Cape Girardeau approves plan for black soldier statue

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CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (AP) _ The Cape Girardeau City Council approved a
resolution to accept a bronze sculpture of a black, Civil War-era Union soldier
to be placed in a city park.

The council approved the resolution Tuesday without comment. The Southeast
Missourian reports the statue could be erected by June in Cape Girardeau’s Ivers
Square. The park already has memorials for Union and Confederate soldiers.

The council last year renamed Common Pleas Courthouse Park in honor of former
Cape Girardeau slave James Ivers and his wife, Harriet. James Ivers died of
illness while serving in the Union Army in 1863.

He was among more than 200 black men who enlisted in the Cape Girardeau Union
Army in 1863-64.

Supporters told the council last month they hope to raise $60,000 to fund the
project.

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