The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1880-08-20
wAsHlNGToN's MONUMENT.
Work TO be Resumed on The Structure.
Washington Corr. Chicago Times,

Washington Corr. Chicago Times,
Probably the highest elevator in the
world il that just completed in the VAST
mgtun monument, the first trial of which
was made today. 1t is 176 feet high, is
capable of bearing ten tons and was built
at cost of SEQ, 900. 1t IL run by an So
horse power engine, and will be used to
carry the stones to the top of the shaft. A
railroad constructed from the workshop
runs to the foot Of the monument, where q
derrick hoists the stone and places it on the
elevator An iron stairway has been put Ia
at cost of $l6.0 900. Both the stairway
aud elevator will be permanent. AS the
work proceeds sections will be added to the
elevator. THIS will occasion delay of two
weeks as each section of 90 feet is placed in
position.
The present heighth of the elevator,
which is twenty feet higher than the shaft,
will be all that is expected to be built this
year. The cable which sustains the eleva-
tor has been tested and will sustain 1875,
600 pounds. The workmen arc now reno
wing from the top of the monument three
layers of stone, which are equal to six feet
in heighth, which was found to be neces-
sary. as 1t bad scaled and was in other ways
unfit for use. On top of the monument
are u number Of men engaged in removing
the immense stones which form the top
Ia ota htpckc raisaH
by derricks and placed upon a small truck
riding on rails, which is then run on the
elevator. IL then is lowered, there being a
track at the bottom upon which the truck
is rolled out on terrace. From this
10 nj stones are let down about twenty
feet 10 the ground.
Mr.. Mclaughlin, superintendent, has d
force of 125 men employ ed at the work,
SOD exp~ctcd to lay the first stone about
the II =, Of Aucust. The elevator, engine
ard everything rf the sort, shich are no"
alb we the level nf th terrace, but covered
l., a frame building, will oe covered over
50 A. t. make the track level when the road
i. to he completed. thus keeping the motive
power of the elevator entirely out at sight.
in earnest il is expected that course OF
two feet will be laid every three course.
To cut and trim the stone necessary for a
course takes the labor of twenty men for a
week. The monument, it is expected,
should Congress give the necessary appro-
priatious, will be finally completed in 1868.
The foundation has been strengthened so
as to bear all the additional weight that
may be necessary to its completion. 1t now
has a foundation of 81 feet, 13A feet deeper
than tire old one. The foundation is COM
posed Of a composition of English Portland
cement and crushed blue stone, and is con
sidered much stronger than masonry.
Thirteen Thousand barrels of cement were
used in the foundation alone, which has
cost $92, 900 The monument is TO be $50
feet high, of which heighth 152 feet have
already been attained. The present weight,
including the foundation, is estimated at
4O, 900 tons. At the base the foundation IL
Is feet thick, losing batter of one-eighth
inch, to lse technical phrase or, IN 9TH
er words the walls are one-fourth inch
narrower for every foot attained at the sum
nit The walls are now twelve feet In
thickness. AS the monument stands al
present upwards of $500, 900 have been ex-
pended on its erection. Work on the mon-
ument has begun in earnest and the busy
hum of the chisel can be heard on all sides
When the first stone is laid it will have beer
fully twenty years since the last one VA
put in place. One of the most interesting
incidents connected with the last work up-
on the monument was the destruction by I
baud of Know Nothings of stone with al
appropriate inscription by the Pope a
Rome. This was regarded as very sacrile
gious and great outrage by the Catholic
of the country, who to this day predict tina
the monument will never be completed.
A characteristic feature which attract,
the eye on going up the elevator or ascend
ing the stairway are blocks Of all varieties
of stone set in rough walls, part Of then
contributed by other countries. In every par
of the world, and Masonic and other fra
ternities. Each stone beafs on its out
ward surface appropriate Inscriptions
| The blocks themselves consist Of every con
| ceivable variety of granite, marble, sand
stones and other stones. The blocks from
Europe are especially magnificent and com
from the most noted quarries of the coun
| tries contributing them.