Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-05-27
TRIBUTE OF LOVE.
Unwilling of Two Unique Monuments at
Fort Mill.

Written for The Enquirer.
Last Thursday marked notable
epoch in the history of the town of
Fort Mill. The occasion was the un-
yelling of two monuments donated to
the Jeff Davis Memorial association
by Captain Samuel E. White, and by
the association dedicated, one to the
"Women of the Confederacy," the
other to the "Faithful Slaves"
1t was originally intended that the
ceremony in connection with the un-
yelling should be a quiet, neighbor-
hood affair. That was the modest
idea of Captain White, to whose gem
erosity these noble tributes owe their
existence; but the members Of the
Memorial association willed otherwise,
and, as the result, there was assem-.
bled at Fort Mill last Thursday a
gathering the like of which the town
has never seen before. The people OF
the surrounding country turned out
en- masse, there were visitors from all
the surrounding towns, all the big
Southern newspapers were represented,
and the occasion was given at least a
part of the prominence that its i'm
portance deserved.
The exercises Of the day were
opened with prayer at the First Pres.
byterian church by Rev. DR.. Thorn
well. Then the roll of the jeff Davis
Memorial association was read, and
also the list of Confederate dead bur-
led in the cemetery. After this there
was a procession to the cemetery,
where the graves Of the soldiers were
decorated with flowers. Then the
visitors assembled at the stand that
had been erected for the speakers near
the monuments.
The monuments stand In a small
park which occupies gentle slope
that extends from the railroad to the
Fort Mill Bank building, 3 distance OIL
perhaps 40 or 80 yards. They are only
q short distance apart and in close prox.
unity to the splendid monument to
the Confederate soldiers of Fort Mill
township, which was erected by the
Memorial association several years
ago. For this occasion, the new mon
uments had been neatly draped.
While the crowd was assembling
around the stand, the Gold Hill band
rendered inspiring airs, and there was
some impressive singing by Confeder'
ate veterans and by ex.slayes. Then
there developed a touching circum.
stance that was not down on the pro-
gramme. Resolutions Of thanks to
Captain White by the Jeff Davis Me-
mortal association, the ladies Of Fort
Mill, and the ex-slaves were read.
Although unexpected, they called for
an answer, and Captain White made
one that was fully equal to the occasion
He said no thanks were due to him
but to God who had given him the
means and put the idea into his heart.
The two monuments were unveiled
simultaneously at a given signal that
to the women of the Confederacy by
Mesdames S. E. White, ]. B. Mack, J.
NJ. Spratt, T. B. Withers and w. F.
Boyd; that to the faithful slaves by
Nelson White, Jim Springs, Warren
White and Sam Thompson, all OK.
slaves. The arrangements for the un-
yelling were perfect, and the falling
drapery exposed to view two proud
testimonials of love and patriotism that
will ever continue a lasting honor not
only to those who conceived the noble
gifts; but also to those in whose mem
ory the monuments have been erected.
The monument to the women of the
Confederacy is 1S feet and 6 inches in
height. 1t consists of a base, two sub
bases, a die, cap and statue. The statue
which is of mable, represents woman,
kneeling on q Confederate flag and in
an attitude of p prayer to heaven. On
the front side appears the following in
scription.
1880 O:-Affectionately dedicated by the
Jefferson Davis Memorial association 10
the women of the Confederacy. The iv-
ing and the dead who midst gloom OF woe
were heroines in the strife. To perpetu..
ate their noble sacrifices on the altar OF
our common country let sweet incense
forever rise till it reaches them In robes
of victory beyond the skies: 1885," On
the right side is written:
"Many are the hearts that are weary tonight
Wishing for the war to cease,
Many are the hearts praying for the right
To see the dawn Of Peace"
On the back is: Respectfully donated
by Samuel E. White to the Jefferson Da-
Wis Memorial association" And on the
right are the names: Mesdames White,
Spratt, Springs, Harris, Merritt, Kim
brell, Armstrong, Burns, Jones, john
son, Epps, Cu1p, Graham, Coltharp,
Bales, Garrison, Stewart, Massey ana
many Others"
The monument to the slaves consists
of base, sub-base, die and shaft, and is