The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-19
Unveiling or Lees Monument At Stone
 Mountain

The Confederate monument which is being carved at Stone mountain by Gutzon Borglum is gigantic project which is creating much genuine in- terest among the U. D. c. and others. The head of Gen. Robert E. Lee has been completed and will be unveiled to- day with appropriate ceremonies.
 Mrs. William Sykes and Mrs. Hu- bert Scruggs are in Atlanta for this event. Mrs. Sykes recently won a U. D. c. prize for the best song about the monument. The Atlanta American has the following account: q,
 Almost every event of the coming week in Atlanta is swallowed up in the importance of the observance of next Saturday of the birthday anni- vcrsary of Gen. Robert E. Lee, when the head of the great leader of the Con- federate forces will be unveiled, carved iil the granite side of Stone mountain. : For the notable ceremonies of un- yelling, seven governors of southern states will come to Atlanta and be fet"d visitors of the day.
 Mrs. Helen Plane, 94-year-old wiuow of'a gallant officer of the Con- federacy who was killed in battle, a charter member of the U. D. C., and the original prime mover of the project of carving on the precipice of Stone mountain deathless memorial to the nation which rose so white and fair and fell so pure of crime," has been selected for the honor of unveiling the finished head of Robert E. Lee on the afternoon of Saturday, January 10, the one hundred and seventeenth anni- versary of the birth Of the tsouth's peerless chieftain.
 It was Mrs. Plane, with group of U. D. c. associates, whospmmoned Gut zon Borblum to Atlanta in 1915 and took him to Stone mountain for the purpose of considering and passing judgment upon their idea of carving on the monster wall of granite figure of Lee. So vast was the mountain that the sculptor proposed to carve upon it not the single figure of Lee, but a panaroma representing the whole Con- federate military force.
 Today the first stage in that stu pendous conception is nearing comple- tion. After eight years of delay, oc- casioued by the World war and other circumstances, the project was finally given definite start by the Stone Mountain Memorial association in May of last year. Actual carving was com menced on June IS. And now the head of Lee, greater than any other portrait ever carved in stone or mar ble or cast in bronze, is emerging from the precipice. At the age of 94 years, Mrs. Plane has lived to see a part of her dream come true.
 On the afternoon of Saturday, Jan uary 19, Lees birthday, it will be un- yelled. Standing on rostrum erected in front of the mountain for this Oc- casion, Mrs. Plane will press a button which will flash an electric signal to men on the precipice, who will sweep back double curtain composed of two flags. The head of Lee will stand re- vealed. The first great step in the ac- complishment of this new wonder of the world will be reality.
 There is something else at work in that granite besides myself and the stone cutters and drillers," said Mr. Borglum to friend. T don't know what it is. But know it is there. It has affected all of us."
 In the last three weeks the sculptor has performed what the men around him consider miracle of progress. They did not believe it was humanly possible for him to finish the head by January 19..
 Don't worry. It will be finished" |" he told them.
 He has worked day and night. Climbing the long sloping accent of the mountain at the break of day, he has driven himself, and his men, with furious intensity. When the day shift of stone cutters knock off in the after noon they have left him there to drive the night shift. His meals have been sent up to him by the basket, which runs on a steel cable. He has slept several nights in hammock impro- vised on the platform, sheltered by the canvas which surrounds the head.