The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1896-03-14
IN HONOR OF SOUTHERN DEAD.
Proposal to Erect Monument on the
WeStpOrt Battlefield.

From the Kansas City Times.
The battle of Wcstport was fought
in the latter part of October, 1864,
about five miles south from Kansas
City and on the ground now occupied
10y the Forest Hill cemetery. Generals
Price and Shelby, the confederate
commanders, retreatIng southwark,
left their dead upon the battlefield.
The federal soldiers slain in the battle
were Immediately gathered up from
the field and buried at Kansas City
and Leavenworth. The confederate
dead, to the contrary, received rude
soldiers burial on the field.
After the armies passed sympathizing
friends gathered up such remains of
the confederate dead as could be found
and buried them in boxes and trenches.
In March, 1869, and again in May,
1871, remains of these confederate
soldiers were again gathered up for
the purpose of burying them in a single
lot, donated for that purpose by George
w. Bryant, who then owned the land
on which they fell. Including Colonel
Upton Hays and a few others brought
from more distant localities, there were
seventy-three soldiers buried in the lot
donated by Mr.. Briant, and then known
As the Byram Ford Confederate cem-
etery.
In the process of time the land lying
north and adjoining this cemetery was
laid off into large and beautiful
cemetery, now known as Forest Hill
cemetery. The owners of Forest Hill
cemetery subsequently acquired the
adjoining Brianl land. They therefore
offered TO donate a high and slightly
location for the confederate dead IN
Forest Hill cemetery on condition that
fitting monument be erected over
their remains. The proposition was
accepted and the dead removed. Among
them were gallant sons of Jackson,
Clay, Platte, Lafayette, Cass and
Johnson counties, Missouri, and few
from more distant localities. The men
who wore the gray have determined to
erect a monument over the seventy
three dead-not n jackson county
monument, but a monument to speak
to the future-a monument to the valor
and heroism of the confederate soldier,
so that the world may remember the
men who were honorable in peace,
brave in battle and willing to lay down
their lives for what they believed to be
right.
Meetings have been held, committees
appointed, plans adopted and thor
ough organization affected, with Major
Maxwell Minter as president, and
Major Blake L. Woodson, as secretary.
The estimated cost of the monument is
$4,000. In order to raise this money,
beautifully printed Autographed shares
of stock have been issued with flags
and seal of the confederate states, and
plan of the monument imprinted
thereon. These shares are to be sold
at 81 each, and the money applied to
the building of monument at once.
President Mlnter has formulated this
request to the public:
awe wish those kindly disposed to
know that with us this Is labor OF
love; there are no salaried officers,
and the money contributed goes to the
monument. Are you willing that these
brave men who died for you, and with
you, should sleep the sleep that knows
no waking in unmarked gravesP Not
food, or drink, or raiment we ask, but
the Immortality of heroic deeds.
"'To those into whose hand this may
come not in sympathy with this pur-
pose, let us say that when the god of
battle mounted his chariot of fire to
break hearts and homes and fill the
land with death, he did not always
drive one way. AS true Americans,
you remember the tattered uniforms
and bright muskets of that army
which yielded only with its annihila-
tion. The brave are generous-none
others can be. We, at least, made the
union soldier immortal. The grave
knows no distinction. We were
enemies IN war, we are friends IN
peace, and by the blessing of God you
and we and our children will see that
fraternal war ohall plague this fair land
of ours no more forever.
"The committee will endeavor, by
public meetings, and by proper agents,
to place these shares of stock before
the entire public and especially of the
counties named. We ask that the
confederate posts and people of the
counties named, will organize local
committees to take local charge of this
work. We believe you will find the
shares intrinsically worth the money
for which they are sold, and we ask
you to become sharers in this pious
work. Our secretary, Blake L. Wood
son, at 527 Nelson building, Kansas
City, Mo-, Is authorized to send shares
to any address on receipt of the price,
and also to give any other necessary
information.
''By order of the committee.
OMAN MINTER, President.
"BLAKE i. WooDsoN, Secretary"