The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-07-03
OF Their Leader, who Stakcd
Everything and Lost All.
TIE EXERCISES AT RICHMOND
On the Occasion oftho Laying ofth Car.
nor Stone oftho Monument To Jefferson
Dnvi,-A Grand Parade aud n Great
Spectacle which Couid Not be Witnessed
In Any Other Country-SIrs. Davis
Greeted with Many Cheers.

RICHMOND, Va, July o.-Never be-
fore In its history, not even upon the
occasion OF the unveiling of the Ice
monument IN 1890. has Richmond seen
such crowd within her limits as that
which has assembled here to-day be-
meath n perfect sky to witness the lay
ing OF the cornerstone of the monu-
ment to the memory OF Jefferson Davis.
1t Is the last and greatest day OF the
sixth annucl reunion OF the Confeder-
ate Veterans Association, which has
brought to Richmond altogether about
1900 veterans, besides thousands OF
other visitors. To-day's exercises have
added SO,0O0 visitors and young soldiers
to the vast throng.
Last Night history repeated itself In
the scene which the capitol hall pre-
scnted. a small army OF grizzled men
In jackets OF gray slept upon the green
sward around the old state house, with
coats for pillows and the grassy lawn
for their beds. A full thousand spent
the night on the capitol grounds.
The city Is very ga!ly decorated. Here
and there on the streets faded and tat
tered battle flags, relics OF the lost
cause, float Ike gaunt skeletons In the
AIR, attracting constantly surglng
crowd OF men in gray around them.
The formation OF the parade began
about o'clock. Before noon the streets
along the line of march were almost
complcetlr blocked
The Corner Stone Laid.
The corner stone OF the monument to
be erected In Monroe Park to the mem
ory of jefferson Davis was laid this
afternoon with ceremonies which were
impressive and pathetic. Under a
bright sun and sky, through densely
packed streets, and with the applause
OF countless thousands TO cheer them
on, the followers OF the lost cause
marched through the city which Is
dealer to the old Confederate than any
other In the land. II was a sight TO
stir the enthusiasm OF the most slug
giSh nature as with bands playing,
companies moving and colors flying. the
parade passed In review. Two hundred
th11dren, boys and girls wearing white
and red sashes followed the police who
cleared the way and led the procession.
The chief marshal, General Gordon. In
civilian dress, looked n royal COM
mander as did Governor O'Ferrall, who
rode with barred head. Mrs. Jefferson
Davis was In an open carriage and bow
ed and smiled as the cheers greeted
her on every side
Tho sponsors and maids OF honor,
chosen for their beauty from all the
southern states. rode In carriages fol-
lowing that of Mrs Davis, ~
The military under command Of Brig
adler General Phillips represented the
pick of southern soldiers. North Caro-
lima was first state to exhibit tattered
battle flag and as II iluttered IN the
breeze, 1t was greeted with great
cheers.
A Pathetic Picture.
The veterans made the pathetic pic
ture OF the parade. Nearly all are old
and for the most part weak and feeble,
but SummonIng their remaining
strength. they marched with pride and
pleasure. A large number of them car
rlcd sticks for support, and many Of
them were compelled 10 use umbrellas
in order to withstand the rays OF the
sun. On the backs OF the marChers were
many bullet-torn confederate coats, old
cantcens and knap-SackS, Several dar-
kies, true 10 their old masters, marched
with them In the parade, while two old
confederates, who possibly had relieved
the monotony Of camp life with music In
war times, carried their fiddles and
bows. 1t was n grand parade and
great spectacle. one not likely to be seen
again for years.
1t was estimated that 1900 men and
children started In the parade. but
large number were affected by the heat
and withdrew before they had marched
tnany blocks.
When the procession reached the park,
the military formed 4 complete square
around the mounds. preventing any but
those In che parade from entering the
enclosure. The grand lodge OF Masons,
escorted by the knights Templars
march to the park where the corner
stone was laid with masonic ceremonies.
Prayer was offered by Rev. DR.. George
g. Ray. At the close Of the masonic en-
erciscs, the llowitzers out or the Lee
monument grounds fred salute OF
thirteen guns.
Hon. J. Taylor Ellison, president of
the Davis Monument Association, came
forward and called on Bishop Pohnson
C. Cranberry to offer prayer General
Stephen D. Lee was introduced as the
orator of the occasion and made the
address. The bcnediction closed the