Bequests For Lee-Jackson Statues Present Problem

Legal And Art Experts Seeking Way To Carry Out Terms Of Wills Of J. Henry Ferguson And Mrs. Elizabeth B. White

Two wills leaving money for the erection of statues of Gens. Robert E. Lee and Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson are presenting a problem for legal! experts and art authorities of Baltimore.

In 1928 the will of J, Henry Ferguson provided $100,000 for a statue commemorating the parting of Lee and Jackson just before the Battle of Chancellorsville, where Jackson was mortally wounded.

Provided For Lee Statue

Eleven years earlier, it was recalled last night, Mrs. Elizabeth B, White provided that the proceeds from a sale of part of her estate should be used for an equestrian statue of Lee, The amount realized was $19,000. However. through investments, it was learned last night, it has now grown to about $40,000.

It has been suggested that the two sums be combined for the erection of one memorial. The difficulty lies in the fact that both Mr. Ferguson and Mrs. White made certain stipulations and the stipulations appear to conflict materially.

Specified Site

Mr. Ferguson, in addition to naming the subject to be used for the memorial, provided that the site for it should be chosen by a committee of prominent Baltimoreans whom he named in his will. and that the place selected must be within ten miles of the City Hall.

Mrs. White, in addition to specifying an equestrian statue of Lee, provided that it be located in Druid Hill Park.

The apparent difficulties were outlined by Robert Garrett, Mrs. White’s great-nephew and executor of her will, and Robert.W. Williams, president of the Municipal Art Society, to which Mr. Ferguson left the money.

“Probably the present sum alone would not be sufficient to carry out my aunt’s will,’ Mr. Garrett said. “I do not know whether it would be feasible to combine the two sums in one monument. Legal and other questions might be involved.”

Willing To Cooperate

“I do not know it under the terms of each will the sums could be combined,” Mr. Williams added. “The sum left through Mr. Ferguson’s will provides that both Lee and Jackson be on the monument, while Mrs. White’s seems to provide only for that of Lee. Mrs. White’s will names Druid Hill Park for the site, while Mr. Ferguson’s specifies only that the site be within ten miles from the City Hall. Whether Druid Hill Park would be suitable might be open to question. I am sure, however, that the Municipal Art Society will cooperate.”

In an effort to iron out the difficulties, it was understood a meeting of the authorities will be held this week.