The Spirit of the American Doughboy, (sculpture).

The Spirit of the American Doughboy, (sculpture).

Viquesney, E. M., 1876-1946, sculptor.

F. C. McColm Granite Company, fabricator.

The Spirit of the American Doughboy, (sculpture).

Pete C. Minotti Memorial, (sculpture).

Copyrighted 1920. Cast 1928. Dedicated Nov. 11, 1928. Relocated ca. 1967. Rededicated Nov. 11, 1983.

Figure: bronze; Base: Vermont granite.

Figure: approx. 7 ft. x 22 in. x 22 in.; Base: approx. 9 ft. x 5 ft. 2 in. x 5 ft. 2 in. (8 tons).

(Plaque on base:) 1917 (U.S. American Legion Seal) 1918/TO THE MEMORY OF ALL MEN/OF/LOGAN COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA,/WHO MADE/THE SUPREME SACRIFICE IN/THE WORLD WAR./KILLED IN ACTION:/(List of names)/DIED OF WOUNDS:/(List of names)/DIED OF DISEASE, ETC., A.E.F.:/(List of names)/THE ERECTION OF THIS MEMORIAL WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE ACTIVITY OF/PETE C. MINOTTI,/AIDED BY PATRIOTIC FRIENDS OF THE COUNTY./1928 (Tag on middle section of base reads:) THE F.C. McCOLM GRANITE CO./HUNTINGTON, W.VA. Founder's mark appears.

A World War I infantryman advancing through the stumps and barbed wire of No Man's Land. The soldier is in a running position. His proper left leg is forward and carries the full weight of the figure. He holds a grenade in his upraised proper right hand. He holds a rifle, roughly parallel to the ground in his proper left hand, at his side. The soldier's uniform is detailed, including a hard helmet with a rim and chin strap; a high-collared jacket; a belt with pouches attached; a backpack; a gas mask bag; loose, baggy pants which are wrapped from the knee to the ankle; and high-topped boots. His mouth is open as if he is yelling.

The plinth depicts stony, barren ground with tangled barbed wire, and two tree stumps. One of the tree stumps serves as a strengthening device for the proper right foot. The plinth rests on a tiered rectangular base of granite.

History -- United States -- World War I

Occupation -- Military -- Soldier

Dress -- Uniform -- Military Uniform

Object -- Weapon -- Gun

Object -- Weapon -- Grenade

Figure male -- Full length

Outdoor Sculpture -- West Virginia -- Logan

Administered by Logan County, Logan County Parks Board, Box 994, Logan, West Virginia 25601

Located Midelburg Island, Park in front of Logan County High School, Logan, West Virginia 25601

Formerly located Logan County Courthouse, Western entrance, Logan, West Virginia

The monument cost $6,000-6,500 and was erected through the efforts of Pete C. Minnotti and others. See Logan News (Logan, WV), Aug. 11, 1983, pg. 1, for photograph of the monument in its original setting. The statue was originally placed near the western entrance to the County Courthouse, but was relocated to Midleburg Island around 1967 when the new Logan County Courthouse was constructed. The sculpture has been vandalized over the years. In 1983, restoration work was done and both hands and portions of the arms were replaced. See Logan News (Logan, WV), Aug. 18, 1983, pg. 1, for photograph of the damaged statue before restoration.

IAS files contain related articles from Logan Banner (Logan, WV), Sept. 28, 1928 (pg. 1); Oct. 30, 1928 (pg. 1); Nov. 2, 1928, Nov. 9th, 1928 (pg. 1), and Nov. 13th, 1928 (pg. 1), which discuss the planning and installation of the sculpture. IAS files contain articles from Logan Banner (August 9, 1983, pg. 1, 14A); (Aug. 11, 1983, pg. 1); (Aug. 18, 1983, pg. 1); and (Oct. 6, 1983, pg. 1), which discuss plans for the restoration of the sculpture. IAS files also include copies of Logan News (Nov. 10, 1983, pg. 1) and (Nov. 17, 1983, pg. 5-7), which discuss the rededication ceremony.

Wesley, T. Perry, 1991.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, West Virginia survey, 1992.

Logan News (Logan, WV), Aug. 11, 1983, pg. 1.

Logan News (Logan, WV), Aug. 18, 1983, pg. 1.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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