Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 17.djvu/203

 The Monument to General Robert E. Lee. 195

collection of a considerable sum, the largest contribution ($3,000) coming from Savannah.

At the foot of the copy of the circular in the possession of General Early, the following is appended in the handwriting of Miss Ran- dolph :

" The fourth Sunday (27th) has been appointed as the day on which the collection for the monument will be taken up. Please ad- vertise as far as you can. Remit contributions to Miss S. N. Ran- dolph, secretary of Ladies* Lee Monument Committee, Box 838, Richmond, Va."

WORK OF BOTH ORGANIZATIONS.

Both associations soon adopted the most practical and efficient way of raising funds, which was to send, on the part of each, an efficient and accredited agent to travel through the South and canvass the different States. In this way most of the funds have been collected for each of the two associations, though since the enterprise has de- veloped into a practical and attainable object, several private gentle- men have given handsomely towards making up the deficiency in the fund necessary to cover its cost.

A COMPETITIVE EXHIBITION.

During Governor Kemper's term a competitive exhibition was held by the Soldiers' and Sailors' Association in one of the legisla- tive halls in the Capitol, in Richmond, the governor being much in- terested in the success of the exhibition and anxious that some one of the models should be found worthy of acceptance. To this exhi- bition the Ladies' Association were invited as associate judges, and with the hope that they would unite their funds with those of the soldiers and sailors to make up the sum necessary for the statue. The artists competing in this effi^rt were : Mr. Edward V. Valentine, of Richmond ; Miss Vinnie Ream, of Washington ; Mr. Ezekiel, an artist whom Virginia is glad to claim, although he calls himself a citizen of Rome.

None of the models offered by these artists were accepted.

No further steps were taken to secure a model or an artist for the statue during the terms of Governors Holliday and Cameron, although collections continued to be made. In the meantime, by deaths and removals from the State, the active members of the Ladies' Associa- tion were reduced to two. Miss Nicholas and Miss Randolph, although their surviving colleagues were occasionally consulted.