The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-04-18
MONTGOMERY. ALABAMA SUNDAY. APRIL IS, 1909.

Massachusetts State Monument for vicksburg, one of the earliest to be consigned to the new National Park. Mr. Kitson practically took charge of the preliminary dedication arrange ments which brought the Massachus- etts Governor and other ofiiciais down to the Mississippi city. gave them the time of their lives. and did perhaps as much as any one event in many years to promote feeling of amity between the States. close in timacy was formed at that time be- tween General Lee. who was member of the Park Commission. and the en- ergetic Northern sculptor.
 Besides the large statue which mas just been completed. Mir. Kftson has practically finished at his studio in Quincy, . model of bust of General Lee, of which two copies are to be cast in, bronze. one for the Agrfcult- urai and Mechanical College of Mis- sissippi, of which the ex-Confederats leader was president for many years; the other for the City of Columbus. Miss. which was his home town. This work represents the General as thous- ands of Americans have known and admired him in his later career.
 The larger model is just about to be sent to bronze founders in New York. where 1t will be cast in accordance with the best present day practice. It will be ready. barring accidents. which are unlikely. fin time for the dedication on June II. one of the days when the United Confederate Veterans will be in session at Memphis. Tenn. making a special excursion to Vicksburg. Its location will be on Confederate Ave nue. near the railroad redoubt. ana opposite the Iowa State Memorial. an appropriate placing. since 1t was the boys from Iowa who assaulted the fort which General Lee defended with great skill and bravery during the siege.
 The first monument of leader of the Lost Cause to be installed at the National Military Park represents com tributions from many sources. North and South. It was made possible largely through the devoted energy and initiative of Captain William II. Rigby. chairman of the National Mili- Iowa soldier. fought against General Lee in '63 and who, as an associate ID the work of the Commission. became one of his warmest friends and admir- CTS. No man in the whole South will be happier than Captain Rigby when the memorial Is in place.
 This is the third important commits sion which Mr. Kitson has done for Vicksburg, the preceding ones having been monuments for the States of Mas sachusetts and Iowa. He has also@fe- gently finished for dedication at Pa ducah. Ky. on May tb. full length statue of General Lloyd Tilghman who was killed by cannon ball at Champ ions Hill during the vicksburg cam paign. The sculptor is an English man by birth, who came to this coun- try when i2 years old. and who. after the usual difficulttes and privations of the art student. became one of the foremost of American sculptors He holds the decoration of the Royal or- der of Rene Merenti from the King of Roumani, medals from the exposltions at. Paris, 1889; Chicago. 1893; Paris. 1900 and numerous other honors His wife, who was Miss Theo Alice Rug gies, is one of the worlds best-known women sculptors. MT. Kitson expects to be at vicksburg at the dedication or the Lee memorial in June.