LEE-JACKSON STATUE MODEL IS SELECTED

New York Woman, Mrs. Laura Gardin Fraser, Is Winner

J. H. FERGUSON LEFT FUND FOR MEMORIAL

Judges Say Il “Till Be The Finest Piece Of Art In Baltimore’s Streets”

A model submitted by Mrs. Laura Gardin Fraser, New York sculptor, yesterday won a limited competition for the $100,000 heroic equestrian bronze statue to be crected in Wyman Park.

Funds for the memorial to Gen. Robert E. Lee and Gen. Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson were provided in the will of the late J. Henry Ferguson, who described the Confederate leaders as “my boyish heroes.”

The selected model shows them parting on the eve of Chancellors-

ville.

Decision Unanimous

The judges reached their decision after a three-hour study of six models submitted and set up in a gallery of the Baltimore Museum of Art. They were unanimous in their opinion that the monument “will be the finest piece of art in Baltimore’s streets and one of the works of genius in the country.”

The judges, who were recommended to the memorial committee by R. J. McKinney, director of the Baltimore Museum of Art, were:

ROBERT HARSHE, director of the Chicago Art Institute.

JOHN GREGORY, New York, president of the National Sculpture Society.

PAUL CRET, New York architect who designed the Folger Memorial Library in Washington.

DR. TAIT MCKENZIE, Philadelphia sculptor.

ARTHUR W. MACHEN, local attorney, a member of the memorial committee.

Is Noted Sculptor’s Wife

Participating in the competition, besides Mrs. Fraser, the wife of James Earle Fraser, a sculptor of international reputation, were:

HANS SCHULER, director of the Maryland Institute, this city.

PAUL MANSHIP, New York.

EDWARD MCCARTAN, New York.

LEE LAURIE, New York.

F. WILLIAM SIEVERS, Richmond.

The judges arrived at the museum at 10 A.M., and went into conference a short time later. Doors to the room where the models were set up were. locked. The models were designated by numbers only. Not until the judges had selected the winner did they learn the identity of the creator of the piece.

Decision Announced At 4 P.M.

They left the museum about 1 P.M.

to be the luncheon guests of Charles b Morris Howard, chairman of the memorial committee. Returning to the museum, they again went into seclusion, announcing their decision about 4 P. М.

The memorial committee then was called into the room. The members of the committee, besides the chairman and Mr. Machen, are Charles McHenry Howard, A. Sterett McKin, Dr. Hugh H. Young, R. E. Lee Marshall and James McC. Trippe.

“The excellence of the six models submitted is astonishingly high,” Mr.

Gregory told the committee. “The jury deliberated for three hours and greatest consideration was given before their choice for the award was made to No. 2. The award was made in accordance with the rules and regulations of the National Sculpture Society.”

To Be Thirteen Feet High

The figures will be thirteen feet from the plinth to the top of the heads of the riders. The group shows General Jackson about to pull away his mount as his right hand is descending from a salute. His head is thrust forward slightly as if calling some last remark to his commander-in-chief.

General Lee is depicted astride his favorite charger, his expression serious and his head at an angle that indicates he is attentive to the remark that Jackson is making.

Donor Dictated Inscription

In his will Mr. Ferguson asserted that “on the base of the statues on the front i wish to read:

“‘The parting of General Lee and Stonewall Jackson on the eve of Chancellorsville’.

“On one of the sides I want it to read:

“”They were great generals and Christian soldiers and waged war like gentiemen.’

“These are my own words and I only ask the simple word under them, Ferguson’. I may be pardoned for wanting it placed there. A member of General Lee’s staff told me they were a high and original tribute to the memory of the two generals.”

Example To Youth

Further in his will Mr. Ferguson said, “I feel that their example should be held up to the youth of Maryland.” The base of the monument and the plaza that will surround it were designed by John Russell Pope, who also designed the Baltimore Museum of Art.

With the assistance of Mr. McKinney, the memorial commission selected a site for the monument at the intersection of the south side of the museum drive and the east side of Wy-man Park Driveway. This will be at the head of the north-south thoroughfare which will result. from the cutting through of North Howard street.