 In the early 20th century, GAR membership declined as veterans died of old age and organization leaders began plans to memorialize them and the GAR itself.To honor the group's founder, the GAR, at the behest of General Charles Partridge and the "National Tribune", raised $35,000 from its members to erect a memorial for Stephenson.Congress appropriated an additional $10,000 on March 4, 1907.