The weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Craig County, Okla.) 1905-1913, 1909-06-11
BY Associated Press.

BY Associated Press.
Vicksburg. Miss, June 7-on June
II, the day following the close of the
United Confederate Veterans Reunion
at Memphis, many OF the old soldiers
and other notables will assemble here
to attend the unveiling Of statue
OF the late General Stephen Dill Lee,
who was commander-in-chief of the
Confederate organization at the time
of his death.
II was in the seige Of vicksburg that
General Lee won his spurs as a dash
ing and intrepid commander, and the
last years of his life were devoted to
the perfection OF the great pational
military park here, General Lee died
at Vicksburg. May 2S, 1908, and it is
peculiarly fitting that the south's
memorial statue 20 him should be
erected on the spot which he loved SO
well, ON the same day another monu-
ment to his memory, though smaller
in size, will be unveiled at the state
agricultural and mechanical college at
Starkville, Miss, as he was the first
president of that institution. This
memorial. though of lesser Importance
than the vleksbure statue. neserthe.
less emphasizes the universal affec-
ton Of the people Of Mississippi for
him. Another monument will be plac-
81 al the grave in Columbus where the
old commander sleeps in everlasting
rest
North south, east and west will
send celebrities to do honor to the
memory of the chivalrous soldier of
Dixie. Major General Frederick Dent
Grant, of the department of the lakes,
has been delegated by the secretary Of
war 10 receive the statue on the part
OF the United States, which will be
Officially presented TO him by General
Clement A. Evans, OF Georgia. com
mander in chief of the United Confed-
crate Veterans, Colonel George r.
Peck, Of Chicago, will be orator of the
day, and Henry Watterson of Ken
tucky. the veteran editor of the Louis
vile courier-Journal, will be master
Of ceremonies and preside at the au-
spicious occasion. Many of the last
surviving generals of the Confederacy
and other eminent men will be pres
ent Secretary of War Jacob NJ. Dick
lnson, ~ho was a fellow.townsman Of
General Lee at Columbus, has ex-
pressed his keenest regrets that Of
ficial duties would prevent him from
being present.
The we'll known sculptor, Henry
Hudson Kitaon. of Quincy. Mass who
designed the statue. will be present
to direct the placing OF his handwork.
He is the creator of many handsome
monuments of various northern states
already completed and dedicated In
the Vieksburg national military park.
In his work. he knew General Lee.
then one OF the park commissioners,
and put his best efforts into this
statue
The unveiling OF the monument will
occur at o'clock in the afternoon IN
the national military park. Hospitable
vieksburg will welcome thousands of
Mississippians and Louisianians with
In her gates. Governor Noel. Of Mis-.
sissippi. and Sanders. of Louisiana.
with their respective STATS. viii be
present and the division officers Of
the Confederate organization will ar
rive from Memphis on the morning OF
June II.
Already the vicksburg people have
thrown heart and soul into the work
Of assisting In the exercises in an Of.
fort TO make il one OF the most mem
orable occasions since the siege Of the
historic city. Citizens committees
have arranged for every detail. the
local military companies will fire sa.
mtes aud hundreds OF school children
viii join IN patriotic songs.
The statue Is one Of life size and
represents General Lee in moment
Of triumph after one of his victories
in skirmish about vieksbufg It