Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 38.djvu/141

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The name of Jefferson Davis has been restored to "Cabin John Bridge," Washington, D. C. The last letter was cut May 14th, and the work is now complete.

Back of this restoration is a story of rare interest to the whole South. Coming just at this time it will be of special interest because on June 3d, next Thursday, the anniversary of the birth of Jefferson Davis will be observed with the usual Memorial Day services and paying honor to the memory of sacred dead.

Jefferson Davis was Secretary of War in 1853, during the administration of Franklin Pierce. This celebrated bridge, a great engineering problem, was constructed during the administration of Secretary of War Davis. His name was placed upon the tablet. In 1862, after the War of the States had broken out, the name of Jefferson Davis was ordered stricken off. It was erased with a chisel and the blank space has remained there until now restored.

To the Confederated Southern Memorial Association belongs the credit of having originated the project to secure a restoration of the name, and having kept after it with unfailing energy until it was done. Mrs. W. J. Behan, 1207 Jackson Avenue, this city, is President of the Association. She is now serving her third term as President and in her tenth year. It was at the convention in Richmond, Va., in June, 1907, that the movement to have this respect and honor shown the memory of the former great Confederate chieftain originated.

Along with the patriotic direction of the movement by the Ladies' Confederated Association must be mentioned the story of heroism and patriotism of Captain James B. Home, of Moss Point, Miss., who has performed the mechanical work of