Before the 2011 restoration. Photo: Vernon Times-Record.
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 ''After'' photo: Ginger Golden, Vernon, Texas. |
VERNON, TEXAS
Copyright version 1920, sheet bronze.
Smithsonian Art Inventory Control number: TX001005.
On Southwest corner of Wilbarger County Courthouse Square, Wilbarger and Main Streets.
The engraving on the Doughboy’s base reads:
WILBARGER COUNTY
REMEMBERS
THIS MEMORIAL IS LOVINGLY
DEDICATED DECEMBER 5, 1926
TO HER VALIANT SONS 1917-1918.
WE HOLD THEM IN OUR GRATEFUL
HEARTS WITH REVERENCE AND
HONOR FOREVER.
(followed by 16 names)
WILBARGER COUNTY
REMEMBERS
THIS MEMORIAL IS LOVINGLY
DEDICATED DECEMBER 5, 1926
TO HER VALIANT SONS 1917-1918.
WE HOLD THEM IN OUR GRATEFUL
HEARTS WITH REVERENCE AND
HONOR FOREVER.
(followed by 16 names)
The Doughboy was originally placed on the courthouse lawn on Dec. 5, 1926, and unveiled on Dec. 14. A crowd of over 3,000 people attended the ceremonies. The sculpture and another statue, the “Temperance Lady,” were moved to Allingham Park in 1927 during construction of a new courthouse.The Doughboy was moved back to its current location at Courthouse Square in 1994. It stands to the left of a small cannon and a Confederate memorial.
The story goes that as the move back to the new courthouse began, workers found bird nests in the arms of the statue, and when the stabilizer rod holding the sculpture was cut with a blowtorch, the nests caught fire and smoke came out of every hole in the statue, some of which were apparently bullet holes from vandals using the statue as target practice. There was also a time capsule inside the statue containing documents, but due to water damage they were unreadable.
The story goes that as the move back to the new courthouse began, workers found bird nests in the arms of the statue, and when the stabilizer rod holding the sculpture was cut with a blowtorch, the nests caught fire and smoke came out of every hole in the statue, some of which were apparently bullet holes from vandals using the statue as target practice. There was also a time capsule inside the statue containing documents, but due to water damage they were unreadable.
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In May, 2010, Vernon resident Larry Souza formed a restoration committee for the statue; Jack Stevens of Iowa Park did the repairs, which included the replacement of the left hand, rifle and bayonet, which were formerly missing since sometime after 1942. Charlie Jones added lettering to the monument. The Main Street side features The American's Creed by William Tyler Page, adopted in 1918. The Pledge of Allegiance is on the side facing Wilbarger Street, and the back panel honors Gold Star mothers with bronze stars attached to the base. The base of the statue has information on the sculptor, the official name, and information on the original dedication.
After all restoration work was completed, a rededication was held at 11:00 a.m. on November 11, 2011. Among those in attendance were Viquesney Doughboy researcher Earl Goldsmith and webmaster of this site Les Kopel. The program included raising of the colors, a welcoming speech by Mr. Souza, an invocation by Rev. Scott Arant, the presentation and posting of the colors, the Pledge of Allegiance led by Jeremy Henson, recognition of veterans by Iva Belew, a declaration by Willbarger County Judge Greg Tyra, a proclamation by Vernon Mayor Jeff Bearden, several speakers, patriotic songs including the National Anthem, retiring of the colors, the playing of Taps, and the final unveiling of the Doughboy. |
Program cover for the 2011 rededication.
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The copyright plate by the proper right foot is missing, so it's impossible to determine whether it bore the name of "Americus, Georgia" or "Spencer, Indiana" on it. The Vernon restoration committee opted to add "Americus, Georgia" to the new lettering on the stone pedestal, although, in the opinion of the webmaster, the installation date of December 5, 1926 might have favored the choice of Spencer, Indiana. It's even possible the missing copyright plate might have borne the name of Walter Rylander, since there are four Viquesney Doughboys from the time period 1925 - 1926 that do.
