In Mar. 1 issue, Russell County News
By Derek Aaron
Russell County News Editor

A replacement for the damaged Jamestown “Doughboy,” monument could cost as much as $25,000 if the American Legion decides to go that route, according to Judge-Executive Mickey Garner.

He said two more appraisals are expected in the coming days concerning the monument’s repair.

Jamestown Mayor Brooks Bates said the flagpole that stands behind the monument also needs to be replaced as it was also damaged by Danny Wilson’s pickup.

Wilson is the alleged drunk driver who rammed into the famed monument more than a week ago.

“I haven’t yet received word on what a new flagpole will cost but the last one that was purchased cost over $5,000,” Bates said. He said the flagpole replacement will be a joint effort between the city and American Legion.

Bates also said the big American flag had been taken down from the ailing flagpole as to not pose a safety concern in case a large wind took the flag, and subsequently brought down the flagpole.

“It’s definitely better to be safe than sorry,” Bates said.

The mayor said the American Legion Commander Jeff Reeder was spearheading the effort to get the actual monument replaced or fixed, depending upon the amount of money that will be received from Wilson’s insurance company and other funds.

He said the city was going to handle the account and all money toward rebuilding the monument and spend it at the discretion of the American Legion.

Bates said the insurance adjuster was compiling data now and would have final monetary numbers ready in the coming days as to how much the Legion will have to work with.

Reeder said he has already been in contact with some out-of-state companies that have expertise in this type of repair as well as sculptors.

He acknowledged that another town had purchased a full replacement statue for a cost of $18,000; Garner has stated that a $25,000 was more likely.

Officially known as “The Spirit of the American Doughboy,” the sculpture was designed in the 1920s by E. M. Viquesney and was originally designed to honor the veterans and casualties of World War I.

According to online research, in neighboring Casey County, their similar “Doughboy,” statue was shattered by a truck on Independence Day, 1982.

The following year a replica was made by Eleftherios Karkadoulias for $12,400. Liberty’s current “Doughboy” was dedicated November 11, 1983.