Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-31
THE PROPOSED MdsUMEyT.


leans and inferred in Hollywood Gene
terry. where sleep at least 1900 soldiers
of the Confederacy, the question arose
whether the great monument 10 him
should be erected there over his grave.
or in one Of the parks Of the city. But
what doubt existed as to the proper
course TO take was dissolved when Mrs.
Davis made known the fact that her
husband had a horror Of being buried
beneath a great mass of masonry, and
wished his grave TO be where the sun
would ever shine upon it. She. herself,
selected his burial-place in Hollywood.
II is on a hill overlooking the James river.
opposite the falls OF that stream, yet in
view Of the tidal waters Of the port Of
Richmond.
The selection of a site for the monI-
ment was made by the Davis Monument
Committee OF the United Confederate
Veterans, and Monroe Park was chosen.
This pretty park is identified with the
war history Of Richmond, and is the
centre of Richmond's most fashionable
residential quarter. 1t is proposed that
the Davis monument shall be erected In
the centre of the park. and that the
fountain now there shall be removed TO
another part Of the grounds.
The building of the monument is en-
trusted to the Davis Monument Com
mittee of the United Confederate Vete-
rams and the Davis Monument Agsocia-
ton of Virginia, and the two organiza-
tons are working in concert. The latter
organization was authorized to advertise
for and receive designs, and three prizes
were offered for the three best ones sub
mitted. Into this competition twenty
seven artists have entered, and among
these are several of the most eminent
sculptors and architects of this coun-
try. 1t is not doubted that from among
! these designs one suitable for Mr.. DaViss
monument may be selected; but the Vir-
| ginia association can take no final action
in the premises without the assent of the
Southern Veterans Committee. These
two bodies will. however, meet here on
June 10th. when it is expected tEst an
award will be made. Nothing definite is
| yet decided, except that the monument
| shall not be an equestrian monument,
and that the architectural design shall be
selected first, and the sculpture arranged
for afterwards. How much money can
be spent upon the monument depends
| upon how much can be raised but il
will probably be not less than 10000,
nor more than 500 600. There is a healthy
nucleus Of monument fund in the hands
| OF the Richmond committee. and the Con-
federate camps. while in session at
! Houston last year. pledged themselves 10
bring $1,000 to Richmond this year as Il
contribution to the fund.
The monument association have also
sent out a circular asking that each in
dvidual veteran who is able TO do so
will bring to Richmond a contribution
| of ST. Moreover the people of Richmond.
who have been engaged in the expensive
work of making the jefferson Davis
House fre-proof and establishing there a
| Confederate museum, Will now soon be
honorably discharged from that duty,
and will be able TO devote themselves TO
raising the Davis monument fund. Our
people have never failed in any such un-
dertaking; nor will they fail in this, egpe-
cially as they have the right to expect
aid from all southerners. SO we may
confidently expect that the monument,
the cornerstone OF which viii be laid en-
July 2d. will be worthy of the iilustrious
subject and loving people, and that
it will be finished in the course Of a
few years.
The following are the present officers
Of the Virginia Monument Association:
President j. Taylor Ellyson Secretary,
w. d. ChesteTman; Treasurer. John S.
Elicit The Board of Directors consists
OF the foregoing. and Messrs. Peyton Wise,
| n. V. Randolph. George l.. Christian, ID.
c. Richardson. p. II. Mayo, II. p. Camp
bell. Joseph IL. Dckerson, John b. Cary.
and Il. T. j.. Myers.