(Published in The Franklin Press, June 16 1955)

The monument on the Public Square, dedicated to the soldiers of Macon County who served in the Confederate army, resulted from a suggestion by Major N D Rankin.

At his call, a number of Confederate veterans met November 26, 1903, and formed the Macon County Monument Association. Major Rankin read a plan of organization, and submitted a form of constitution; which was adopted. Nine officers were elected for the association - president, seven vice-presidents, and secretary and treasury. Of the seven vice-presidents, one was chosen from each of the seven companies that served in the war.

In 1907, by an act of the General Assembly, the association was incorporated. In 1909 the General Assembly authorized the Board of County Commissioners to donate a plot of land in the Public Square 68 by 83 feet, to the association on which to erect the monument.

The monument consists of 26 stones, is 25 feet high above the concrete foundation, and is built of fine marble.

The six-foot statue depicting a Confederate soldier was made in Italy of Italian marble. The statue cost $600.

The entire weight of the monument is about 35,000 pounds; it was erected by the McNeel Marble Company of Marietta, Ga., at a cost of $1,650.

The event of the unveiling the monument in 1909 was attended by two governors - W W Kitchen, governor of North Carolina and M F Ansel, governor of South Carolina. Governor Kitchen made the main address.

(transcribed February 11, 2007)