The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1875-08-07
HOME MATTERS.
The Soldiers Monument.

We learn with no less regret than inoriiiica-
ton that the beautiful monument erected to the
memory of the brave soldiers who fell in the
cause Of the Union during the late war, has not
yet been fully paid for.
The amount originally subscribed toward 1t in
notes, paid cash, etc, was $1,000; amount col
lected, s9,704s5. The expenses Of collection, al
lowing the collector u per cent, were 81 300,
leaving the real net amount collected sS3'3.s3
The contract price for putting up the monu-
ment was :ll500, leaving deficit OF 81, lO4.l5
The discovery was made after one Mr.. Hough-
ton had been collecting around the county some
time, that there was something wrong in his
way Of doing business. Forged notes Gas alleg-
ed) executed by him to secure his percentage,
began to turn up here and there, and farmers
and business men who had never been known to
dispute their accounts, and more especially to
deny their paper, commenced to positively rcpu-
date as forgeries their names upon notes appar-
emily signed by them for the monument Mr..
Houghton was not originally employed by the
monument committee as canvasscr, but had been
retained in office because they found him there
under former arrangement with certain pa
triotic gentleman who supposed he was getting
an honest man, but who was paid for his mis- take
by finding forged note on himself, drawn by
this same collector, for $50. This lloughton,
travelling all over the county and seldom coming
10 the county seat to make returns Of his sub
scrptions and collections, had ample time to re-
turn about three thousand dollars in forged
notes before suspected of treachery, and also oil
collecting 1860 above his expenses which he was
to have paid here.
Before all this had been fully developed, and
while yet the committee felt sure that they still
had ample means, they had let the contract for
building the monument to Mr.. Edward Mclnhill
thoroughly skilled worker in marble, for the
sum of S11,500 The committee holding notes
etc. to the amount of :l3,50O, left them, as they
thought, an ample margin to cover contingencies
and deficits.
Mr. McInhill went forward aud completed the
work in a most creditable manner, bat was
retarded for want of funds, owing TO the deficits
defacations and difficulty in making collections
Many who had fairly subscribed to the monu.
ment fund took advantage of IIoughton's nal
ieasance to delay payment; some who were
abundantly able 70 give, and would have freely
made a generous donation, refused Indignantly
because they found their names forged to notes
which they had never executed; others became
"hard up" and eventually were sued; and all this
reduced the ready cash in the monument treas
ury. Hence Mr.. McInhill was not only kept be-
hind in his work, being Il man in limited crcum-
stances, but was compelled eventually to borrow
means to save not only his business name but
his property. When the contract was let the
committee promised him to do all in their pow
err to help him through, and in doing so, in such
an undertaking and in such cause it cannot
be said that they should not be backed up by
every patriotic citizens of La Sale county. The
sum of three thousand one hundred and four
dollars aud a fraction remains due Mr.. McIn-
hill has justly earned it, and even more; by ex-
ira interest and his personal loss, should he get
it all Tomorrow he would still be out Of pocket.
Shall it be said that the patriotic citizens of La
Sale county who, at the laying of the corner
stone and again at the dedication OF this elegant
tribute to her soldiers, held such grand jubilee,
will so far forget the poor artist and mechanic
who erected it in all its elegant proportions as
to let him do one third Of it at his own expense!
1t Is proposed that the patriotic citizens of La
Sale county meet at the Court House in Ottawa
at some early day, subject 10 the call Of Gen
John Morrcll and Col VIM /. Gibson, the acting
members of the monument committee, and take
some action in the matter. It should be men
toned here that balance of accounts TINT were
honestly subscribed cannot be collected for the
reason that the parties are unable to pay.
= Let us suggest, in conclusion, that the propos
ed meeting appoint local committee in each
township to see what can be done in the way Of
paying this debt which, when settled, will be
the real completion Of the soldiers monument