|
March 25, 1917
McConnell's brother-in-law, Mitchell D. Follansbee, writes to President Alderman,
proposing to have some type of memorial to McConnell on the Grounds of the University.
He also requests to the President to write to McConnell's parents to express condolences.
|
March 25, 1917
President Alderman responds sympathetically to Follansbee and agrees that some type of
memorial should commemorate McConnell. Alderman mentions for the first time Gutzon Borglum,
the sculptor of Mt. Rushmore, as an artist who might be able to create, " . . . something
for us that would carry a spiritual and patriotic appeal to generations of youth . . . ."
Page 2
|
|
March 26, 1917
Telegram from T.S. Fuller to President Alderman, who would like to bury James
McConnell in Charlottesville as an example of courage and ideals.
|
President Alderman assures T.S. Fuller that he will mention the idea of proper
burial before the General Assembly.
|
March 28, 1917
President Alderman writes to the Hon. S.P. McConnell, James' father
expressing his pride and sadness about James' heroic death. He mentions
the idea of a memorial to James on the University Grounds.
Page 2
|
|
March 28, 1917
President Alderman writes letter to Sarah Rogers McConnell to express
his condolences. He informs her that the faculty and students are eager
to erect some type of memorial in McConnell's memory.
|
April 2,1917
Letter from Sarah McConnell to President Alderman in which she thanks
Alderman for writing to her. She does request that her maiden name "Rogers"
appears on whatever memorial might be dedicated to her son.
Page 2 - Page 3
|
|
April 5, 1917
Moore County News of Carthage, N.C. (James McConnell's hometown), announces the
memorial service to honor the sergeant.
Front Page - Page 2
- Page 3 - Page 3 Spread
- Page 4
|
|
October 15, 1917
Mrs. McConnell writes President Alderman that she does not approve of Carthage,
North Carolina as the recipient of the plaque given by the French Government.
She wishes the plaque to go to the University or that the French government
provide two identical plaques-one for Carthage and one for the University.
Page 2 - Page 3
- Page 4
|
|
October 18, 1917
President Alderman replies to Mrs. McConnell in a most cordial manner.
He explains that by not putting the plaque in North Carolina would prove a
most "indelicate" situation, since he is North Carolinian by birth.
Alderman assuages the situation by informing Mrs. McConnell that money has
been secured to commission an artist to begin the memorial. He explains
Borglum's work to her briefly.
Page 2
|
|
March 25, 1918
Alderman writes that his trip to New York will not take place due to
the grippe. He requests some sort of representation of the sculpture.
Alderman also includes some "artistic" suggestions to the artist.
| | | | |
