Page News & Courier
Heritage and Heraldry
The Original Summers-Koontz Memorial of 1893
Article of April 1, 1999
First let me take the opportunity to thank everyone who supported the Summers-Koontz Roadside Marker effort made over the past year. The goal for raising the $1,100 in funds has been met and the process for approval is now underway. Ironically, the same time that my letter and proposal was submitted to Richmond, another was submitted by Coiner Rosen of New Market for a marker regarding the same event. While his marker will be located near the site of the execution, the funds raised over the past year will be for a marker in Page County which will be located, pending the approval of the Virginia Department of Transportation, somewhere between Page County High School and Newport along Route 340. Both roadside markers are tentatively scheduled for dedication on June 27, 1999 (the 134th anniversary of the tragic event) - at non-conflicting hours that day.
In 1893 a similar effort was made by Thomas Jackson Adams of Quicksburg, Virginia. However, instead of a roadside marker, the goal was set for a marble monolith, which still stands at Rudes Hill today.
Adams, a native of Frederick County, was a former member of Company K, 23rd Virginia Cavalry, postwar postmaster of Quicksburg and member of the Turner Ashby Camp, United Confederate Veterans. An important fund raiser in several monuments in the Shenandoah Valley, Adams had hoped that the site at Rude�s Hill would �often visited by those who admire courage and fortitude, and the tragic deaths of Capt. Summers and Sergt. Koontz will long live in the memories of our citizens and deserve to be recited in song and story, - to show what atrocities our people suffered in war, and how heroically these men met their untimely fate.�
Unlike the cost of the cast aluminum roadside marker sought after in today�s fund raising efforts, Adam�s goal was for a marble monument. But time and prices have changed significantly. The marble monument, though probably much more expensive when purchased today, represented �a cost of about $175, at a low estimate.� The marble monument was to replace the wooden pillar that had been erected on the spot soon after the execution of the men in 1865. Adam�s 1893 one ton marker was constructed of five pieces and made of Italian marble. The base is 28 X 28 inches and 6 inches in height, with a plinth, 22 X 22 inches and 8 inches in height. The die is 16 X 16 inches and 19 inches in height and bears different inscriptions on its east, north and south faces. The lettering being done by Mr. Walter M. Cox of Quicksburg, whose father was a Confederate soldier. The die is surmounted by a column 30 inches in circumference and 5 � feet in height, terminating in a cone. Though it once was highly polished and �beautifully proportioned,� the monument has grown gray with time. The entire structure is still surrounded by the original - though rusting - iron fence, consisting of 4 posts of solid iron, 3 inches square, sunk deep into the ground, connected with 8 rods bolted together. The iron work having been done by Mr. John H. Myers, also of Quicksburg. Henkel & Co. Publishers of New Market provided the complimentary printing for the programs for the dedication.
Contributors to the 1893 monument included several Confederate veterans. From the 7th Virginia Cavalry were Col. Richard H. Dulaney, Erasmus Nicewarner, William H. Olinger, William A. Pence, and Lt. John H. Connel and Benjamin D. Guice (both of Capt. Summer�s Co. D); 1st Va. Cav.: Thomas L. Williamson; 10th Va. Infantry: Philip W. Magruder; 12th Va. Cav.: John T. Colston, Henry W. Glaize, Alonzo F. Grandstaff, R.M. Lantz, John C. Ruby, O. Shirley; 18th Va. Cav.: Dr. Isaac N. Baker; 23rd Va. Cav.: Col. Charles T. O�Ferrall, Capt. Thomas J. Adams, Bowman, John E. Hopkins; Captain Rice�s 8th Star Artillery: George W. Koontz, Capt. Berryman Z. Price, Jacob H. Woods; Stonewall Brigade: William E. Russell; civilians: M. Bantz, John W. Clinedinst, Miss Sallie Glaize, David Kingree, Gideon Koiner, Mag Moore, Daavid & Cass Moyers, Miss Nannie Quick, Jacob W. Rice, N.W. Shuler (relative of Sgt. Koontz), Charles B. Stiegel, and the Honorable M.L. Walton.
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