The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-11-07
IMMORTAL IN MARBLE.
Monuments to the daughter
of the Confederacy"
TWO ARE TO BE UNVEILED
At Richmond This Week, and
One to Her Father.

Richmond, Va, Nov. 6-The first week
in November will be a mtmorable one for
the Confederate women of the South, as
every moment Of that time will be given
by them to work which they regard in
the light Of a sacred duty-that Of pay
ing tribute to the memory of Winnie Dav-
is, the Daughter of the Confederacy,'
and Jefferson Davis, her father. once the
head Of the banded Southern States.
The event of the week will be the I'M
yelling on November of a beautiful mon
ument over the grave of Miss Winnie
Davis, in Hollywood Cemetery. At that
time also Mrs. Jefferson Davis will have
placed at the head Of her husbands grave
the statute to him, which has just been
completed, and the monument to her con,
Jefferson Davis, Jr., will be unveiled.
Another ceremony of importance will
take place November at historic St.
Paurs Church, where Mr.. Davis worship
ed, when a tablet to Miss Winnie Davis
will be unveiled, and also ont to the chill
dren of Mr.. and Mrs. jefferson Davis.
Mrs. Davis has placed all arrangements
for the various ceremonies in the hands
of the r. E. Lee Camp, Confederate Vet
Grams, of this city, and will participate
in the exercises herself should her health
permit.
The splendid monument to Miss Win
ME Davis is the work Of George Julian
Zolnay, now one of the leading sculptors
of this country. He received his artistic
training in Paris an Vienna, an in 1889
he was graduate with first honors from
the Imperial Academy Of the Fine Aars.
The monument to Miss Davis represents
a seated angel, and is carved in Carrara
marble of the finest quality. The statute
Is over life-size, and measures about seven
feet. The granite pedestal is two and a
half feet high, three and a half feet wide
and two and a half feet deep. The cop
ing is six feet long, two feet wide and 16
inches high. Mr. Zonaly went to Carrara
to secure the block of marble for the
statue.
In writing Of the work the artist says:
Everybody considers the composition Of
this monument exceptionally fortunate.
Besides the definite sentiment which per-
vades the figure, it has the rare advan-
tage of representing beautiful outlines
from every point of view. 1 am especial
~ gratified that Miss NJ. P. Harris sug-
gestion to have this work in Carrara mar
Bile was carrdied ont. It is the very best
material in eXistance and greatly en-
hances the beauty of the statue. OF al
the materials known, marble has always
ben considered the most beautiful medium
for the representation of the human fig
ure-not only on account of its durabl
lily, but more especially for Its transpar-
ency, which, by the refraction of light,
gives the work that myFerious breath of
life, which is the great charm and beauty
Of marble statues"
The monument to President Jefferson
Davis, which will be placed over the grave
at the same time, is also the work of Mr..
Zolnay. 1t is life-size. The statue was
ordered by Mrs. Jefferson Davis. 1t rep
resnts the Confederate President standing
with his right arm resting on his side and
his left hand hanging by his side and hold
ing q felt hat. Of this statue Mr.. Zolnay
says:
The modelling of this statue has been
the most difficult task I evtr expect to
have and it is a real joy to see the prob
lem solved successfully. I had 10 pro-
DUE not only a portrait Of Jefferson Dav-
is, but embody the spirit of the cause
the hopes, fears and undaunted courage
of a nation. Having at my disposal all
,the photographs of Mr.. Davis, back TO
the Mexican war, I had to concentrate
and condense this portrait.
ITO Mrs. Jefferson Davis I owe the sue
cess of the work. Untiringly and with
truly angelic patience. she came to the
studio for weeks. regardless Of i'll health,
inclement weather, etc, helping, suggest
ing and en- couraging, that the image Of
her distinguished husband might be per
feet in every detail.
Mr. Zolnay also designed the tablet in
St Paurs Church 20 the memory of Miss
Davis 1t will be placed by the side of
and will be a bronze bust in bas-relief
upon marble. 1t viii be three by five feet
and will bear the inscription: