Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-06-02
GEN. LEES SERVANT
PLANS MEMORIAL
"Marse Robert Wouldn't Ap-
prove of All This Fuss,
Though" He Says.

About this time of year, Rev. William
Mack Lee will be planning a Memorial
day all his own at Raleigh, N. G.
One can picture him smoothing out
q long-tailed Confederate coat, slightly
frayed at the collar, as he whispers to
himself while maticulously arranging
full score of medals In proper array
across its front. He will tell you that
his "Marse Robert wouldn't approve of
all the fuss" but that he "jeS' has to
appear in his honah, sub"
The occasion for Rev. Lees prepare
tions IS June 3, the date on which
several OF the Southern States observe
son Davis, President Of the Confederacy.
To Rev Lee, who during four years
of war Travelled at the side of Gen.
Robert E. Lee, the day is "Marse
Roberts" day. All days publicly OBJ
served in connection with the life OF
the Confederacy are his 'Marse
Roberts" days.
Active Despite 81 Years.
Today Rev. Lee is a missionary Bap-
fist preacher, ministering to congre-
cation despite his 81 years. In the COS
his title, If title he had, was cook and
body servant, and he did everything
for the Southern leader that young,
adoring colored bog could do for his
H1aSSd. ne RPEeTdl llhtu
berries and William Mack became one
OF the most proficient berry pickers in
the corps. The general liked pork and
the sound of pigs grunt anywhere
along the line Of march was enough to
send William Mack on foraging party.
In the years following the war, Rev.
Lee has divided his time between
numerous congregations and attendance
upon annual reunions OF the Confeder-
ate veterans The medals he wears
across his breast attest to his emphatic
assertion that he hasn't missed more
than one since Appomattox.
On cold, clustering December morn
ing several years ago, a group of men
stood with Rev Lee at the base of Stone
Mountain, near Atlanta, Ga, where
August Lukeman, the sculptor, is cary
ing likenesses of Confederate leaders in
march under their Standards across the
side of the largest block of granite in
the world. In the bright sunshine,
standing directly in front and under
the sculptured head of Gen. Robert E.
Lee, members of the party sought to
point out to the venerable colored man
the likeness of his "Marse Robert"
white Folks" Sent Him.
His white folks friends" in Raleigh
had dubbed together and given Rev.
Lee the trip to Atlanta. His many
ability to travel, wanted to delight him
with one visit to what is destined to
become one Of the worlds wonders. He
made the trip. Respondent in his long
tailed coat with many medals, as digni-
fed and unasSuming as the mayor OF
Atlanta, who met him. The chief of
police of the city placed his private
automobile at Rev. Lees disposal for
the day. A group of newspaper men
accompanied him on the 16-mile ride
over roads he had Travelled so years
earlier.
The wind brought tears to the aged
mans eyes on the ride to the mountain.
and handicapped further by falling
sight. he had great difficulty In making
moment the group feared the trip was
in vain, for the old man could not
make out the figure. It was pathetic
the way he tried.
mo, sub, I jes' CANT see i'm" he
said plaintively. Now, isn't tibet funny?
Are you boys suah he's up on tibet
mount-ing? Id know i'm Tn minnit
I see i'm If he wuz."
The group moved nearer the base of
the mountain, hoping to reach letter
vantage point, and left Rev. Lee stand
ing on the slight rise, his hand pro-
tecting his eyes from the glare Of De-
cember sun, his coat tails streaming in
the wind OF sudden his shout beat
back In echo from the mountain side.
"Dar He Is! See Im|
Oar he Is! Oar he Is! Oar is my
Marse Robert. Boys, I see I'M. Marse
Robert, I salute you, sub! God bless
yo' SOUL" Bowling low, he swept his
broad brimmed hat across the medals
on his breast. AS he raised himself,
tears were In his eyes ard on his face
an expression of alteration that kept
the group back. fascinated
For a time those who accompanied
him were nonexistent in his sight. He
got a stiff neck from looking so intently
at the mountain side. In the sculptors
studio at the base of the mountain,
where miniature Of the projected me-
mortal was displayed in bold belief. Rev.
Lee danced and sang and courtesied
with the enthusiasm Of a child. Con-
federate leaders portrayed in the NINA
ture drew rapid-flre comment. and
when he saw the small figure of Stone
wall Jackson. he leaned forward and
kissed the generals foot. "A man,
suh," he exclaimed. He wuz q real
man, God bless i'm"
Didn't Want to Leave.
He did not want to leave the place
He was reliving events clearer in his
recollection than events Of the day be-
lore, ana Wnen his 1rlenQS nnally
started him back to the city, he RECALLED
them all the way with stories, some of
them doubtless Of the Imagination, that
have not found way into history.
What Gen. Lee said when he caught
him stealing a pig. What the general
said to jackson one evening after the
two had prayed together. How Jackson
almost said "cuss word" one time.
The significance of the North's Me-
mortal day is not lost on Rev. Lee
There is no bitterness in his soul, II
any ever existed. "Marse Robert"
loved everybody and insisted that he
be kind and fair to everybody and the
greatest man in the world could not
be wrong. But where Memorial day is
concerned, there is but one for Rev. |
Lee, the day when his Southern white
folks gather in honeysuckle bordered
cemeteries and place flowers on ivy
covered graves.
His Mr.. JEFF Davis" may share with
his "Marse Robert" some of the glory
of the observance on June 3. But it
will be "Marse Roberts" day Gus
tom has it that Rev Lee will visit
the Confederate cemetery nearest his
humble house, house his white
friends gave him. He may find 1t diff1-
cult TO get about. but "Marse Rob-
ert's" cook and body servant "jes' has
to appear in his honah."
SYNOD SESSION PL ANNED, !