The Confederate Soldiers Memorial

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On April 26, 1878 the Confederate Soldiers Memorial was dedicated in the West Selma Graveyard. (now live oak) The Ladies of the Confederate Memorial Association raised funds for the project over a period of 5 years. The Monument was erected in the center of the New addition and 156 graves of confederate veterans were moved to the site.

At a cost of $2,500 Patrick Murphy sculpted the monument for the firm of Montgomery and Sons. The model was Charles Davidson posing in his fathers confederate uniform. The monument is 40 ft tall and bears an inscription with these Latin Words: "Dolce et Decorum Est Pro Patri Mari" Translated: "It is sweet and commendable to die for one's country" To defray the cost of the monument panels were sold to families of Confederate veterans for their own inscriptions.

On the day of dedication the town's businesses closed and there was a parade through town by the Selma Guards, The Confederate Memorial Association, the school children, The Selma Medical Society and a large number of citizens.

The Spring house was built close to the Monument to accommodate the band for Concerts and programs held in the spring around Memorial day. Now it is known as the Pigeon House because of the pigeons that roost in the gables.

Bibliography:
Alabama Division Sons of Confederate Veterans
Selma; Her Institutions And Her Men, John Hardy 1879



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