The Captain O'Neill Rough Rider Monument

" . . . a territorial monument to the Rough Rider heroes of all Arizona. . . ."

The campaign to create a memorial to Buckey O'Neill began soon after his death. His friend Michael Hickey, owner of the Hotel St. Michael, launched a fund-raising campaign: a giant pumpkin was donated, raffled-and raffled again! "Buckey O'Neill" cigars were sold by a Prescott cigar maker, and school children donated their pennies.In 1905 a legislative appropriation of $10,000 spurred the project to life. This funding came with a caution by Governor Joseph Kibbey that it must be " . . . a territorial monument to the Rough Rider heroes of all Arizona. . . ."

According to Borglum's wife, Emma, a "homeless Scot" was the model for the rider's face. Forged at the Roman bronze Works in New York City, the statue arrived in Prescott by rail on June 28, 1907, despite a misrouting in New Mexico. The granite base came from near Thumb Butte. On July 3, 1907, after a "mile-long" parade, the memorial was dedicated by a large and emotional crowd. 

Prescott businessmen sought an artist willing to sculpt a heroic bronze for such a low sum. Several New York artists scoffed, but a mining engineer recommended Solon H. Borglum. When told that only $10,000 was available, Borglum said," You shall have your monument!" The contract was signed in April, 1906.

WAR: MAKING A WAR | CUBA | U.S.S. MAINE | AMERICAN SPIRIT

SOLDIERS: ROUGH RIDERS | TERRITORIAL INFANTRY

O'NEIL: BUCKY  | PAULINE

EPILOGUE: ROOSEVELT'S ROUGH RIDERS | MONUMENT | WORLD | ACKNOWLEDGMENTS