The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-15
strewn; the fences were allowed to rot,
and fall: grass grew on the mounds so
entangled apd heavy that they are hardly

strewn; the fences were allowed to rot,
and fall: grass grew on the mounds so
entangled apd heavy that they are hardly
discernible.
The sound of the reaper. the whisper
tngs OF the farmer boys love to his
sweetheart, the chIrp OF the brushrithrush
Is all the company the boys from the
South have, had, sleeping in their lonely
graves far away from homo and loved
ones. They seemed forgotten.
For twenty-five years this state OF APP
parent forgetfulness on the part OF all,
&c far as these soldiers were concerned.
seemed apparent.
The cemetery is in the same state of
decay to-day. But 1t will not be SO
in another six months from this time.
The people of the city OF Alton. aided
by the Chapter Of the Daughters OF the
Confederacy, ST. Louis. and the Daugh-
tiers Of the Revolution. are going to re-
store the cemetery. o,@tis
The roster OF the dead buried within
the cemetery has beens securd anddan
effort will be made to place head stones
bearing the correct name at the head Of
each grave.
When this Is accomplished, the Gene.
terry will be improved In every way; no
expense shall be spared.
II. j. Bowman. one Of Atoms best
known business men. assisted by Mrs.
Etholia. Moore, president of the Daugh-
ters Of the Confederacy In st. Louis. are
the leaders In the movement
To Erect Monument.
After the cemetery has been beautined
funds will be secured for the placing ofa'
k5.OOO monument at the head Of Pros,
pect Street In Alton
From this position on the summit Of the
BLUM this monument will look down into
tho NfioStcoipri mud Missouri riynrs on
the South, and towards the land and
homes OF the brave soldiers who sleep
but short distance away.
On the East OF this tower of granite to
the memory Of brave men will look down
upon the site of the old penitentiary, the
walls OF which have long ago crumbled
and fallen.
The promoters of this beautiful plan
arc enthusiastic: the citizens OF Alton are
enthusiastic: the project cannot fail.
Mrs. Etholia Moore, the president Of
one of the most enthusiastic and hard
working chapters of the Daughters Of
tho Confectionery in ST. Louis will collect
funds for the restoration OF the Confed-
crate cemetery at Alton.
And the fact that Mrs Moore's chan
ter has IN the past two months raised
over $1,000 proves her earnestness. There
is seldom week passes that some In
quiry docs not come from the South,
asking II father or son is not buried
in tho Alton Confederate burial ground.
The promoters Of the plan to beautify
this cemetery intend that the relatives
of every person buried In the cemetery
shall have word of the fact, and shall
know that the grave is being cared for.
Permission From Congress-
It is necessary that permission be Sc
cured from Congress to beautify these
grounds, and this permission has been re-
quested through the Senators and Con-
gressmen from Illinois and Missouri.
There can be no doubt Of the reply;
Congress will not refuse aArequest of t's'-
nature Those members OF Congress In
teryiewed will use their influence to secure
tho permit,
It is the plan OF those Interested in
the project to have the cemetery beau
Stlhed and the graves located properly.
before the time Of the st. Louis Worlds
fair.
A request to the Board of Managers of
the Worlds fair at st. Louis has been fay-
orably considered to allow plan for tho
collection OF funds to be used during the
f,ir.
Boxes will be placed In all OF the State
buildings Of the exposition, In which
funds may BIO placed toward defraying
the expense OF the monument projected