The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-08-20

The unVeiling Of the beautiful new
monument, erected in memory of the
heroic women of the Cape Fear sec
ton during the Revolutionary war,
which took place at MOore's Creek bat
tie ground, near Currie, yesterday, was
one OF the most interesting occasions
in the history of the state and it
brought together a representative gath
ering Of more than three thousand per-
sons from the eastern section of North
Carolina.
Five car loads of Wilmington citi-
Zens left on the $40 train on the A.
n Y. yesterday morning to attend
the exercises and they returned to
the city last night shortly after nine
o'clock, speaking in words of praise
for the successful and interesting man.
ner in which the ceremonies took
place.
Led by Chief Marshal E. J. Halves,
Jr., with his so aides, all mounted, the
long procession made up of thousands
Of people, made it's way firm Currie,
to the battle ground, a distance of
about th~ree-quarters of a mile, the ex-
ercises taking place at the new mOnu-
ment, which occupies a commanding
position on the top Of a small knoll.
After the vast assemblage had been
called t order an eloquent prayer was
invoked by Rev. A. d. Mcclure, d. D.,
of this city.
The presentation speech was then
made by Hon. E. A. Halves. and the
c,n,,h e nn11,+,,,1, I-- D,--;1o.+ To-
f. Moore, Of the MOOre's Creek Battle
Ground Association, both of these be-
ing COuched in eloquent and impressive
words. The unwilling hen occurred,
the string that dropped the covering
from the beautiful memorial being lam
died by Misses Lillian COlvin and Kate
Bannerman. The monument was then
decorated by Misses B. B. Lucan and
Jennie Halves, assisted by thirteen
young ladies representing the thir-
teen original colonies.
THE MONUMENT.
The monument stands 16 feet in
height. The base is of Georgia granite,
while the figure surrounding this, is
of imported Italian marble. The figure
is that of a woman, with a laure1
wreath in her hand. The statue stands
six feet in height and it rests on a
base, die, and cap, the entire mOnu-
ment making a very pretty appear
ance. The base is five feet, six inches
square and the wsight of the structure
is $500 pounds.
The inscriptions on the four faces of
the monument which were prepared
by the Colonial DANES of this city, are
as follows: .
This monument was erected by the
Moors's Creek Battle Ground Associa-
ton in the year 1907"
To the hOnored memory Of the
Heroic Women of the Lower Cape
Fear section during the American Rev
Olution. 1775-17S1."
."Unswerving in devotion, self-sacri-
ficing in the loyalty to the cause of
their country, their works do follow
them and their children rise up and
call them blessed"
Most honored Of the names recorded
by this historic association is that OF
Mary SlOcumb. wife of Lieutenant
Slocomb. who riding alone at night,
IS miles. to succOr the wounded on this
battlefield. Her herOism and self-sac-
ritce place her high on the pages of
history and should aWaEen in success
sive generations true patriotism and
love of country. Nirte:es majOrum
feliae COnserVant.
CONGRESSMAN THOMAS SPEECH.
After the singing of The Old North
State and music by the band, fol-
lowing the unwilling, the immense
crowd repaired to the new pavilion,
where the address of the occasion was
delivered by Congressman Charles r.
Thomas, of the Third North Carolina
district. The speech was listened to
with earnest attention and the remarks
of the speaker frequently brought forth
annlause. The address was eloquent
and inspiring.
CONGRESSMAN Thomas said among
other things that he rejoiced To be
present upon this glorious and auspl-
cious occasion to see the fruitiOn aud
accomplishment of the hopes D: the
citizens of Fender county and the Cape
Fear section of North Carolina.
He congratulated the Moore's Creek
Monumental Association upon the
completion of their labor OF love in
rescung the monument from decay,
erecting beautiful new monument: to
the Women Of the Revolution, and