The E. M. Viquesney "Spirit of the American Doughboy" Database
Photo: Doug Blevins, Monticello, KY.
MONTICELLO, KENTUCKY
N 36° 49.76 / W 84° 50.9472
Copyright version 1920, pressed copper.
Smithsonian Art Inventory Control Number: 47260046.
Copyright version 1920, pressed copper.
Smithsonian Art Inventory Control Number: 47260046.
Located in Monument Park (or Square), a primary Monticello location at the intersection of Main St. and West Columbia Ave.
A metal plaque inscription across the top of the marble base reads:
THE SPIRIT OF THE AMERICAN DOUGHBOY
The primary metal plaque inscription on the front of the base reads:
HONOR ROLL
TO THE MEN OF WAYNE COUNTY WHO SERVED THEIR COUNTRY
DURING THE WORLD WAR THIS MEMORIAL IS HONORABLY DEDICATED
1917 – 1919
(followed by names of 10 killed in action, 13 died in service and 45 wounded in action)
A boxed area across the bottom of the plaque contains an inscription that reads:
“FOR WHEN THE TRUMPETS SOUND FOR ARMAGEDDON, ONLY THOSE
DESERVE UNDYING PRAISE WHO STAND WHERE THE DANGER IS SOREST:”
---Theodore Roosevelt, 1918---
THE SPIRIT OF THE AMERICAN DOUGHBOY
The primary metal plaque inscription on the front of the base reads:
HONOR ROLL
TO THE MEN OF WAYNE COUNTY WHO SERVED THEIR COUNTRY
DURING THE WORLD WAR THIS MEMORIAL IS HONORABLY DEDICATED
1917 – 1919
(followed by names of 10 killed in action, 13 died in service and 45 wounded in action)
A boxed area across the bottom of the plaque contains an inscription that reads:
“FOR WHEN THE TRUMPETS SOUND FOR ARMAGEDDON, ONLY THOSE
DESERVE UNDYING PRAISE WHO STAND WHERE THE DANGER IS SOREST:”
---Theodore Roosevelt, 1918---
The Doughboy arrived in Monticello January 19, 1923 and was dedicated April 8, 1923. It was unveiled by Captain John Tuttle, a prominent local 86-year old Civil War veteran. Its acquisition was sponsored by American Legion Post No. 134, with funds raised from Legion members and citizens. The sculpture cost $1,500, including freight. The total cost, including the marble base and monument area, required over $2,000 in cash and the donation of many hours of work on the monument by Legion members.
The Doughboy is a very important landmark and feature in Monticello, the home of Harlan Ogle (see Doughboy poem, below) and the late Doug Blevins, two dedicated Doughboy aficionados. The scuplture appears to be in good condition and well-maintained, except for a missing rifle sling. A comment at the online Wayne County Outlook dated February 22, 2010 indicates the bayonet is now gone as well.
 Above: On the April 12, 1923 dedication day, some of the distinguished guests were met on the outskirts of Monticello by a mounted platoon of Troop B, 54th Squadron. The speakers were escorted to the dedication in an old stage coach drawn by Troop B horses driven by veteran stage man C. H. Burton, and the llth District Band rode on top of the coach. This Wayne County Outlook picture is included in Harlan Ogle’s book (see below).
 Above: Four of those named on the Monticello Doughboy plaque. Ezra Blevins at the upper left was the father of Doughboy aficionado Doug Blevins, mentioned above. The photos were reproduced from Harlan Ogle’s book.
|  Above: Monticello’s Doughboy monument area before it was materially reduced in size. Photo from Harlan Ogle’s book.
 Photo: (c) 2003 Doug Blevins, Monticello, KY. Used by permission. Above: The cover of Harlan Ogle’s book on the history of the Monticello Doughboy.
|
A DOUGHBOY POEM
Harlan Ogle
While doing research on the Doughboy statue in his town of Monticello Kentucky, site visitor and contributor Harlan Ogle came across the poem below in a 1923 article in the local newspaper, the Wayne County Outlook. It mentions a small statue of the Doughboy, probably Viquesney's miniature, since it was the most popular seller of the time. The phrase in the poem, "Oh Spirit of the Doughboy..." is also a clue, since the title of Viquesney's statue is "Spirit of the American Doughboy". Although the author of the poem was listed as unknown, the wording "has the Viquesney touch", as researcher T. Perry Wesley would have put it.
HE LIVES
I have a few art treasures
In this little house of mine,
But something’s lately come to it
That seems almost divine.
It’s the statue of a Doughboy,
And as at it I look
I’m far, oh very far away
From mine own inglenook.
I’m visioning the trenches and
Flanders Field afar---
I see through hot and burning tears
A wee, gold star---
And it doesn’t seem to matter
About the lesser things
When I think of what they did for us---
Those heroes who were kings.
Oh Spirit of the Doughboy,
You hope and solace bring!
Taking away the anguish
That was made by Death’s deep sting.
And though in Flanders Field there sleeps
The only son I had,
In spite of bitterness and pain
I cannot be but glad.
Glad for his life---his patriot soul
That saw where duty lay;
That held the torch of courage high,
Though steep and rough the way.
These are the things the statue speaks;
Shall I not lift my head
And greet his Spirit shining through?---
He lives---HE IS NOT DEAD!
---Author unknown
(But suspected to be E. M. Viquesney.)
I have a few art treasures
In this little house of mine,
But something’s lately come to it
That seems almost divine.
It’s the statue of a Doughboy,
And as at it I look
I’m far, oh very far away
From mine own inglenook.
I’m visioning the trenches and
Flanders Field afar---
I see through hot and burning tears
A wee, gold star---
And it doesn’t seem to matter
About the lesser things
When I think of what they did for us---
Those heroes who were kings.
Oh Spirit of the Doughboy,
You hope and solace bring!
Taking away the anguish
That was made by Death’s deep sting.
And though in Flanders Field there sleeps
The only son I had,
In spite of bitterness and pain
I cannot be but glad.
Glad for his life---his patriot soul
That saw where duty lay;
That held the torch of courage high,
Though steep and rough the way.
These are the things the statue speaks;
Shall I not lift my head
And greet his Spirit shining through?---
He lives---HE IS NOT DEAD!
---Author unknown
(But suspected to be E. M. Viquesney.)
The article also mentioned the existence of the rare candlestick Doughboy miniature (shown above) which was one of the raffle prizes in the original fundraiser for the Doughboy at Monicello, Kentucky. Two other prizes were a Doughboy statuette and a Doughboy lamp.
Links:
http://www.junebaldwinbork.com/Dough/doughboy1.htm
http://www.ket.org/cgi-bin/cheetah/watch_video.pl?nola=kkyli+001512
http://www.city-data.com/picfilesc/picc39069.php
http://www.junebaldwinbork.com/Dough/doughboy1.htm
http://www.ket.org/cgi-bin/cheetah/watch_video.pl?nola=kkyli+001512
http://www.city-data.com/picfilesc/picc39069.php
