The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1903-11-06
Confederate Monument at Marion.

Mr.. EDIToR-I have been asked BY q
brave veteran of Marlboro to write you O
short article descriptive of our Confede-
rate monument, which was unveiled here
on Wednesday October 81, so that the
patriotic women Of your county may feel
encouraged when they hear Of our strug-
gle 10 take fresh hold of the matter and
redoublc their efforts to build fitting
memorial TO the soldiers Of Marlboro.
Surely they deserve it-surely there
we're no braver. truer men from any part
Of the State than from old Marlboro, and
the women should feol proud to do them
honor.
The idea of q monument to the soldiers
of Marion county first originated in the
brain and heart Of Mrs j. D. MoLucas,
who. as Miss Elvira Sherwood. had nur.
scd the sick and wounded soldiers iu the
hospitals during the war. She was ably
seconded by Mrs Duncan Mcintyre, who
had gone TO the front with her husband
and learned the full meaning of war.
In spite Of the greatest efforts. the fund
grew very slowly. so slowly as to be dis>
couraging, but they never gave up. and
as the younger generation camo en- they
wcle impressed with tho importance of
the cause, and the interest in it ut once
augmented.
About sig years ago. tho Marion Chap
ter u. D. c., was formed here. The first
officers were Mrs NJ e. Durham. prest.
Mrs A. NJ. Blue, vice prest., Mrs Dun.
can Mcintyre treasurer Kate Lilly Blue
soc'y. Their chief object was to raise the
money necessary to build the monument,
but rs they were pledged to aid all other
worthy causes, they could not make the
money soon enough. So. in March 1901
the Ladies Monument Association was
organized for the sole purpose Of building
the monument as soon as possible.
The officers Of this society we're Mrs G.
4 Durham, ilicst, Mrs. q =. Noods
vice prcs,,, Kate llliy Eluc sec'y, and
they wnn 10 wors 10 earnest.
4 subscription list was prepayed anu
Slnt s'smpd, u Indy in cncb township
%Ra a'pprAniea 20 sa&c subscriptions, and
an entertainment committee vas ar
pointed whose business it was to devise
novel and attractive entertainments which
would draw crowds and bring in dollars.
Ey the summer of 1902 the whole
amount decided on, $2300. was in hand.
and plans and specifications reoeived from
different sources.
The plan selected was bronze statue
Of a Confederate soldier with his gun
resting upon his arm, upon q pedestal of
granite. The figure il s #, the pedestal
l6 #. an! rs it stands in the centre Of our
beautiful elm shaded square at the inter-
section Of Main and Godbold sts., it
makes quite au imposing spectacle.
1t was unveiled on the 2lst, Bishop
Ellison Capers delivering the Grafton and
Judge j. II. Hudson addressing tho as
semblcd veterans. 1t was great day for
Marion. There was crowd numbering
5000 present, among them being ut least
$50 veterans. The writer had the honor
and pleasure Of pinning the badges givon
by the Ladies Monument Association and
the u. D: c., and sho was thankful to sec
SO many survivors sill left.
The town was gayly decorated in pa
triotic colors, and the parade way from
Railroad Avenue down Main to Square.
There were TWO military companies and q
brass band. then carriages containing the
speakers. carriages containing officers of
the Ladies Monument Association and
officers Of the u y. c.. then floats con.
tanning members OF the two societies, then
the children from the Graded School and
lastly 272 battlc-scarred. time woln veto
rams, 1t was an affecting sight
The cords were pulled by four little
girls, The descendants Of Confederate vet.
Grams. and as the unveiling fluttered down
the band played Dixie and the veterans
gave the rebel yell, lcd by that grand old
rebel, Capt At. Harllce of Dillon.
1t was day long to be remembered in
Marion, and we who have given our time
an1 our labors to this cause feel amply re
paid for NIL.
KATE LILLY BLUE.
Marion. S. q.