University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1910-07-13
PLAN MEMORIAL
TO UNCLE REMUS
Association Formed to Buy
Home of Joel Chandler
Harris.
ROOSEVELT WILL ASSIST
Children of Every Land to be
Given Opportunity to
Contribute.
ROOSEVELT WILL ASSIST

Ter Harris on July B. 1908, his home
"a modest cottage in West End, Il
suburb of Atlanta-has been the mecca
OF hundreds who know his tales and
who count it q privilege TO breathe the
air and to saunter over the premises
of Snap Bean Farm
The very name of the place is typ
zeal OF Uncle Remus. Who but Joel
Chandler Harris, with his love for the
simple and the transformations, would
have thought of this wholesome init
mate title for the few acres that sur
round the low, wide-verandaed cot
tage? And the house itself is called
The Sign of the Wren's Nest" be-
cause, year after year. a pair OF wrens
built their home in the mail box that
hung on the gate.
The creator of Br'er Rabbit and
Br'er Fox, and Sis Cow and Mis- Mead
OWS and de gals. had Won for himself
the love OF millions. Especially was
he loved by the children. The child
who has not heard the tale of "Br'er
Rabbit and the Tar Baby" or the story
of How Br'er Bear Lost His Tail"
has indeed missed part of the her
itase OF childhood. For him, the an
inlalS hav" no meaning. If his child
ish Imagination has not been stimu-
lated by Uncle Remus's stories of the
wild folk OF field and forest, he will
have little understanding or sympathy
for the four-foOted tribes.
All May Help.
a short ii @ after the death of Mr..
Harris an Uncle Remus Memorial AS
SOciatiOn" was organized. The move
ment was started by ex-Mayor Joiner
of Atlanta. and was taken up by prom
inent clubwomen. Mrs. a. Med. Viii
son is president of the association, and
President Taft. eX-President Roosevelt
and Mr.. Carnegie are among the hon
orary vica-presiGents. The object of
the association is to purchase the
home of Uncle Remus from the Harris
heirs and make memorial OF it. The
property is assessed at $4,000, and,
as soon as it became known that the
Uncle Remus Memorial Association
could buy the property, several rich
men offered to give the entire amount.
but since Uncle Remus had been be-
loved by many, it was thought best
that many be allowed to help in the
Of Snap Bean Farm
From all over the civilized world
letters approving the plan of the as
ISOLATION poured in. Mr.. Carnegie gave
a check for $4,000. Julia Ward Howe
and other American writer's expressed
their hearty sympathy with the work,
and from children all over the coun-
try came countless small donations.
Plans of Association.
The association plans to install IL
brary in part of the house, to preserve
memorial rooms where Mr.. Harris
lived and worked. and to convert the
grounds into a playground for children.
1t has also been suggested that free
be conducted in the
house. Upon the lawn fountain will
be placed, reproducing the well known
four-footed characters of his stories in
bronze or marble.
Movement International.
Work of the Uncle Remus Memoir
ial Association is not purely local. The
officers are endeavoring to make the |
international. They wish |
all who have enjoyed the Uncle Remus |
stories to lave a hand. The stories of |
the escapades of Br'er Rabbit have |
been translated into seventeen Ian
suages, and the Memorial Association |
proposes 10 give the children of every
land an opportunity to help.
In all lands. the homes of men of
genius have been preserved. and it is
fitting that the home of Mr..
Harris, who understood and loved chill
iren, should echo through the coming
years with the shouts of children.
The fact that Theodore Roosevelt
has accepted an invitation. given him
oy Mrs. A. McD. Wilson, president of
he Uncle Remus Memorial Associa-
ion. TO visit Atlanta next October and
make an address for the benefit of the Il
association. proves the interest that
he eX-President and the general public
axe in the work of purchasing the
Harris home. OF the many invita-
ions for addresses received, and nee.
'sSarily refused by Mr.. Roosevelt. this
1le was accepted by him while in
'aris recently While in Atlanta newt
all Mr.. Roosevelt will be the guest of