Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1871-09-07
The Lincoln Monument.

A correspondent of the Boston Adcer.
ttser writes from Springfield, Ill, August
Z: The monument now being raised to
the memory of Abraham Lincoln is the
chief object Of interest here. The site of
the monument is high, natural ground,
with gentle slopes, and standing at q
goodly distance from the main cemetery
on the side nearest the main entrance.
The architectural part of the monument,
which is now nearly completed, has been
done by w. d. Richardson, of Springfield
1t consists of solid base built OF the best
quality of Quincy granite. This is 81 feet
in height and II feet square, IL feet of the
height being below the surface 1t is sur
rounded by terrace "a teet square. On
this base stands the monument proper, or
obelisk, rather, which is also of Quincy
granite It's height is So feet, it is II feet
square at the base, taporing to s ieetsquare
at the apex.
The shaft presents an imposing appear
ance, its very simplicity giving it a charac-
teristlc grandeur not to be seen in more or
nalnental shafts. 1t has circular opening
from base to apex, which you can ascend
by circular iron stairway. Near the
apex a good view Of the surrounding
country is afforded, through windows cut
in the sides of the shaft On one side
there is q semi-circular projection of the
mason work, of even height with the ter
race, entered by door on level with the
ground. This is called the catacomb, and
has six cryptS-one for the remains OF Lin
coin and five for the members Of his iami-
ly. Opposite the catacomb, on the south
side of the base Of the monument, is an
other projection, also of granite, inside
l. ;oL, ;, han he of
name of Memorial Hail. it being in
tended for articles which may in any way
be regarded as souvenirs of the amented
President. From the terrace t. the
ground are four flights of steps, made OF
solid granite; but the terrace, catacomb
and memorial hall are all covered with
large slabs of very superior quality OF
limestone, the exterior walls of each being
of solid granite. Over door on the south
side of the obelisk is to be placed the coat
of arms of the United States, in bronze,
and on the prof ction where this door is
10 be placed, is to stand bronze statue OF
Mr. Lincoln, facing TO the south
On the terrace will be placed four
groups of statuary in bronze, representing
Infantry, cavalry, artillery, and navy Of the
United States-one opposite each face of
the obelisk. The architectural part of
the monument will cost $l36 $50. The
statuary is to be the work of Larkin G.
Mead, the famous Vermont sculptor. The
statue Of Lincoln has already been mod
eled in plaster, and is to be cast from can
non captured during the late war. Mr.
Mead is now at work in Italy upon the
coat of arms, and as soon as the model is
completed, it will be shipped TO this coun-
try to be cast in the same manner as the
statue of Lincoln. The other pieces OF
statuary will be completed as soon as the
funds Of the association will warrant the
outlay The statue will cost $13 100, and
the coat of arms $1,000. The subscrip
tions collected at the time the work was
contracted for amounted to nearly $l6O,
600 The largest proportion of these SUB
scriptions came from colored people, and
from the Sunday schools. 1t is probable
that public dedication will take place
early in the coming fall.