The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-11-10
A FREE-WILL OFFERING.
The Funds for the Winnie Davis MOn-
ument Were Unsolicited.

The erection of a monument 20 a SCUM
ern woman in such a way as the tribute
comes To Miss Winnie Davis Is a unique
event, therefore the history of the move
ment is deserving of more than passing
mention. The funds for It's erection came
without solicitation OF any kind. ii was
a voluntary, unsolicited, free Will oner-
ing from a people who desired TO pay
tribute to a noble woman.
When Miss Davis was buried beside
the remains OF her distinguished father,
the only President of the Confederacy,
there was a great 0utpouring Of people
from all over the South 10 honor the WOO
man herself as well as the cause with
which her name was so closely identihed-
The day after the ceremonies a move
ment Was started by the Richmond
Chapter Of the Daughters Of the Con-
federacy to erect a monument TO the
woman who first saw the light IN the
White House Of the Confederacy amid the
roar Of cannon and the martial tramp or
soldiers around the Confederate Capital.
A first il seemed a difficult undertaking.
A great monument TO President Davis
was already selected and awaited the
raising of funds for construction, while
a proposed monument 10 the women OF
the South had been temporarily aban-
doned until President Davis memory
could be suitably honored.
FREE WILL OFFERING.
But the women took heart and for the
love Of one so dear to them, sent a sim
pie circular TO Confederate organiza-
lions suggesting that they contribute as
they saw III TO this work of love. No
solicitation for funds was made, bus soon
contributions came pouring in from va
rious parts OF the South. one fair-halred
child from Georgia wrote that her grand
fathers were both wounded in the DC
fence of Richmond. and she wanted 70
send her contribution 10 a cause that
was close to her heart.
The Winnie Davis Monument Commit
tee soon had Sl.o0O on hand, and designs
for a monument 10 cost mat amount
were asked for. Many designs were SUBJ
mitted. but the New York Camp or Con-
federate Veterans desired particularly a
design bv Mr.. George Julian Zolnay.
the well-known New York sculptor. Ihis
was q seated angel IN Carrara marble
which has been pronounced a work or
high art by critics Of repute. The price
Of this was 5000. but the sculptors
friendship for the Davis family caused
him to reduce the amount to Sl,6Co' which
included the 1900 raised by the women
and $3.50 given by the New York vet
Grams. -.
A letter was received by members OF
the Chapter Of Daughters mere from Mrs'
Davis, in which she said
MRS. DAVIS HAPPINESS.
"When the letter came saying 1t would
be possible for this statue 10 be erected
over Winnie's grave / had a teeilhs
nearer akin 10 happiness than l a
known since nv great Joss. Generations
Of my descendants will feel that a tribute
such as has been paid TO one or them
nv the Daughters of the Confederacy is
one OF the proudest incidents in their
family history. and l thank the ladies
with all my heart for thelr Alhd consld-
Grafton in the conduct OF 'he work
The design Of Mr.. ZollAV was accepted
so soon rs Mrs. Davis expressed her Wish
for 1t.
The design for the monument Is at
once beautiful and artistic. The pose IS
admirable and there IS strength and
snirit that gives II life. II represents a
seated ANGEL and will be carved in Car
rara marble of the best quality.
This is well called the angel Of GRIEF
and Is extending a wreath as II about 10
place IL on the grave. II Is mounted pm
AAht ~ - 80 -
a hammered granite pedestal with a
coping in front. The statue is over life
size and measures a little more than
seven feet, The granite pedestal Is W
and a half feet high, three and a half
feet wide. and two and a half feet deep.
The coming is six feet long, two fee;
wide and fifteen inches hlgh.
THE INSCRIPTIONS
The inscriptions have not been placed on
the pedestal owing 10 lack OF time, but
will be very soon. They will be as fol-
lows:
on the front
THE Beloved Child Of Jefferson Davis.
President OF the Confederate States Of
America and yarina Howell Davis"
On the right side
porn in the Executive Mansion, Rich
mond. virginia. Died september IS. 1875,
a, Narraransett Pier, Rhode Island"
On the back
In the Flower OF Her Beauty, Rarely
Gifted in Intellect tnis Tuo .o woman
Trustfully Rendered UP Her Stainless