The E. M. Viquesney "Spirit of the American Doughboy" Database
Photo: The Doughboy Center Website
http://www.worldwar1.com/dbc/monument.htm
Contributed by Peter Koch, Mountain Heritage Center
Western Carolina University.
http://www.worldwar1.com/dbc/monument.htm
Contributed by Peter Koch, Mountain Heritage Center
Western Carolina University.
TROY, NORTH CAROLINA
N 35° 21.514 / W 79° 53.558
Copyright year unknown, stone or "marble", unsigned.
Smithsonian Art Inventory Control Number: NC000264.
Copyright year unknown, stone or "marble", unsigned.
Smithsonian Art Inventory Control Number: NC000264.
In front of Montgomery County Courthouse, at intersection of South Pearl and West Main Streets.
The inscription on the front of the pedestal reads:
IN MEMORY OF
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
SONS WHO SERVED
IN THE WORLD WAR
The inscription on the proper right side of the pedestal reads:
IN MEMORY OF
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
SONS WHO SERVED
IN THE SPANISH AMERICAN WAR
The inscription on the proper left side of the pedestal reads:
IN MEMORY OF
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
WOMEN
WHO DID THEIR PART
IN ALL WARS
IN MEMORY OF
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
SONS WHO SERVED
IN THE WORLD WAR
The inscription on the proper right side of the pedestal reads:
IN MEMORY OF
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
SONS WHO SERVED
IN THE SPANISH AMERICAN WAR
The inscription on the proper left side of the pedestal reads:
IN MEMORY OF
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
WOMEN
WHO DID THEIR PART
IN ALL WARS
This statue differs from the others at Eufaula and Headland, Alabama, and Clarksville, Tennessee, in that it is not mounted on a rounded granite boulder, but rather on a tiered rectangular base. The grenade-throwing arm is also more extended out to the side, whereas the others have a more vertical pose. This difference may be attributed to the fact that these stone statues were carved individually, rather than cast from molds, and thus can vary in some details. The date of installation and dedication are unknown, but estimated to be ca. 1926.
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.
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.
Links:
flickr.com
flickr.com
