of feet.
The material of the old structure will
be used up entirely inn the concrete foun-
ddtion, which is necessary to support the
new tomb which will weigh about seven
tons. This disposition identifies the old
with the new monument and prevents
| these precious remnants from lying
around as common material. The rem
| nantS of the old stone slab and inscrip-
city for such action as the state authori-
ties may deem best
1t will be a source of pride and gratifi-
cation to Americans throughout the union
to know that the original epitaph is to be
preserved to the latest posterity in an
elegant bronze panel sunk one side of the
three-ton die block, while the other side
will have a second bronze panel display
ing the full coat of arms of South Carolina
and the following inscription:
To preserve to posterity this burial place
of an honOred son
The general assembly of South Carolina
replaces the crumbling and broken
tomb nearly century old with
this enduring memorial cut
from her own granite hills.
Este i Rsspe'ua
The whole structure is built as against
Father Time, and it is hoped that trees
near it will be cut down but T. II. Rev
nolds, the contractor, thinks that if an
other tree should fall sit will be a bad
business for the treel'
The plans and specifications for this
memorial have been furnished to the gov
ernOr by l.. j. Barbot, without charge
The Henri-Bouward Bronze Company of
| New York are themselves so much pleased
with these handsome bronze panels as
works of high bronze art that they pro-
pose to place them on exhibition in New
York before shipping them to Charleston
Mr.. Reynolds will also arrange to place
them on exhibition here when received,
but only for a short time.
The state authorities are in charge of
| this good work, and ii is presumed that
some formal ceremonies will be arranged
for the day of unwilling, less than a
month from to-day. On this subject it
may be mentioned that Belle Isle is
| twelve miles from st. Stephens depot on
/ the Northeastern railroad, and it is pri-
marily a question of transportation to
reach this historic spot. OF course every
one who can mount a horse or move a
vehicle in a circle of twenty miles will be
very apt to make the trip to the new
tomb that day. Then there are several
| mounted companies who could arrange to
! ride there.
MEDICAL
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