Confederate sons camp rededicates statue on county courthouse lawn
Statue honors 2,000 Confederate soldiers from Cherokee County
BY KEN MCCLURE

SCV troop members from left are Jimmy Odom, Ronnie Blackstock, Don Folkes, Scott Bell, Forrest Bradberry, Roy Gay, Ken McClure, Steve Magnum, Shelley Cleaver, Jim Perry and Philip Watkins. Kneeling in front are Trey Martin and Reb Bradberry, holding the sign.

On Oct. 28 the Sons of Confederate Veterans Cross of Saint Andrew Camp #2009 of Cherokee County hosted a rededication ceremony commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Confederate statue.

The statue was originally unveiled on the courthouse square in Rusk on Oct. 31,1907 in honor of more than 2,000 men from Cherokee County who served in the Southern army during the Civil War.

The event began with an opening prayer by Chaplain Roy Gay and Commander Kenneth McClure welcoming guests reading the Charge to the SCV.

Lt. Commander Jim Perry read a tribute to southern heroes and Color Sgt. Ronnie Blackstock saluted the flag.

Camp Historian Shelley Cleaver presented the statue's history and his ancestors who were at the original ceremony in 1907. He offered a tribute to troops served by United Daughters of the Confederacy members Mary Taylor and Hazel Dubose.

The Southern Belles are from left: Katie Folkes, Alex Andria Perry, Tiffany Watkins, Leesha Spencer, Shelia Blackstock, Alysa Dawson, Heather Watkins and Kathy Watkins.

Commander McClure read a roll call of more than 400 persons and businesses that donated $1,859.96 to purchase the statue 100 years ago followed by a roll call of all 26 units formed in Cherokee County.

A rifle volley was fired to honor those who donated funds for the statue and to all that served during the war.

The Saint Andrew Southern Belles, led by Kathy Watkins, laid flowers at the base of the statue.

The camp Commander presented certificates of appreciation to Southern Belle President Kathy Watkins and to U.D.C. president Hazel Dubose for support and dedication and also to Scott Bell and Ken Wallace, who were instrumental in raising funds to repair the statue in 2001.

The S.C.V. troops, Southern Belles and ladies from the U.D.C. were introduced to the crowd and the Wright family sang and played Dixie to conclude the ceremony.

More than 100 people attended. An enlarged photo of the original ceremony from Oct. 31,1907, was on display along with the original U.D.C. flag used at that ceremony.