Evening star., 1898-06-13
GRAVES OF MAINE HEROES
Progress of Movement to Provide Fencing,
Flag and Tablet.
Subscriptions Restricted TO Small
SectiOn-WOrk of Veteran Legion.

The work of raising a fund to provide
sufficient protection to the graves of the
n en- of the Maine who are buried at Key
West without proper surroundings is pro-
crossing satisfactorily. AS already stated
in The Star this project was undertaken
by Epcamtnient GO of the Union Veterans
Legion of this city. after a disclosure of the
deplorable como. G.tions at the cemetery
where these heroes are inferred had been
made in the columns of this paper. A COM
mittee was appointed and work was begun
with such energy that already a large por-
ton of the necessary fund is in hand. The
project is TO surround these neglected
graves with a substantial iron fence, with
perhaps suitable tablet. If sufficient
money is doEated a flag staff may be erect
ed and other features added to the plot to
insure lasting survival of the memory of
the score more of brave fellows who
were killed in Havana harbor on the night
of February H. The subscription does no.
call for large amounts from individuals
FOR the purpose is to appeal to as large
number as possible and to make the fund
III every sense popular.
Copies of The Star containing notes of
the enterprise have been sent throughout
the country and even to the old world. and
the results are satisfactorily in evidence in
the form of returns from all quarters. Nat
urally the people of Washington take
marked interest in the matter, and the
clerks of the government departments are
subscribing with generosity. The various
encampmentS of the U. V. l.. are taking Up
the matter. in recognition of the action of
the local organization. and it is expected
that long before July l. when the subscrip
ton lists will be closed. handsome sum
Will be in hand.
Commander Forsythe's Letter.
The committee. of which Capt G. A.
I oF
chairman, and Maj. Frank A. Butts is secre-
tary and treasurer. will soon open negot;a-
tions with local iron boundaries with a view
to ascertaining whether the necessary ma
terials cannot be furnished by some Wash
ington firm, it being thought desirable that
the contract be given to manufacturers of
the city where tie movement was inaugu-
ra ted.
Maj Butts said today to a Star reporter:
Il have received a letter from Command
er James NJ. Forsyth, L. S. N, command
ant al tla United States naval station at
Key West, in which he says: Il have been
assured that there will be no obstacle to
Your veterans putting an iron railing or
fence around the plat
I'VE have subscription lists in all of the
departments, and through the courtesy Of
Col Moore, chief of the metropolitan po-
lice, subscription list has been placed in
each of the precincts in the city. So we
expect to hear a good account from the
W { diSo nope TO rear from the
fire department and probably will"
The following letter was received recently
ION Mrs. Fannie NJ Calvert. president Of
I. s. Grant Circle, No. l. Ladies of the
G. A. r.. of this city. which illustrates the
feeling among the American women who
have heard of this project:
AT the last meeting of L. S. Grant Cir
Gle the ladies. feeling it a duty they owed
to the memory of our neglected dead
whose remains repose at Key West, Flor
ida, have directed that the sum of 81 be
transmitted to you as their contribution to
aid the movement to create a fund for the
erection of monument and the protection
OF the graves of the brave seamen of our
noble battle ship Maine who We're so
cruelty murdered while upholding the hon-
i or of our glorious flag"
The Subscriptions.
The subscription to date stands as fol-
lows:
Previously acknowledged in Evening
Stdf SlbS w
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