Text: Anonymous, “Richmond Association to Meet in February,” Richmond Times Despatch (Richmond, VA), January 17, 1909 (special Sunday section), p. 4

[page 4, column 3, continued:]

Although it will hold no exercises in this city to commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of America's greatest literary genius, the Poe Memorial Association of Richmond will meet early in February to decide upon the character and location of the monument to Edgar Allan Poe which is to be erected in Richmond.

At this meeting plans will be formulated for the waging of an active campaign to raise the necessary funds, and it is believe that within a few months sufficient money will have been subscribed to enable the association to go ahead with the work of erecting the monument. Every possible effort will be made to have the monument completed and ready for unveiling within a year.

Owing to the financial depression of the past year, the Poe Memorial Association, which was formed about twelve months ago, has not yet taken any active steps toward raising funds. However, some contributions have already been received by the treasurer, Mr. James E. Cannon, and the officers and members anticipate no difficulty in securing the necessary amount within a few months. The great genius, who spend much of his life in Richmond, has a large number of ardent admirers throughout the Old Dominion, and no doubt man of these will willingly make substantial contributions to the fund for the erection in Richmond of a monument to perpetuate his memory.

The officers of the Poe Association are: [column 4:]

President, Capt. Joseph E. Willard.

Secretary, Charles Marshall Graves.

Treasurer, James E. Cannon.

The members of the board are: Col. Gordon McCabe, Dr. S. C. Mitchell of South Carolina, Rev. Edward N. Calish, rabbi of Beth Ababa Synagogue, and Allen Potty.

In all probability steps will be taken at the meeting next month to enlarge the membership of the board. Dr. Mitchell has left the State, and another member will be named to succeed him. Other members also will be admitted, and the association then will be in a position to do better work and to wage an active campaign for the collection of the funds for the monument.

The present members of the organization are very enthusiastic, and there can be absolutely no doubt about the success of the movement that they have set on foot. Everything possible will be done to arouse the public interest, and it is firmly believed that the people of Richmond will respond loyally to the call to honor the memory of the city's great son.

The city of Richmond already has appropriated $5,000 toward the monument fund. A suitable site for erection of the monument will be made by the association, and the best sculptor of the country will be engaged for the work. There can be no doubt that the monument will be one of which the city can justly feel proud, and that will be worthy of the memory of Edgar Allan Poe.