The statue at the Confederate Cemetery was totally restored after a devasting ice storm nearly destroyed it. This is the story....
In January of 2001, an ice storm caused very large tree limbs to fall onto the Confederate statue which stands atop the granite monument in the center of the Confederate Cemetery. This monument had been erected in 1897 by the SMA at a cost of $3,000.00, a very large sum at that time. After careful consideration, the Southern Memorial Association decided to have the statue, as well as the minor damages to the granite monument, professionally restored by Norton Arts of Marshall, Arkansas. The cost of this amounted to $9,600.00.
In March 2001, the SMA began accepting donations to the Monument Restoration Fund, and in July, the entire amount had been raised! Donations came from all parts of the country, in amounts large and small.
On Saturday June 8, 2002, after some 16 months, the monument and statue were fully restored and were re-dedicated at the 129th Annual Southern Memorial Day . It was truly a great day! There were about 100 people in attendance for the re-dedication of the statue and monument on a beautiful sunny morning. Guests were present from Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Louisiana, and Arkansas. Tribute speeches and gun salutes from Confederate re-enactors were delivered to honor Confederate soldiers from each of the four states. Flowers and a wreath were placed at the monument according to the tradition begun by the founding ladies. Special bagpipe music was played as well as other songs and solos.
