Erected in 1903, the 50 foot pillar of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in St. Paul is crowned by a statue of the first U.S. volunteer in the Civil War, Josias R. King . A crowd of nearly 4,000 came out for the the monument’s unveiling at Summit Park. Minnesota National Guardsmen, Sons of Veterans, Spanish-American War veterans, and military units from Fort Snelling led a parade. Snow and cold weather prevented the statue of King from being placed atop the monument pillar. After a thirteen-gun salute, King and Susan Doran, the daughter of a Civil War veteran, unveiled pillar is made of Vermont granite. A Civil War veteran named Henry A. Castle spoke at the event. St. Paul Mayor Robert A. Smith accepted the monument on behalf of the city.
