The Confederate Monument

Lancaster, SC

The corner stone was laid Monday, Feb. 15, 1909 by the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free Masons. The Grand Master being unable to attend, a special dispensation was granted to the Worshipful Master, W.T. Williams of Jackson Lodge No. 53 to act in his stead. Members of the following lodges participated with Jackson Lodge in the ceremony: Abney; White Bluff; Flat Creek; Antioch; Barron of Heath Springs; Buchanan Lodge of Georgia and Mt. Moriah of Virginia.

About twelve hundred men, women and children, including a number of Veterans, were present. Prayer was made by Rev. Chalmers Frasier, after which the children rendered that old soul stirring song, “The Bonnie Blue Flag”. A beautiful Masonic ode was then rendered by a select choir of ladies.

The following papers and other articles were deposited in the corner-stone: Copy of Ordinance of Secession; Coy of rolls of Companies of Lancaster County; Muster of Capt. Amos McManus’ Company donated by him; Miniature Confederate flags; Copies of War songs; Relics of the War; A Palmetto button from the uniform worn by Capt. N.B. Van Landingham; Palmetto button from uniform worn by Maj. J.M. Riddle; samples of calico worn during the War, contributed by Mrs. J.N. Crockett; a piece of homespun made during the war by Mrs. N.B Van Landingham contributed by her daughter, Mrs. M.E. Cauthen; Confederate currency (100.00) contributed by Sheriff J.P. Hunter; Jefferson Davis monument badges donated by J.W. Denton; letters from Lt. Jack Stewart, written while in camp to his mother, directing her to divide lard and meat among the needy – contributed by Mrs. M.R. McCardell; an old war paper and letters contributed by Mrs. T.S. Carter; Picture of Jefferson Davis and his cabinet, contributed by Mrs. J.M. Riddle; Picture of Gen. Robert E. Lee; a copy of the Confederate Veteran; a copy, each, of the Lancaster News and the Kershaw Era and a copy of the old Lancaster Ledger; a roll of Mexican veterans, officers and privates; History of Lancaster Chapter, U.D.C. by its Historian, Mrs. J.M. Riddle; Roll of members of Lancaster Chapter, U.D.C.; paper commemorating the fidelity of the slaves who were loyal to their trust during the trying period, 1861 – 1865; Cross of Honor awarded by the Lancaster Chapter to a Confederate veteran; Bible contributed by the American Bible Society, with the names of the Chaplains of the Lancaster Companies which enlisted in the service, written therein; a view of the Court House, Jail, and Graded School buildings, also of Main, looking South – Contributed by Mrs. T.S. Carter; Greetings from Mrs. A.R. Banks of Columbia, former Vice President of the Chapter; Names of the contractors who are erecting the monument- J.S. Young and J.E. Sassie.

The above information copied from a report of Mrs. J.M. Riddle, Lancaster Chapter Historian, made Oct. 29, 1909 to the South Carolina Division, U.D.C.

Copied by Mrs. J.S. Land, Columbia, SC August 10, 1057

The Lancaster News – June 5, 1909

Confederate Monument Unveiled June, 4, 1909

Cost $3,000. Granite from quarry of Southern Granite Co., Stoneboro, Lancaster County, Consist of three bases, the bottom one being 10 feet square, pedestal, die, cap, flagstone, second cap. It is surmounted by the statue of a Confederate soldier, with gun in hand standing at parade rest. The statue is seven feet high and faces east. The entire height of Monument is a fraction over 30 feet. The sculptural work was done by most skilled and experienced Italian Sculptor, Mr. Comi, assisted by two others. (Mr. Sassi is now living in Rock Hill and he says this was the first Confederate Monument carved in the South. The others were carved in the north and transported to sites.) The cost of the Monument was $3,000 and the money was raised by the women of Lancaster County, under the Auspices of the Lancaster Chapter U.D.C.’s.

The monument was unveiled by Miss Eloise Foster, Miss Essie Jones, and Miss Jessie Milling. The Speakers were Col James Armstrong of Charleston, and Chief Justice, Ira B. Jones. Copies of the speeches delivered were published in the Lancaster News of above date