Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1879-12-26
That Monument to Adam.

A letter from Elmira, n. Y, to tn
New York Star says: Elmira's scheme
for n monument to Adam is booming.
and facetious editers, who imagine the
project only exists in the minds of the
newspaper men, who have poked fun at
it from its first inception, will yet live to
see an appropriate shaft erected to the
memory of the late lamented proprietor
of Eden plantation. The idea originated
with Rev. Thomas X. Beecher and Mark
Twain. At first it was proposed to
erect monument at cost of about
$4,000; but since so much interest has
been manifested bv the moneyed men of
this city, the original subscription book
has been destroyed and new one
opened. A secret meeting of those in
terested in the affair was held recently
at the banking house Of Mr.. Frank G.
Hall, one OF the prime movers and hard
est workers in the matter. A reporter
of the &Gr called upon him this morn
ing, Mr.. Hall smilingly invited the re-
porter into his private apartments ana
said there was not much TO make public
at present. A meeting had been held at
which n committee of three consisting
of Rev. Thomas X. Beecher, M. H.
Arnot and Henry f, Drake, were ap-
pointed to correspond with the eminent
sculptors of this country for appropri.
ate designs for the proposed monument.
The meeting then adjourned subject to
the call of the committee.
You really mean business, then, in
this undertaking." said the reporter.
1t is generally thought to be a big
hoax by people outside the CITY,"
Certainly we do; we propose to raise
purse of not less than 500, 900 to be de
voted to the purpose"
What is your idea as to the design
of the monument?"
We'll, as to that have nothing to
say. The committee were instructed to
secure design as near the style of the
original man as an artist can possibly
create. 1t is to be of bronze and erected
somewhere in the city limits on a site to
be selected hereafter. In all probability
next June will see our ideas consum-
mated and the monument erected. Mark
Twain is TO deliver the dedication ora
ton, and prominent men from al parts
of the country are to be invited to be
present. We have embarked in the
enterprise solely upon patriotic princi-
Piles and desire to perpetuate the mem
DRY of q much-abused man. At the next
meeting some definite steps will proba-
bly, be taken which / shall be pleased to
communicate if you will call again"
The reporter next paid visit to NJ. ii.
Arnot, chairman of the committee ap-
pointed to correspond with the sculp-
tors. Mr.. Arnot said they had already
invited several prominent sculptors,
both in this country and Europe, to con
tribute designs, but declined to give
their names at present. They are to
furnish designs for the proposed monu-
ment, and it is expected the committee
will make selection from some of those
received. He thought the thing was
an assured success, and said that it
could not fail for " ant of funds, orthere
were capitalists at the bottom OF the
scheme who would contribute literally.
Rev. Mr.. Beecher is an enthusiastic
mover in the matter, and in reply to
queries upon the subject said he saw
no reason why Adam shouldn't be hon
ored equally with General Sullivan and
the rest of the American heroes.