The E. M. Viquesney "Spirit of the American Doughboy" Database
Photo: Barclay Gibson,
texasescapes.com
texasescapes.com
TEXARKANA, TEXAS
N 33° 24.720 / W 94° 3.265
Copyright date unknown, stone or "marble", unsigned.
Smithsonian Art Inventory Control Number: TX001047.
Copyright date unknown, stone or "marble", unsigned.
Smithsonian Art Inventory Control Number: TX001047.
In Rose Hill Cemetery, 100 South Lelia Street.
An inscription on the base of the Doughboy reads:
CORP'L. 395 INF. 90 DIV. CO. H.
GASSED ONE K.M. S.E. VIL. VINCEY
CORP'L. 395 INF. 90 DIV. CO. H.
GASSED ONE K.M. S.E. VIL. VINCEY
The back of the Doughboy's pedestal bears the same (but more spelled-out) information, plus
DIED OCT. 6TH, 1918
BORN JUNE 22, 1894
DENISON, TEXAS
BORN JUNE 22, 1894
DENISON, TEXAS
The Otis Henry Memorial
Photo: Barclay Gibson,
texasescapes.com
texasescapes.com
This impressive memorial was paid for by Susan Tate Wilder, mother of Corporal Otis Henry, who was gassed near the village of Vincey, Lorraine, France, October 6, 1918. Mrs. Wilder was not a woman of means, and it wasn't until 1931 that this probably very expensive monument was installed. Such was a mother's grief and devotion to her son, who died only 35 days before the guns went silent on November 11. Corporal Henry was the first man from Bowie County to die in the war.
A statue of Corporal Henry stands in the center, flanked by two angels; the monument is topped by an unsigned, untitled stone Doughboy.
The monument was designed by Morris U. Allen and built by Allen Monuments. However, remarks in the Smithsonian record indicate that "the figures [presumably including the Doughboy] were ordered" from another company. The Doughboy strongly resembles others fabricated by McNeel Marble, of Marietta, Georgia.
The standing male figure in front of the base is a representation of Corporal Henry, and bears his name engraved on the front of its base.
A statue of Corporal Henry stands in the center, flanked by two angels; the monument is topped by an unsigned, untitled stone Doughboy.
The monument was designed by Morris U. Allen and built by Allen Monuments. However, remarks in the Smithsonian record indicate that "the figures [presumably including the Doughboy] were ordered" from another company. The Doughboy strongly resembles others fabricated by McNeel Marble, of Marietta, Georgia.
The standing male figure in front of the base is a representation of Corporal Henry, and bears his name engraved on the front of its base.
This is one of five known stone designs similar to Viquesney's Spirit of the American Doughboy but which lack the full battle gear. While there is some evidence to suggest that Viquesney might have been involved with the production of these stone statues, there is also evidence to suggest that McNeel Marble Company of Marietta, Georgia, the suspected manufacturer, was simply making knock-offs of Viquesney's design and selling them to customers through a bait-and-switch scam (see Clarksville, Tennessee).
The only troubling aspect of these speculations is that Eufaula, Alabama's Doughboy was installed in 1920, according to several websites; if true, then it was there before Viquesney had completed work on his first Spirit of the American Doughboy statue in 1921 (though he did copyright the design in 1920). This might suggest it was Viquesney, then, who "borrowed" a design that McNeel had first, rather than the other way 'round.
Unfortunately, none of the five statues has a copyright, makers's mark, or signature that could help positively identify (or disqualify) Viquesney as the sculptor.
The only troubling aspect of these speculations is that Eufaula, Alabama's Doughboy was installed in 1920, according to several websites; if true, then it was there before Viquesney had completed work on his first Spirit of the American Doughboy statue in 1921 (though he did copyright the design in 1920). This might suggest it was Viquesney, then, who "borrowed" a design that McNeel had first, rather than the other way 'round.
Unfortunately, none of the five statues has a copyright, makers's mark, or signature that could help positively identify (or disqualify) Viquesney as the sculptor.
Our thanks to John Troesser, Editor, texasescapes.com, for the following, and for forwarding the link to the Texarkana Doughboy, and to Barclay Gibson for the photographs.
Hello Mr. Kopel and Mr. Goldsmith:
While researching World War One monuments (of all sorts) in Texas I came upon your site.
Very impressive what you and Earl have created. Mr. Viquesney's bio, as tragic as it was, was fascinating.
I just wanted to thank you both for your fine work. It will become a valuable resource to students (as you predicted) and those of us in the tribe of the terminally curious.
Rather than include details of Mr. Viquesney, our page will simply mention the statues and link to your page. I'm sure your site will be of interest to our readers.
We do have photos of most of them - and have asked our contributors to take more detailed shots when they come across them in the future. I will notify you when our article is published (in the next few days) and if any of our photos are of use, we'd be flattered if you could use any of them.
While I have your attention, would you please be so kind to give your opinion on the statue that we just published. The pose is very much like Mr. Viquesney's doughboys. A knock-off? Unfortunately our contributor wasn't looking for a plaque or the sculptor's inscription.
Thanks for helping improve the quality of content on the Internet.
Best wishes,
John Troesser
editor (at) texasescapes (dot) com
While researching World War One monuments (of all sorts) in Texas I came upon your site.
Very impressive what you and Earl have created. Mr. Viquesney's bio, as tragic as it was, was fascinating.
I just wanted to thank you both for your fine work. It will become a valuable resource to students (as you predicted) and those of us in the tribe of the terminally curious.
Rather than include details of Mr. Viquesney, our page will simply mention the statues and link to your page. I'm sure your site will be of interest to our readers.
We do have photos of most of them - and have asked our contributors to take more detailed shots when they come across them in the future. I will notify you when our article is published (in the next few days) and if any of our photos are of use, we'd be flattered if you could use any of them.
While I have your attention, would you please be so kind to give your opinion on the statue that we just published. The pose is very much like Mr. Viquesney's doughboys. A knock-off? Unfortunately our contributor wasn't looking for a plaque or the sculptor's inscription.
Thanks for helping improve the quality of content on the Internet.
Best wishes,
John Troesser
editor (at) texasescapes (dot) com
Links:
texasescapes.com
waymarking.com
flickr.com/1216/3293516725
flickr.com/119156794
flickr.com/5230300847
texasescapes.com
waymarking.com
flickr.com/1216/3293516725
flickr.com/119156794
flickr.com/5230300847
