There are still no suspects in the defacing of a Confederate Statue at Myrtle Hill Cemetery.

Rome Police responded last Thursday morning in reference to damage to one of the statues.  According to the police report, the statue of a Confederate Soldier at the top of the cemetery received damage to its head, hands, and rifle.

The estimated cost of the damage is listed at $200,000.

The cemetery was locked at 6:30 p.m. the previous Wednesday and the statue was in good condition as of 2:30 p.m. that day.  According to Rome City Manager Sammy Rich, the statue has been removed and city crews are looking at options regarding repairs.  Rich added this appeared to be a “strategic” act of vandalism and a ladder and tools were likely used to damage the monument.  

This is not the first time there has been vandalism at Myrtle Hill.  In 2004, the grave of Ellen Axson Wilson, the wife of President Woodrow Wilson, was damaged and several markers were tipped over.  

(pictured – the intact statue from Wikipedia and a picture of what was left after the statue was removed).

(WRGA/www.wrgarome.com)