INDIANA soldiers' (a SAILORS' MONUMENT 18518 I-ibri«ry •rc«n4|reie Iwo Copies Received JUL 12 1900 Copyright «ntry SECOND COPY. OelivtrW to OKOLrt WVISION, -44)1 13 1900 INDIANA SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' MONUMENT A State's TnhntL' to Her Silent Victors (copyrighted) ::ii3^ FRIEND who visited tlit- Indiana State Soldiers' and Sailms' Monument for the first time was greatly impressed by the grandeur and statclincss of the structure. She was profuse in her expressions of praise of the mimument as a work of art, and said: " I have visited the memorials in many cities, hut 1 never saw an\-- thing equal to that erected b_\- Indiana to her ' Silent N'ictors.' But why is it," she continued, "that there is nothing accessible to the visitor which describes this grand structure, and explains the statues and emblems exhibited and the epochs they represent? It is a need that should be supplied." It is to fill, in some measure, this need that I presume to publish this little description of the Monument of which ever)' Indianian ma\- be justl)- proud. It is but just to sa_\' that the t\-pographical excellence and artistic effect of the work are due to the Hollenbeck Pre^s and the Indiana Illustrating Company of 'Indianapolis. Jl'Li.\ S. Conklin. Westfield, Ind., April 27, 1900. E k'W Victory, Indiana Soldiers' and Sailors* jMonument In the center of lliccityof Inilianaiiolis, at the intersection of Meridian anil Market streets, Hes a circular park ccmlainin^' over two acres of ground and surrounded b)' a wide street. Radiating from this circle arc four ave- nues, extending to the northeast, southeast, northwest and southwest. These avenues, together with the streets which lead toward the cardinal points of the compass, form an immense wheel, with the circle as the hub or converging point. In the center of this circle, which bears the name of .MouLiment Place, stands the Indiana State .Soldiers' and Sailors' Monu- ment. This Monument is an e\olution. It grew out of the times and events in the hislor\- of the State. It is original in ever_\- particular, and purely .Vmerican, and is the largest iiioiiumcnt ever erected to tlic soldiers of aiiv country. It is built of light gray oolitic limestone jMocured from the quarries of Indiana. The stone is of tine qualit)- and great durabilit_\-. The main shaft is square, and except where narrow windows are cut, it presents a smooth and unbroken surface. 6t2c of the Monument At the base, the monument is sixt\-two feet in diameter and decreases in size until beneath the capital it measures 12 feet. The diameter of the circle, including the approaches and foundation, is 192 feet; diameter of War Group Over Cascauk. foundation and terrace, iiofeet; heiuht of terrace, ii feet; pedestal, 59 feet; shaft, includint,'' i^cd- estal, 149 feet; laterne, Ji feet; \'ictor_\- statue, 28 feet ; total height of Mcmunient, 26S feet. The di- ameter of the base at terrace is 68 feet; petle^tal at base, 40 feet 6 inches; pedestal at base, including projections, 62 feet; pedestal at top, 35 feet; shaft at pedestal, 32feet; shaft at base, 22 feet 6 inches; shaft at second astragal, 18 feet 3 inches; shaft at capital, 12 feet G inches; laterne, 8 feet. The plat- form of the capital, which is 220 feet above the earth, is reached by an electric elevator and a spiral stairwa)- ; the laterne rising from this bears a bronze statue of \'ictor\-. On the north and south sides of the Monument are wide stone steps seventy feet long, which lead to the platform of the terrace. The interior of the Monument is reached through bronze doors above which are large tablets bearing the following inscriptions : Socth Tablet: WAR FOR THE UXION. 1861-1865. Indiana \'olunteers. 126 Regiments Infantry 175,772 13 Regiments Cavalry 21,605 I Regiment Artillery 3.830 26 Batteries 7.i5> Navy 2,130 Total 210,407 Killed and died, land forces 24,416 r^ North Tablet: WAR WITH MEXICO 1846-1847-1848. Indiana Regiments, Nos. i, 2, 3, 4, 5. 4,585 Men. INDIAN' AND BRITISH WAR. 1811-1812. Battle of Tippecanoe. Indians Defeated Nov. 7, iSii. WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. Capture of Vincennes from the British, February 25, i77g. War Group. Abo\c these tablets is the inscription of dedication : TO INDIANA'S SILENT \"!CTORS. Abo\-e the doorways tlie legend "U. S." is car\'ed in the form of the belt-plate worn by the Union soldiers. This inscription forms the connection between the several parts of the stone astragal on cither side of the door\va\'s, representing the corps-badge^ of liie army and the different branches of the service and is emblematic of the union of the State with the National authorit}'. On the ea^t and west sides of the terrace arc cas- cade fountains. These cascades are among the most conspicuous features of the Monument ; the}- ha\'e a minimum cajiacitx' of 7,000 gallons of water per minute for each cascade. The amount of water consumed dail}' by these cascade fountains is 12,600,000 gallons for both — for tiftcen hours per day for eight months in each year. The water used to supplx" the fountains is pro- cured from wells situated beneath the Monument. Above the cascades are to be placed statuar)' groups representing "Peace" and "War." while on a le\el with these groups, upon pedestals at the entrance to the terrace, are stone, statues representing the infantr)', ar- tiller}-, ca\alry and nav\'. On four stone pedestals at the north and south stair platforms arc to be erected four large bronze candelabra, each forty feet high, while four smaller ones are to be placed over the drinking Peace Group. Peace Gkoip Over Cascade. fountains on the cast an(] west sides of the fountain basins. The jiipcs for tlie fountains arc to he fitted into bronze buffalo iicads. Un the cast and west titles of the Monument, abox'c the foinitains, arc larije sculptured groups emblematic of "War" and "Peace." These are the largest groups of statuar_\- in the world. They are ^J feet high, and 22 feet wide. The work of cutting these groups began January 1 i, iSi)S, and was completed March 16, 1899. Six thousand ti\e hundred cubic feet of stone were used in the west group, and five thousand five hundred cubic feet in the east group. There is much of sentiment and much that is subtle in the designs of these great "War and Peace Grou[)s," which are one of the great features of the Monument. The_\- are not onl)- great works of art but the)' represent our coimtry's struggle for the Union — the perpetuation of the American spirit and the peace and prosperity whicli followed that struggle. The panel representing "War" is a bat- tle scene, representing cavalry, charging infantr)' and artillery. In the center the fierce goddess of war urges on the charge, while Columbia, in the background, upholds the stars and stripes. The "Peace" group represents the home coming of the \'ictorious troops — the happy reunion of families and the peaceful emblems of labor. In the center, Libert}' upholds the flag, while at her feet the freed slave lifts up his broken ch;iins. The angel of Peace, hovering over the scene, holds aloft the wreath of \'ictor\' and tlie olix-e branch of peace. One of the strongest, and one of the most impressive features of the structure is the army astra- gal. This bronze panel is twelve feet high and encircles the Monument 70 feet from its base. It rep- resents the implements and the carnage of war. "The shaft grows upward out of this astragal." Out of this exhibition of carnasje and of war, comes this beautiful emblem of triumph as typified b\' the crowning figure — "Victor}'." The author of this astragal is Nicoiaus Geigcr, of Berlin, German}-. Twelve feet above the arm\' astragal, is the smaller, but cquall)- impressi\e bronze naval astra- gal, designed b_\' George W. Brewster, of Cleveland, Ohio, at a cost of $13,000. The chief features of this astragal are the representations of \essels used in the war, including Admiral Farragut's flag- ship, "Hartford." The bowsprits of these vessels extend ten feet be\ond the stone work. Eighty feet further up the shaft, and just below the capital, is the third bronze astragal bearing on two sides the date " 1861," and on the other two sides the date "1865." The\' are in gold fig- ures two feet high, on a bronze panel, also designed b\- Brewster, at a cost of $6,000. The capital, which i^ supported b\' eight stone eagles, includes a balcon\- surrounding a turret nineteen feet high, which supports the crowning figure, "\'ictory." This statue, which is thirt}' feet high and rests upon a bronze globe eight feet in diameter, is emblematic of freedom and of triumph, and the light of civilization. It-; weight is twent\-two thousand pounds and it is the largest bronze statue in the world placed at such a loft\' altitude. It also was designed bj' Brewster and cost $16,- 000. This crowning figure has been called the "poem" of the entire structure, and perhaps no feat- ure of the ]\Ionument appeals more strongl}' to the poetic fanc_\- than does the figure of "\'ictor_\-" standing upon this bronze globe, her right hand supporting a sword, the point of which rests upon the globe and t}-pifies the power of that arm\- to which victoi-\- was due, while in her left hand she holds aloft a torch, emblematic of the light of ci\^ilization. The young eagle perched lightly upon her brow is typical of the freedom resulting from triumph and light. The statue was un\-eiled during the National Grand Army Encampment in Indianapolis, September, 1S93. Size of Statue The height of pedestal is 85 feet; cf statue from feet to head, 22 feet; from head to top of torch, 8 feet; total height, 38 feet. Weight of head, 6,000 pounds ; torso, 8,000 pounds; globe or ped- estal, 3,000; arms 2.000; sword, 3,000 pounds. Total weight, 22,000 pounds. The models for the panthers' heads upon the corners of the pedestal were made by Paul \V. Bardett, of Paris, France. The models for the heads iCADE. , , , , ,. carved upon the kc)--stones of the pedi- ments above the tablets were made b_\- George W. Brewster, of Cleveland, Ohio. The four statues representing the infantry, the cavalry, the artiller\' and the navy, are the work of Rudolph Schwarz, of Germany. Thex- were designed by Mr. Schwarz, and executed by him in Indianapolis. These figures are full of life and action, and .so well do they represent the several branches of the army that they call forth the praise and admiration of all who behold them. The illuminations of the AIonunKiit, inchuling about one hundred incandescent lamps on the inside, and four twu-thousand candle-power arc lamps on the outside, as well as the power necessary to ()])LM'atc the elevator, l.irge \\ell-|iunip, centrifuf^al ]iiimps and sprinklers, and the water nece.ssar_\' lor ,ill tliese purposes, are supplieti by the niacliiner\' plant situated in th ■ cr_\-pt. The na\Ml cannon connecteLl with chain cables were donated b_\' the United States Navy De- partment, from the Government Xav_\' \'ards at Boston, Mass., and Brooklyn, X. Y. Construction of Monument The base of the foundation was placed upon a bed of concrete, of two distinct la\-ers, each nine inches thick; the concrete composed of Bortland cement and fine torpeelo gravel, and this mortar again mixed with broken stone of about two cubic inches. All the stone used in the Monument was taken from the quarries of Indiana; each piece was squared and rendered even enough to limit the width of all joints to one-half inch. The mortar used in every part was made of pure fresh Portland cement, mixed with torpedo gravel. The structure is so nearly tire proof as not to require insurance. The foundation is of stratified limestone. The floor, which is fire-proof, is constructed of iron beams and brick arches, plastered underneath on wire lathing and finished to secure marble tiling. The partitions, which are fire-proof , are made of hollow brick, plastered on both sides. The roof is constructed of iron rafters and terra cotta covered with copper. The turret which serves as a pedestal for the crowning figure is con- structed of iron covered with copper, and is secured to the iron frame-work below. The square base of the figure is secured to the turret b)- means of 96 bolts sufficientK' strong to hold the figure against the most terrific storm. The number of steps required to reach the balconx' of the capital from tlie street is ,isG; of these Infantryman. 32 arc of stone, on the extension of tlie Monument, the remaining 324 being of iron and hjcated in the shaft. The work done on the >triicture is strietl)' of nioiuiment.il character, intentiei! tn endure for many centuries, and to this end e\'er_\' possible care li.is been combined with the utmost sipi and the Northern Lakes was added to the State of Virginia and afterward ceded to the United States and subsequently divided to form the States of Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois. The statue represents General Clark w ith one foot resting upon a rock upon which the word "Vincennes" is engraved, his sword in his right hand, while his left points forward and upward. The figure is full of spirit and action, and e.\|>resses the courage and daring which characterized General Clark and inspired his men and encouraged them to greater effort, which led to one of the most re- markable achievements known to the history of our country. The statue was designed by the sculp- tor, John H. Mahoncy, of Indianapolis. SliUiam Rcnry Ravrison The statue of William Henry Harrison occupies a |3ositiun northeast of the Monument, to com- memorate the jieriod uf ilie Rexolution.iry War .md the Battle of Tippecanoe. General Harrison was ap|)iiintei.l the fn^st Governoi' nf Indi.ina Territm'y in iSoo, and during the twelve wars he served as chief executive of the embryo Sl.ite he e.xtiiiguishetl the bulian titles to nic.ire than twenty-nine million acres of land now included in the State of Indiana. His campaigns against the Indians which culminated in the Battle of Tippecanoe, November 7, iSii, completely overthrew the power of the hostile bands in Indiana and secured the peace and safety- of the settlers. Governor Harrison was one of the most influ- ential men in earl_\- Indiana and was greatly loved and honored by her people. ■jfamcs Cnhitcomb The third period in the militar)- histor}- of Indiana is commemorated b}- a statue of Governor James Whitcomb, which stands to the southwest of the ^Monument. During hi'- administration the war with Mexico occurred, lasting through the _\'ears 1S46, 1847 and 184S. Indiana enlisted for this war, five regimen; numbering 4,585 men; of these about 50 were killed in battle and 218 died of disease. AKTILLERV M.A.N. liie war was a scries of victories for the United States, and resulted in tlie acquisition of Texas, New Mexico and California. During the six j-ears he served as governor of Indiana, Governor W'hitconih did much to restore the State's credit which had been impaired by the failure of the internal improvement system, and it was largely through his efforts that a sentiment was created among the people in favor of a public school system and the establishment of bene\olent and reformatory institutions. Oliver P, Morton y\fter the death of Governor Morton in 1877, his friends concei\-ed the plan of erecting a statue in Indianapolis, in commemoration of his inestimable service during the War for the Union ; and to carr\- this plan into effect the "Morton Memorial Association" was organized, with General Lew Wallace as President. A bronze statue of Governor Morton was cast, for which the association paid $14,000. B\- autliorit}- of the General Assembly of the State the statue was placed in the center of Circle Park, where it stood until llie erection of the Indiana State Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, when it was removed to the southeast to represent the fourth period in the military history of Indiana. Governor Morton's service to the State and to the National government is too well known to need repeating, and so deeply is his memory imbedded in the hearts of the people that v;ords of further commendation would be superfluous. He will be known to future generations as he is to the present, as Indiana's great War Governor. As the effect of an)' public memorial consists in the attention wliich the work itself attracts, it is gratifying to the peojile of Iiuliana that the State Soldiers' and Sailors' .MunumeiU is the object fur whicli tlioiisaiuls of people \ i-^it tlic cit_\-. TIutc is -(.Idom an Imui' in the d.iy in wliieh slrantjers nia}- not be seen stanilinij about tile :\[(_innnient \ iewint^ it from different stand-pc lints. I he mere size oi the work conld not hold llieir attention ; so the s_\-mmetr)-, the artistic \-alLie and completeness must be conceded. Each added feature gives new beaut\- to this magnificent memo- rial ; and especial 1\- is it a source of gratification and pleasure to the veterans who delight to discuss its man\' interesting features; especiall)- do the figures representing the different Iiranches of the service appeal to their fanc\' ; the mai'ching infantr^nian, the scout, the artilleryman and the sailor all lia\e their peculiar fascination for the old soldiers, while the great "Peace and War Groups," army and na\\' astragals compel their admiration and studw The cascade fountains are a source of delight to the visitors and to those located in the hotel-, and nthcr buildings which sur- round ?iIonument Place. No place in Indiana represents so much money in so limited a space. It is the most valuable spot of ground in the State. The value of the State Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument as an educator of the people can not be overestimated. It is like a beau- ^'^'^°'^' tiful picture which grows in beauty and effect with stud_\-, and, like a grand bit of nature, becomes more beautiful with faniiliarit)-. It will never become "common." Rtstory of the Moiumcnt In i1k- _\Lar 1875, at tlic great Soldiers' Reunion in Im.Ii.in.ipolis, a movement was Ijcgun to build a State Soldiers' Monument, and a Monument Association was organized with an accumulated fund of $1,000. Subscquentl)- the Department of Indiana, Grand Army of the Republic, assumed charge of the enterprise. A Soldiers' Monument Committee was appointed and the funds in the hands of the original association were transferred to it. The first official action taken b\' the Grand Army regarding the erection of a Monument to the Indiana soldiers and sailors in the war for the Union was at the Department Encampment at Indian- apolis, February 22, 1882, when General John Coburn, representing George H. Thomas Post, read a communication and offered resolutions to tlie effect that the Department of Indiana Grant! Arm_\- of the Republic should inaugurate a movement to erect a fitting Monument to commemorate the deeds of soldiers and .sailors of the Union army, "who went from Indiana, and soldiers and sailors of other States who reside within the State." The resolution provided that voluntar}' subscriptions should be made quarterl)- by members, not to exceed ten cents per member for each quarter, and tliat the De[iartment officers be assigned the dut_\' of receiving such letters, reports, sketches and photograjihs as relate to the war and the soldiers, as should be furnished tiiem for preservation, as memorials of those who served in the Union army. The resolution was adopted and became a part of the Grand Army record. At this encampment Gen. James R. Carnahan was elected Department Commander, and he lost no time in devising plans for carrying out the wishes of the Encampment. Certificates of member- ship were issued, and the council of administration adopted a resolution to the effect that, when the sum vi $i 5,000.00 should be raised, the State was to be asked to appropriate a like amount for the erection of the Monu- ment. At the annual State Kncampment at Indianapolis, I''el3ruar\-, 1884, the State Soldiers' Monument Association tendered the Department the sum of mone_\- accumulated b)' that association. At this time the Department was not an incorporated bod_\' and inukr the laws of the State could not legally receive the mone_\- tendered b)' the Monument Association, and steps were taken to l.iwfull)' incorporate the organization. The articles of incorporation provided for tlie appointment of a ci.immittee in whose hands all matters pertaining to the erection of the Monument should be placed. This committee consisted of George J. I.angsdale, James R. Carnahan, 1). C. McCoUum, George W. Johnston and Thomas W. Bennett. X'arious plans were devised for the aecimiula- tion of funds for carrj-ing out the enterprise. An appeal was made to C.\NDEL.'\BRA. the Grand Arm}- Posts and details were arranged for a tliorough canvass of the State b}' townships. Communications were sent to a numhier of Intliana poets, asking for poems as a means of awakening ]K)[iu1,u- interest, and the newspapers of the State were requested to assist in furthering the mo\ement. I'^nmi the beginning it was the intention of the Grand Army to raise as much mone)- as possible and then to appeal to the General Assembly for a sufficient appropriation to complete the Monument. To j^rcpare the way for this an attempt was made to secure the adoption of a plank in the platform of eacii of the leading political parties in fa\or of the movement. In furtherance of the plans out- lined by the Monument Committee, the members of the Legislature were interviewed for the purpose of ascertaining the probabilitj- of securing the passage of such a measure as was desired, and a brief address read in each House, a copy of which was placed in the hands of ever}- member, explaining the origin of the Monument Committee, its object, what it had alread)' accomplished and the condi- tion of the Monument fund. The address closed as follows: " We make no humble appeal to \-ou to furnish the means and build a Monument; but we do point to the gra\TS of the unknown Indiana soldiers on every battle-field of the late war; to a countr\- saved from disruption, and made unprece- dentedly prosperous and the marvel of the world by the valor of the Union soldiers ; to the old flag, with not one star missing, and then to the capital of Indiana, where stands not one stone to mark the heroic age of the State, or to commemorate the deeds that ha\'e made her famous, and brought such blessings to the people, Iea\ing you to take such action regarding the erection of a monument as \our patriotism and public spirit ma_\- inspire." As a result of the efforts of the committee, various donations were made b}- posts, churches, organizations and individuals. For the purpose of securing the passage of a bill appropriating funds to assist in the erection of the Monument, a movement was inaugurated by which the members of the G. A. R. used their influence to elect such men to the Legislature as would pledge themselves to vote for such a measure. So well did the plan work, and so strong was the sentiment created in its fa\'ur throughout the .State, that in many count\- .ind di-tricl con\e]itions resolutions favoring the enterprise were unanimously adopted, and as a result both ihe Republican aiul Democratic State Conxcntions a(.l(i|itcil resolutions ilcclaring that a State Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument should be built: and when the lAj^dslalure assi'nililed in 18S7, the bill prepared b_\- the Monument Committee was presented.' The bill [iroxided for an aiiproiiriation of $200,000 to eotnplete the Monument, and untk'r its prox'isions a Board of Commissioners was to be appointed b_\- the Governor, Secretar)-, Auditor and Treas- urer of State. There was but one sentiment amonfj the people regarding the passage of the bill. Every- body fa\'orec! it. The Annual Encampment con\-ened Februar_\- 16—17. During the morn- ing of the first da)- an invitation was received from the House of Representatives for the inembers of the Encampment to visit its hall. The invitation was formally accepted, and the Encampment adjourned and marched in a body to the legislative hall, led 1)_\- the Department Commander, General Thomas W. Bennett. Filing through the several isles of the House, the \-eterans formed in front of the Speaker's desk Bruno Sch.mitz. and were introduced to the Speaker and the House. Commander Bennett grarefully tliankcd the Representatives for wh.it the\- had ah'ead)' done for the soldiers in providing for the Indiana Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' llonie, and for their nian\' expressions of interest in tlie \eterans, and read a memorial asking for the passage of the Monument bill then pending. The scene throughout was full of stirring sentiment and high regard for the veterans, and the_\- were assured that the_\- should recei\'e at the hands of their Representatives that which, b_\- right belonged to them. The business of the House was suspended to allow an interchange of good-will between the legislators and their visitors. The veterans then proceeded to the Senate Chamber, where the same scene was enacted. Following the formal proceedings the Senate adjourned to give opportunity for an interchange of greeting be- tween the soldiers and senators. On Februar)' i8th the bill passed the Senate without opposition and reached its final passage in the House on the 23tl, with on!)- sixteen opposing votes. On March 3, 1S87, Governor (}ra}- signed the bill making it a law. The cash and valid subscriptions received b)- the Grand Armj- Mon- ument Committee amounted to $21,000. The first commissioners appointed under the new law were: S. R. \'o_\les of Salem; D. C. Mc- Colluni, La Porte; George W. Johnston and Daniel M. Ransdell, of Indianapolis, and George J. Langsdale, of Greencastle. The Board organized June 28, 1887, by electing George J. Langsdale president. Having no definite conception of the character of the memorial to be erected, the Board ad\er- tised in the leading cities of Europe and America for designs from which to make a selection. In response to this advertisement seventy designs were received, representing every style of monimicnt and memorial hall. Several hundred photographs of the most celebrated monuments in the world were collected and many war scenes, bass-reliefs, etc., were also procured to assist the Board in forming, b\- com- parison, a proper judgment of the designs offered. To further assist the Board, the services of three experts were secured,- namely : Prof. W. R. Ware, of New York, Pnif, J. M, Campbell, of Crawfordsville, and Gen, T. .\. Morris, of Indianapolis. The examination, which began Januar)- 12, 1 888, and ended the twenty-seventh da\- of the same month, resulted in the unanimous choice, b\- both commis- sioners and experts, of the design presented b}- Bruno Schmitz, of Berlin, Germany. Mr. Schmitz was at once notified, and on February 28 he arrived in Indi- anapolis and took charge of the work of construction. He was appointed supervising architect, and a con- tract was formed between him and the Board of Commissioners ; a new design was made containing certain improvements, and some origmal features Rudolph Schwarz. were introduced under instructions of the Board, which determined certain cliaracteristirs of the work, and the whole was copyrighted. Under the terms of the contract, Mr. Schmitz appointed I'Vederick Baumann, of Chicago, his deputy architect and representative. The contract for tlie central foundation v\as let Ma)- 3 , 1S8S, to Enos Kege, of Indianapolis, for the sum of $31,683. i i , and the work completed before the fol- lowing winter. On Jan;:ary I, 18S9, the Board of Commissioners made its first report to the Gov- ernor, which covered the years iSSj-'SS, and showed the ])rogress of the work step by step, from the organization of the Board to the completion of the foundation, including the contract with Bruno Schmitz for the erection of the shaft and crowning figure. In Januar)-, 1889, Mr. Schmitz arrived from Germany, bringing with him a plaster model of the Monument, and proposals were received for the erection of the ap[>ro,iches, terraces and .^i^pcrstrii'-iurc. The contract was -awarded to the Terre Haute Stone Works Compan)-, and Thomas Mcintosh, ol Greenca.stle, was appointed superintendent to represent the Board, as an expert in stone work. In Jul}', Commissioner I). 'SI. Ransdall resigned and Gen. Thomas W. Bennett, of Richmond, was ap- pointed his successor. On August 22, 1889, the corner-stone of the Monument was laid with imposing ceremonies. The Department Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic was master of ceremonies, assisted by his staff officers antl the department officers of the Woman's Relief Corps and Sons of Veterans. After a grand parade through the streets of the city, the stone was laid in the presence of President Harrison, Governor Hovey and other State officials, and a vast assembly massed about the Monu- ment, amid the strains of martial music, the singing of National songs, the waving of flags, tiring of IWVX^ GOVEKNOK MUKIUN. artillery, and the applause of the enthusiastic multi- tude. A copper box containing important records and documents was placed in the receptacle pre- pared for it in the base of the corner-stone, and the great stone put in position. The stone, which is situated at tlie northeast corner of the Monument is oblong, with the greatest length — nine feet, in perpendicular direction. It is the eleventh stone in the course, and from the base line of the Monument to the bottom of this beautiful oolitic lime-stone is sixteen feet. The east side of the stone bears the inscription : August 22, 1889. Erected bv the People of Indi.^na; Act of General Assembly, March 3, 18S7. From this time the work on the Monument went forward as rapidl)' as the conditions would al- low. On ^Ia_\- 20, 1S90, the contract for making and placing the crowning figure was awarded to George VV. Brewster, of Cleveland, Ohio, for the sum of $12,500. This statue of "Victory," some- times erroneously called "Indiana," is regarded as a "triumph of art." With its pedestal it is among the largest bronze compositions in the world, and is the largest bronze figure ever put at that height in an)- countr)-. The contract for building the iron stairwa)- within the shaft, and for the cop- per-covered iron turret above the capital, was awartled H. A. Streeter, of Chicago, for $5,637.50. Under the sculptural competition for the side groups of "War" and "Peace," fourteen models were received, but they were unsatisfactor\' and a contract was not awarded. It was the intention, at one time, to place memorial tablets on the Monument in honor of the G. A. R. and other patriotic organizations, Init the plan was abandoned as not in keeping with the character and design of the Monument, c Diu-ing the spring of 1.891 the conclusion was reached b>' the Board of Commissioners to ijlace the dates 1846-1S48 u])on the upper astragal of the shaft in commemoration of Indiana's part in the war with Mexico, which was done the following year. This occasioned some criticism by the leading newspapers of the State, and caused a general outburst of opposition from the people, in which the Department of Indiana G. A. R. took the lead. Resolutions were adopted condemning the Board for recognizing an>' other period than that of the civil war in the inscriptions on the Monu- ment — declaring that the original design had been departed from, and demanding that the figures 1846-1848 be removed. This controversy was continued until, in September, 1893, b)' vote of the Board, a resolution was adopted to remove the figures, and to commemorate certain militar)' epochs pertaining to Indiana history by erecting in Monument Place appropriate statues of representative men of such periods, and by suitable mention of such epochs on the historical tablets of the Monu men*-. Gen. Wm. H. Harrison. On Februniy 2, 1803, Gen. Thos. W. Bennett died and Ihrn. W'ni. H. English was appointed to fill the vacanc)-. In April, 1892, a contract for the army a.stragal was made with Nicolaus Geiger, of Germany; the drawings for the cascades, presented by Louis H. Gibson, were accepted, and the contract for tlie general construction awarded Conrad Bender, of Indi- anapolis. In March, 1894, ^ contract was made with J. 11. !\Iahone}', of Indianapolis, for a statue of Gen. George Rogers Clark, to be placed in Monument Place in commemoration of the con- quest of the Northwest Territory, and the Rev- olutionary War. IMonumcnt Regents On March 6, 1895, the Legislature enacted a law abolishing the Board of Commissioners for the In(.liaiia State Soldiers' and Sailors' Mon- ument and providing for a Board of Regents. tm' Governor Whitcomb. The new Board appointed consisted of Gen. Lew Wallace, Commander G. V. Menzies and Gen. Fred Knefler. Tlie Board organized with Gen. Knefler as president and superintendent Gen. Wallace resigned after the first meeting and Gen. Jasper Packard was appointed to fill the vacanc)'. At this time the main structure of the Monu- ment, the approaches and surrounding features of Monument Place were to an extent completed. The features not completed were the large side groups, "War" and "Peace," and reliefs to be placed in position on the cast and west sides ; the statuar}' groups on the terraces and balustrades; the statue of William Ilenr}- Harrison ; the statue of Governor Whitcomb; the army astragal; the candelabra and other minor artistic features. The electric elevator within the shaft was in operation, and the structural part of the cascades to an ex- tent completed. The machinjr_\- plant, which was completed, was found to be inadequate to suppl_\- the necessary power and the Board of Regents Geokue Kogeks Clakk. exchanged the motors for those of sufificient power to meet the demands. The army astragal, designed by Nicolaus Geiger and contracted for by the Board of Commissioners, was placed in position in the late months of 1S95, and the cement pavements around the cascades completed. It was the original intention that the "War" and "Peace" groups and reliefs should be in bronze, but no design having been adopted b)- the Board of Commission- ers, the Board of Regents arrived at the decision that these side groups should be constructed of Indiana stone, and that the original design of the Monimient should, so far as possible, be carried out in accordance with the well- matured plans of the artist, Bruno Schmitz. Mr. Schmitz arri\-ed in Indianapolis in Ma\-, 1896, bringing sketch models of the groups, and after making such changes as were considered desirable, a contract was made for the execution of these groups and reliefs, to be constructed of Indiana oolitic lime-stone selected for that purpose, and that the whole should be finished and put in position on JUL 12 1900 or before August I, 1898, for the sum of $60,000. The small cascades erected were torn away and the present large cascade fountains erected. During the )-ear 1S97 t'l^ 'o^r drinking fountains on the east and west sides of the Monument were erected, and the contract for tlic impro\ement of Monument Place was let to Messrs. F. M. Sny- der & Co. for the sum of $38,500. In Ma\-, 1899, a contract was made with Bruno Schmitz for the erection of eight bronze candela- bra ; four large ones to be placed on the stone pedestals at the north and south stair platforms, and four smaller ones to be placed on the drinking fountains east and west of the cascade basins; and for buffalo heads to be placed on the fountains. A contract was made with J. H. Mahuney for bronze statues of Governor Whitcomb and Gen. William Henr\' Harrison to be erected in Monument Place. A contract was also made with Rudolph Schwarz for four stone statues, representing different branches of the arm_\' and na\\-, to be placed on the north and south sides of the Monument at the entrance to the terrace. The cost of the Monument is about one-half million dollars. The first money received for its erection was $J i ,000 from the Grand Army of the Republic. In 1S87 the Legislature appropriated $200,000. In 1891 the second appropriation of $30,000 was made b}- the State. In 1893 -^ '^^T of five mills was made on every $100 of ta.xable property, which amounted to $223,500.28. In 1899 the final appropriation of $100,000 was made by the General Assembly. The Legislature of 1897 niade an appropriation of $10,000 per year for the expenses of the Monument. This amount is still paid out of the General Fund, and all receipts are required to be paid into the State Treasur}-. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 002 113 026 6