USA > Georgia > Georgia's landmarks, memorials and legends, Volume II > Part 75
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SIDNEY LANIER. 1842-1880.
"The Catholic man who hath mightily won God out of knowledge and good out of infinite pain And sight out of blindness and purity out of a stain."
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FATHER RYAN. 1842-1886. "To the higher shrine of love divine My lowly feet have trod. I want no fame, no other name Than this-a priest of God."
JAMES R. RANDALL. 1839-1908. "Better the fire upon the roll, Better the blade, the shot, the bowl, Than crucifixion of the soul, Maryland, my Maryland."
PAUL HAYNE. 1830-1886. "Yet would I rather in the outward state Of song's immortal temple lay me down, A beggar, basking by that radiant gate, Than bend beneath the haughtiest empire's crown."
Surrounding the monument there are four marble seats. With the single exception of Lanier, these gifted men of genius were for a number of years associated
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with the intellectual and social life of Augusta, while two of them-Hayne and Randall-lie buried in the city cemetery in a section known as "Poets' Row." We quote from a local newspaper* the following brief ac- count of the exercises of unveiling :
Long before the hour of 5 o'clock the crowd began to gather around the monument, and soon the 400 seats placed on the green were filled, as was the driveway around, with automobiles.
When Mrs. Cole and the members of her party arrived they were seated near the stand, upon which the Mayor and members of Council were seated and also the clergy of the city, and those who were to take part in the program.
When the hour of 5 struck more than a thousand people were present and the audience was a most representative one, citizens of all ages being present from the eldest citizen to babies in the arms of their nurses.
The first thing on the program was the unveiling of the monument, by little Cornelia White, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. B. White, and Master Whiteford Cole, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Whiteford Cole, of Nashville.
Hon. Linwood Hayne, who presided over the exercises, then introduced the Rev. S. B. Wiggins, pastor of St. John's Methodist Church, who made the opening prayer. A chorus of about seventy school children, trained by Miss Harris, then sang sweetly, "Maryland, My Maryland," with an accom- paniment of harp and violin.
Chancellor Kirkland, of Vanderbilt University, was introduced by Mr. Hayne, and he presented the monument, on behalf of Mrs. Cole, to the city of Augusta in a most eloquent speech, which was listened to with the closest attention and received with the heartiest applause. Chancellor Kirk- land paid a beautiful and fitting tribute to the four poets, in whose memory the monument is erected, and in glowing terms mentioned their separate claim to fame and their loyalty to the Southland, in whose honor their most inspired songs were sung.
Chancellor Kirkland was followed by the Rev. M. Ashby Jones, who accepted the monument in behalf of the city. Dr. Jones always rises to an occasion as few can, and his beautiful, inspiring and uplifting speech of acceptance and appreciation was expressed with his customary felicity of expression and eloquent earnestness.
Dr. Jones spoke beautifully of the inspiration this monument would be to the young men and women of the city; of its perpetual appeal to them to demand the best and to seek the highest ideals. He closed by saying : "I accept, in behalf of all Augusta, this beautiful expression of your love for this city, and thank you that you have helped and honored us, for this day and for the days that are to come."
*The Augusta Chronicle, issue of Tuesday, April 29, 1913.
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Following Dr. Jones, Mr. William H. Hayne delivered an original ode, written in honor of the occasion, that was a gem of poetic thought and charming expression. One of Father Ryan's beautiful poems, put to music by Miss Harris, was then sung by the chorus to a familiar air. The serv- ices were concluded with a short prayer and benediction uttered by Father Kane, of St. Patrick's Church.
At the conclusion of the exercises Mrs. Cole was surrounded by countless old friends in the city, many of whom had not had the pleasure of meeting her personally since they were young folks together. The shadows of even- ing were falling before the crowd finally dispersed.
Barrett Plaza : The Directly in front of the Union Sta- Walsh Monument. tion, on Barrett Plaza, facing the city of Augusta, whose busiest s'ec- tion lies between the plaza and the river stands a handsome statue in bronze of one of the most beloved of Augustans: United States Senator Patrick Walsh. Coming to Augusta from his boyhood home in Ireland, he became in the course of time editor and owner of the Augusta Chronicle, one of the most powerful individual factors in the development of his adopted town and one of the most commanding figures in the political life of Georgia. Before reaching the end of his days-a period all too short-he wore by executive appointment the toga of the American Senate, succeeding in this high forum the lamented Alfred H. Colquitt. With impressive ceremonies, on June 20, 1913, occurred the formal exercises of unveiling. Two distinguished Georgia editors, Hon. Clark Howell, of Atlanta, and Hon. Pleasant A. Stovall, of Savannah, both warm and inti- mate personal friends of the deceased, delivered the prin- cipal addresses. We quote the following account of the exercises from a newspaper report :*
There were probably 3,000 people gathered on Barrett Plaza at 6:15 o'clock when the heroic bronze statue of the late Senator Patrick Walsh, mounted on a mammoth marble pedestal, was presented to the city and accepted by Mayor L. C. Hayne from the Walsh Memorial Association.
*From the Augusta correspondent of the Atlanta Constitution, in issue of June 21, 1913.
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The address of the occasion by Hon. Clark Howell, of Atlanta, and Hon. Pleasant A. Stovall, of Savannah, both of whom knew Mr. Walsh intimately, were sympathetic and held the rapt attention of the big crowd.
Grandnieces of Mr. Walsh, Misses Catherine Smith and Marie Walsh, pulled the cords which loosened the veil from the statue. A commodious stand was erected on the north side of the monument, on which were seated the members of Mr. Walsh's family, the speakers of the day, Mayor L. C. Hayne, of Augusta; members' of the city council and other city officials and a number of Mr. Walsh 's closest personal friends, who were extended special invitations to occupy seats upon the stand.
Secret orders of which Mr. Walsh was a member attended the exercises in a body. These orders were the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Knights of Columbus and the Elks. The cadet body of the Academy of the Sacred Heart also attended the ceremonies en masse.
Following the introductory music, the invocation by Rev. P. H. Mc- Mahon, of Washington, Ga .. a close friend of the late Senator, and the unveiling, the bronze figure was presented to this city by John J. Cohen, president of the Walsh Memorial Association, existence of which dates from the day of Mr. Walsh 's funeral in March, 1899, Mr. Stovall and Mr. Howell delivered their addresses, following in the order named. The accept- ance speech was delivered by Edward B. Hook, who spoke for Mayor Hayne.
The monument is 8 feet in height, placed on a pedestal of practically the same height of white marble, on the adverse side being engraved a laurel wreath. Above and arching over the wreath is engraved a fitting sentiment. On the reverse side are engraved facts relative to Mr. Walsh, the date of his birth, death and others. Cost of the erection is stated to be about $10,000.
This descriptive account of the monument is taken from a local newspaper :*
The statue is placed facing North. The features brought out true to life, the broad brow, the determined jaws, eyes of the same calm, benign and steady gaze of the Senator of life, the hair, side whiskers and goatee ap- pearing just as in the latter years of his life. The figure shows him wearing a long buttoned frock coat, with the right hand thrust into the bosom of his coat and the left hand hanging by his side, holding a scroll typifying the editor and the lawmaker. The weight of the figure is upon the right foot, while the left is placed slightly forward. The general attitude is that of the speaker.
The pedestal is circular and about five feet in height. Carved in relief on the obverse side is an olive wreath, inside of which are the dates "1840" and "1899." "Patrick Walsh" is carved in bold characters in relief directly above the wreath. On the reverse side appears this inscription, the lines being engraved below each other in the respective order: "Editor of
*Augusta Chronicle, issue of June 21, 1913.
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The Augusta Chronicle, Mayor of the City of Angusta. Member of the Georgia Legislature. U. S. Senator. A Patriotic Citizen. A Loyal Friend. A Lover of Humanity. Erected by His Fellow Citizens."
'The base of the pedestal is a square block of marble, measuring six feet on the side, placed on a concrete foundation. The foundation has been cov- ered with soil and grass planted, which is now growing luxuriously.
Major Archibald On board the ill-fated Titanic, which
Butt: A Hero struck an iceberg in mid-ocean, on the
of the Titanic. evening of April 15, 1912, was a gal- lant son of Augusta-Major Archibald Butt. At the time of his death Major Butt was one of the best-known men in American public life, having served as chief of the President's military staff, under two national administrations, and for eight years no one ever attended the brilliant social functions at the White House without being impressed by the erect and graceful figure of the handsome officer. The disaster in which he lost his life was the greatest marine tragedy of modern times-an ocean holocaust, in which over 1,500 souls perished. The Titanic was the greatest vessel afloat. She was making her maiden voyage from Liver- pool to New York; and some of the most eminent men of the world were on board. The unwritten law of the sea ---- "women and children first"-was rigidly enforced; but the inate chivalry of Archibald Butt made it a needless one, so far as it concerned himself. He was not among the number saved. Only the meagerest details of the colossal tragedy reached Washington after days of anx- ious waiting; and when hope for the brave officer's rescue was finally abandoned, Mr. Taft's comment, made with moisture in his eyes, was this: "He died like a soldier and a gentleman." The President afterwards came to Augusta for the express purpose of paying a heart-felt memorial tribute to his beloved chief of staff.
Archibald Willingham Butt came of an old Augusta family, and on the banks of the Savannah River at this place he was born on September 26, 1866. Here he grew
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up, attending the local schools; but, losing his father when quite a lad, it was mainly by his mother's hand that the youth was reared. The latter was a Miss Boggs. It was the ardent wish of the boy's mother to see her son in the pulpit, and with the hope of making a minister of Archibald she sent him to Sewanee. But the lad's ambition was to enter the army-the life which fasci- nated him most was the soldier's. As a sort of compro- mise, on leaving college, he drifted into journalism, but without relinquishing his dream. In the course of time, he became the Washington correspondent of the Atlanta Journal, and by a most singular coincidence one of his associates on the paper at this time was the brilliant Jacques Futrelle, who was destined to share his watery grave in the mid-Atlantic.
Major Butt's nearest surviving relatives are his two brothers, Edward H. Butt, of Liverpool, and Lewis Ford Butt, of Augusta. John D. Butt, a third brother, met death in a railway accident a number of years ago. About the same time he also lost an only sister. When on a visit to Atlanta, some few months before the tragic disaster, Major Butt incidentally remarked: "My ambi- tion is to die in such a manner as to reflect credit upon the name I bear." He may not have recalled this wish amid the waters of the Wild Atlantic, on the night when his brave soul went out; but his ambition was fully real- ized. The citizens of Augusta have planned a memorial bridge in his honor to span the Augusta Canal and to keep his name in green remembrance amid the scenes of his youth. At Sewanee, Tenn., a memorial tablet has already been unveiled in the halls of his alma mater, and a handsome monument has also been erected by his comrades of the army in Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, D. C.
Archibald Butt : On April 15, 1914, the handsome me- Memorial Bridge. morial bridge erected by the citizens of Augusta in honor of Major Archi- bald Butt was dedicated in the presence of a vast throng
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of people, numbering perhaps 5,000. It spans the Au- gusta Canal at the intersection of Fifteenth and Greene Streets, near the site of Major Butt's old home. Ex- President of the United States Hon. William H. Taft de- livered the principal address of the occasion, in addition to which the Masonic rites constituted a most impressive feature of the exercises. From a detailed report of this impressive ceremonial the following account is taken :*
Simple but impressive exercises attended the dedication here today of the Butt memorial bridge, erected as a tribute to the memory of the late Major Archibald Willingham Butt, aide to former Presidents Taft and Roosevelt, who perished in the Titanic diaster on April 14, 1912.
Former President Taft, a delegation of Masons from the Temple Noyes Lodge, of Washington, of which Major Butt was a member; local Masons and members of the Butt Memorial Association, participated in the serv- ices, which were held on the handsome new bridge spanning the canal at Fifteenth and Greene Streets.
Arrangements had been completed for the dedication to be held yes- terday afternoon, but on account of rain it was necessary to postpone the ceremonies until today.
The formal dedication of the bridge was preceded by the laying of a cornerstone with ritualistic ceremonies by the Masons.
Former President Taft, the first speaker, spoke feelingly of his former aide as a "Southerner through and through."
"I like to think of him, " said Mr. Taft, "as the best type of the new South, with its full flavor of the chivalrous and patriotic sentiment of the old South, strengthened by the trials of war and its consequences, mellowed by success in its struggles against obstacles after the war. and turned into the deepest loyalty to the flag by the Spanish-American war, and a sense of a full share in the power and responsibility of the government of the country.
"He was a Southerner through and through. He had the tradition of the South deep-seated in his nature. But he had the self-control that en- abled him with entire self-respect to pass unnoticed expressions of preju- dice or criticism toward what he held dear, made thoughtlessly, or upon the assumption that he was not a Southern man."
The bridge proper is constructed of concrete. At each of the two ap- proaches are two massive lions, carved from limestone, one bearing a bronze shield engraved with the coat of arms of the United State, another with the Georgia coat of arms of the Butt family and the fourth the Temple- Noyes Lodge coat of arms. Four tall columns surmounted by bronze eagles
*Augusta correspondent of the Atlanta Constitution, in issue of April 15, 1914.
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rise from the four corners of the central arch of the structure. In the center is a bronze bas-relief of Major Butt. A bronze tablet bears the following insciption, which was written by former President Taft:
"In honor of Archibald Willingham Butt.
"Born in Augusta, Ga., September 26,, 1865.
"Graduated University of the South, 1888.
"Major in United States Army, trusted aide-de-camp to two Presidents.
"Major Butt went to his death on the steamer Titanic after the rescue of the women and children from that ill-fated vessel, April 14, 1912.
"In memory of his noble and lovable qualities as a man.
"His courage and high sense of duty as a soldier.
"His loyalty and efficiency as a public servant.
"His fellow citizens of Augusta dedicate this bridge."
A beautiful and unexpected feature of the day's exercises was the presentation to the citizens of Augusta of another handsome memorial of the late Major Butt, through Mr. LeRoy Herron, worshipful master of the Washington Masonic Lodge, in the form of a life-size copper reproduction . of Major Butt.
At 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon, immediately after its delivery, the handsome statue was set up in the lobby of the Bon Air Hotel, where the entire party and many other visitors for the memorial exercises are stop- ping, and was admired by thousands of people. This morning it was' re- moved to a location near the tablets on the bridge, and was conspicuously a part of today's exercises.
Dennis Cahill: On the banks of the Augusta Canal, near the Butt An Irish Hero. Memorial Bridge, there stands a pyramid of rough stones, erected to commemorate an act of heroism, no less' grand in its humble way than the one which glorified the last moments of Major Butt, on board the ill-fated Titanic. Inscribed upon this pile of rock is the following epitaph :
Dennis Cahill by a deed of self-sacrifice such as all humanity claims and counts among the jewels hallowed this spot and rendered his name worthy of such lasting memory as these rugged stones and this simple tablet can secure, for here he gave his life in a vain attempt to save from drowning a child having no claim for his sac- rifice save humanity and helplessness, July 29, 1910. Born Parish of Castlemagner, County Cork, Ireland, June, 1861.
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GEORGIA'S LANDMARKS, MEMORIALS AND LEGENDS
Colonel Samuel One of the most illustrious soldiers Hammond: Revo- of Georgia in the first war for inde- lutionary Patriot. pendence was Colonel Samuel Ham- mond, whose conspicuous part in the siege of Augusta has embalmed him in the lasting grati- ture of this metropolis and in the love of all Georgians. Colonel Hammond, at the beginning of the last century, represented this State in Congress, after which he be- came by appointment of President Jefferson the first Territorial Governor of Missouri. His last years were spent at Varello, his country-seat, on the south Carolina side of the Savannah River, near Augusta. To recall the patriotic services of Colonel Hammond there stands on Greene Street a handsome memorial to this distinguished soldier and civilian. It consists of a solid block of rough- hewn granite, surmounted by a bronze bust of Colonel Hammond, in the uniform of a Continental officer. The . inscription on the monument reads as follows :
SAMUEL HAMMOND. Born in Richmond County, Va., Sept., 1757. Died at Varello, near Augusta, Sept. 1842.
Captain of Minute Men at Great Kanawha, 1774. Long Bridge, Norfolk, 1775. Aid to Gen. Hand at Pittsburg, 1778. Colonel of Cavalry under Washington, 1779.
With Gen. Greene in every important engagement through Virginia, the Carolinas and Georgia. On the front line at Eutaw, Cowpens and King's Mountain. At the Siege of Charleston, Savannah, and Augusta. Mem- ber of Congress from Georgia, 1802. Appointed by President Jefferson in 1805 to the Command of Upper Louisiana. First Territorial Governor of Missouri. Sec- retary of State in South Carolina, 1831. He gave sixty years of public service to the cause of America. This memorial in his honor placed by the Augusta Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, as the filial tribute of his grandson, Hugh Vernon Washington.
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On March 28, 1913, in the presence of a large gather- ing of representative Augustans, the handsome memo- rial to Colonel Hammond was unveiled with ceremonies befitting the occasion. Rev. M. Ashby Jones, one of the most eloquent men of the State, delivered the principal address. We quote from a local newspaper the following brief account of the exercises :
At the hour of 5 o'clock a crowd of interested spectators gathered and the presentation ceremonies began upon the arrival of Mrs. Ellen Washington Bellamy, of Macon, who is one of the donors of the monu- ment, the other donor being her brother, the late Hugh Vernon Washing- ton, of Macon, a grandson of Colonel Hammond.
Judge William F. Eve presided and introduced the Rev. M. Ashby Jones, who was to present the monument to the city of Augusta in behalf of the donors.
Dr. Jones was never more eloquent than on this occasion.
Hon. Linwood C. Hayne, mayor of Augusta, was next introduced. Said he :
"To that generous-hearted kinswoman of Macon. who, by this act, has demonstrated that the present is not an age entirely of utilitarianism, good people everywhere, with one acclaim, will give applause and rever- ence. From her own purse, she has made this generous donation to the history of the republic, and perpetuated for all time to come the memory of Sam Hammond-warrior, hero and patriot; and for this contribution which not only extols the patriotism of her valiant grandsire, but reflects the highest credit on her patriotic liberality, Augusta makes her most grateful acknowledgement, and pledges herself to guard with the highest loyalty and fidelity this sacred spot dedicated alike to the heroism of Samuel Hammond, the defender of Augusta, and to the loyal affection of the patriotic donor of this most striking testimonial to the heroism of the days of the revolution, when the land was young."
Mrs. Bellamy then spoke a few words of appreciation, explaining that it was the wish of her brother, the late Hugh Vernon Washington, of Macon, that this monument be erected in Augusta, whose history their illustrious ancestor helped to make, and that the monument was his gift, as well as hers. Besides the many friends present, the representatives of the Hammond family, were Mrs. Bellamy, of Macon, and Mrs. McKie, a grand- daughter of Colonel Hammond, who now lives in North Augusta, and her son, Mr. McKie.
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GEORGIA'S LANDMARKS, MEMORIALS AND LEGENDS
The Seizure of Perhaps the most dramatic event in the the Arsenal. history of Augusta was the seizure of . the United States Arsenal at Summer- ville, on the eve of the Civil War. It followed almost directly upon the adjournment of the famous Secession Convention, which carried the State of Georgia out of the Union. As told by Proferror Joseph T. Derry, the story of this bold exploit, which was undertaken success- fully by the volunteer troops of Augusta, is as follows :
"The arsenal, situated near Augusta, consisting of a group of buildings on the summits of salubrious sand hills, contained a battery of artillery, 20,000 stand of muskets, and a large quantity of munitions, guarded by a company of United States trooops, under command of Captain Arnold Elzey, of Maryland. The occupation of this arsenal was necessary. ' The sentiment favoring the seizure was increased by the arrival, on January 10th, of an ordnance detachment, which had been ejected from the arsenal at Charleston. On January 23, Governor Brown, accompanied by his aide-de-camp, Hon. Henry R. Jackson, who had experienced military life as a colonel of a Georgia regiment in Mexico, and Hon. William Phillips, visited Captain Elzey and made a verbal request that he withdraw his command from the State. Upon his refusal to do so, Colonel Alfred Cumming, of the Augusta battalion of militia, was ordered to put his force in readiness for action, to support the Governor's demand.
At the same time, some eight hundred volunteers of the city were put under arms, and others came in from the country. The Augusta volunteers en- gaged in the capture of the arsenal consisted of the following companies : Oglethorpe Infantry, Clinch Rifles, Irish Volunteers, Montgomery Guards, two companies of minute men, one of which became the Walker Light In- fantry, Washington Artillery, and Richmond Hussars. The ranks of these companies had been filled by young men eager to serve, and they averaged at this time one hundred men each. They were splendidly equipped and thoroughly drilled. In addition to these there were about two hundred mounted men from Burke County and a company of infantry from Edge- field district, S. C. Brigadier-General Harris was in chief command, aided by Brigadier-General Charles J. Williams, of Columbus, and Lieutenant- Colonel Alfred Cumming was in immediate command of the armed force, consisting of the Augusta Battalion, companies A and B of the minute men, and the militia. No hostile demonstration was to be made until the 24th, and it was then happily obviated by the action of Captain Elzey. In the conference which fixed the terms of the withdrawal, the Governor, was accompanied by Generals Harris and Williams, Colonel W. H. T. Walker and his aides, Colonels Jackson and Phillips, all of whom joined the Governor in assurances of esteem for Captain Elzey, together with a desire that the unhappy difficulties which had arisen might be adjusted
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