Confederate Monument on Courthouse Square   Ellis County Courthouse at the dedication of the Confederate Monument, 1911-1912. Mrs. S. H. Watson Host Daughters of Confederacy 1912 United Daughters of Confederacy (UDC) began the year with a meeting at the home of Mrs. S. H. Watson, 511 Monroe St., Waxahachie.  Mrs. Watson compiled a book of old songs for the Texas Division of UDC.  She is now the Life time Historian of the UDC. The fund collection for the monument to honor the memory of the dead and living Confederates from Ellis county who served in the army of the South began 2 to 3 years ago by the Sims-Watson Chapter UDC weekly markets continued until April.   Members are writing letters to friends asking for contributions. The UDC made a quilt with names of individuals on each square to make $125.00. UDC plans for the Confederate monument will include: the space around the pedestal will be enclosed with a curbing and planted in red and white verbena.  A fountain whose waters will flow from a miniature cannon inscribed to “The Heroes of Sabine Pass.”  Water flowing from the fountain will be conveyed to a stone basin for the use of horses to drink.  The inscription on the basin will be, “Let every thirsty horse drink to the memory of “Traveler” Aug. 9 – Ellis County Commissioners granted permission to UDC to erect the monument on the courthouse lawn.  The space is 23’ square in the center of the west side lawn. August 17 – The contract for the monument was awarded to Waxahachie Marble Works-Williams and Youngblood owners.   The base of the monument is 6’x 6’; the height of the statue, pedestal, and the two dies is 21’; the date on the front side “1861-1865” is carved in raised letters.  The statue represents a young Private posted in a heroic attitude.  Finely hammered and artistically carved.  Inscription reads “In honor of the dead and living of Ellis County who wore the gray.  Banners may be furled, but heroism lives forever.”  Erected by Sims-Watson UDC. Oct. 16 - Mr. Strickland made a donation to the Daughters of the Confederacy equal to 5% of ticket sales on the Interurban by those going to the Fair on Confederate Day on Oct 16.  Leaving at 7:00 a.m. the special passenger cars took Confederate Veterans to the Fair Grounds.  Nov. 2, 1912                               Ceremony for the Confederate Monument W. L. P. Leigh        Master of Ceremonies Juvenile Band furnished music Invocation Rev J. Edward Johnson Music Bonnie Blue Flag by children Address Jno D. McRea Unveiling Mrs. S. H. Watson Dixie played and sung during the unveiling Tribute from little Confederates with speaker Homer Hendrick Response Behalf of Veterans G.F. Marchbanks Acceptance of monument Mayor Prince Doxology Benediction Rev. J. A. Whitehurt Details for Confederate Monument on Courthouse Lawn State Antiquities Landmark — Atlas Number 8200005921 Data Site Name Confederate Monument on Courthouse Lawn Trinomial SAL Group Designation Date 4/27/2017 Private Owner 2 Architectural Yes Archeological No Listed on the National Register of Historic Places No County Ellis Location Nearest City Owner Name Ellis County Comments Date Modified State Antiquities Landmark (SAL) designation stipulates that a property cannot be removed, altered, damaged, salvaged, or excavated without a permit from the Texas Historical Commission (THC). Before commencing work on an SAL, the property owner must notify the THC of the proposed project. For complex projects, please consult THC staff early in the planning or design process in order to avoid delays. If a permit is required, THC staff will respond within 30 days of notification by providing a permit application form and indicating any required attachments and application reports. The Antiquities Permit Application Forms for Archeology, Underwater Archeology, and Historic Building and Structure Permits may also be downloaded from the Forms page. On Thursday, June 11th, during a ‘peaceful’ march around the Ellis County Courthouse, one of the speakers, the Court Coordinator for County Judge Todd Little, recommended the 1912 Confederate Statue be removed.   Copyright © 2020, Ellis County TXGenWeb. All Rights Reserved. This page was last modified: Thursday, 01-Jul-2021 13:18:20 MDT