West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1901-01-03

Some Information In Regard 10 this
Long Neglected Matter.
To the Editor of The Argus.

To the Editor of The Argus
IL will DO remembered that some
ten years ago aD effort was made by
Kelley Post TO erect monument
In memory OF the heroic deeds OF
Preston county soldiers OF the civil
war. to this end corporation was
granted under the laws OF our State
and the following comrades were
selected AS the corporation. viz: Capt.
JOS. III. Goodwin. now deceased, presi-
dent; ID. Y. Morris. sectuary; Capt. j.
nj. Nurdock, treasurer; Geo. w. Hart
sell. w. F.'Menear. Edmund Messenger
and j. L. Rhodes, who entered upon
their duties by securing u plat OF
ground on court house square, upon
which To erect the monument and by
soliciting unnecessary funds TO erect
tbe ~ me. Comrade Hartsell, and
perhaps other members OF the cor
poration were for the time being very
active aud energetic in their efforts
to secure the necessary funds by sub
scription, and did secure perhaps as
much as eight hundred dollars that
was paid In leaving considerable
more that was subscribed outstand-
ing. portion OF this money was
used Ia putting down the foundation
for the monument, and per cent. OF
the residue was loaned until sufficient
funds could be raised to complete
the structure, about this time n
money stringency set In, which pre-
vailed until 1897. completely pareliz-
Ing business during this time nothing
conld be done except to care for the
money on hand, by keeping IL safely
invested. which WAS done, aud which
has cceated n fond ut this date OF
near one thousand dollars.
While tho writer has not at any
time been connected with the mana
cement OF this fund nor with the
business OF the incorporators l have
been Ia close touch with ut least some
II them aud ain satisfied that they
have done all that could he done I'M
TO the present time aud will saw
fnri iirr-tbrt owing to the fact tliat
no explanation having been made In
regard 10 this matter the donors and
the people ut large have formed an
idea that something is wrong which
ms beeu the source OF much worry
to the corporators. aud am authori-
zsd 10y some OF them TO say that the
titne has now crme That something
must he done to relieve them OF the
responsibility that Is resting upon
thein In this matter. As understand
IL meeting will b." called by the
secretary OF the corporation for the
purpose OF filling the vacancy occa-
stoned by the death of Capt. Goodwin,
and TO trnnsact such other business
rs may b. present. d looking to The
completion OF the monument ut an
early date. This meeting will be of
great importance, as the selection OF
proper man TO preside over the
deliberations OF 80 important IA mat
ter should be made with great care
whether he lie n citizen or soldier. he
should be a man possessing the
proper qualifications and one whose
heart Is in tile work, aud l might add
his pocket book "a well. The pres
ence OF many OF our soldiers md citIz-
ems mt this meeting would be strength
ing TO the cause. aud the suggestions
ninde by them would no doubt be of
great benefit to the corporators.
Tue main questions to be decided
is What kind of u monument is IRE
fered, Grani,e, Marble or Bronze
aud what will be the cost While
Preston county should not ALLOW a
cheap monument to lie erected on
her beautiful square in memory of
her sons who so nobly rallied to her
call from OF 10 '65. Ii will be impos-
sibie To do otherwise unless our
County Court will come to the rescue
"t "nr cprporators with nnapprppria-
ton OF at least one thousaud dollars.
While 1t must he admitted than the
law does not authorize ths court TO
app opriate money for this purpose
II does authorize them to nppropriate
mOney for The purpose OF improving
aud Identifying the public grounds
aud buildings of the couniy's. and il
will not be disputed that n monument
to the memory of her soldiers would
be the most beautIfula and appropriate
decoration that could be made. From
the best information at baud 1t would
seem that anything like IA suitable
monument in Granite or fine Marble
would cost anywhere from three TO
four thousand dollars, aud fair
Bronze monument would cost from
eighteen to twenty five hundred. If
the County Court will assist In a sub
siantial way AIN satisfied that many
indiYidua's will follow with snbscrin.
lions running from twenty
i've to one hundred dollars
II nothing is done by court of in
dividuals the cheap monument will
60 UP. even though IL becomes
necessary for the corpofators and
OF ers to vouch for the money.
II would be great pleasure
to the Old soldiers that are still
living TO witness the dedication of
a suitable monument to their com
rades that fell by their sides in MANY
conflicts, aud who was not permitted
to zee home und meet with loved
ones, rs many OF us were and are nv-
ing 10 day to enjoy the benefits OF
our great sacriilce nnder the same
fog that we fought to perpetuate. SO
II is our duty as we'll MS the duty Of
every citizen Of Preston county to
rally to the support OF the monument.
This statement Is made to satisfy
nur lricnda u,l1n 49,. n,.i.....ll- u -