The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-07-23
wnshingseu'a Monument.
Especial teleuan TO the chicago Tises.l
THE YLkvAToR.


wAsBryeroy, July 10.-Probably the
highest elevator In the world Is that Just
completed In the Washington monument,
the first trial Of which was made to-day. II
Is I7o feet high, is capable OF bearing ten tons,
and was erected ut a cost OF $4,000. 1t Il
run by an sighty.horse- power engine, and
will be used In carrying the stones to the
| top OF the shaft. A railroad constructed
from the workshop runs to the foot Of the
monument, where derrick hoists the
stone and places it on the elevator. At the
top four railroads on either side convey the
stones to their places. An iron stairway
has also been put IN at a cost OF $4,000.
Both the stairway and elevator will be per-
manent. As the wolk proceeds sections
will be added to the elevator. This will oc-
casion delay OF two weeks as each section
OF twenty feet 10 placed In position.
M THE PRESENT HEIGHT
OF the elevator, which IA twenty feet higher
than the shaft, will be all that IL expected
to be built this year. THE cable which sup
ports the elevator has been tested, aud will
sustain 15S,0G0 pounds. Workmen are
now removing from the top or the monu-
ment three layers Of stone, which Is equal
to SIX feet iu height, which was found TO
be necessary, es 1t had scaled and is In
other ways unit for use. On top OF the
monument are a number OF men engaged In
removing the immense stones which form
the top Iayiugs. Tbe largest stoue.blocks
are raised by derricks and placed upon q
small truck riding upon rails, which is then
run upon the elevator. II is then lowered.
there being r track at the bottom upon
which the truck Is rolled out on a terrace.
From this point stones are let down about
twenty feet by derrick 10 terra tTmd.
Mr. Mclaughlin, superintendent, has a
force OF l25 men employed at the work,
and
EXPECTS TO COMMENCE
laying the first stone about the 1st OF Au-
gust. The elevator, engine. and everything z
OF the sort. which are now below the level
OF the terrace, bnt covered by frame
building, will be covered over, SO as to
make the track level when the work is COM
pleted, thus keeping the motiye.power OF
the elevator entirely out OF sight. When
work on the monument is commenced in
earnest 1t is expected that course OF two
feet will be laid every three days. To cut
and trim the stone necessary for course
takes the work OF twenty men for a
week. The monument, it is expected.
should Congrese give the necessary APP
preparations, will be finally completed
10 1885. The foundation has been strength
ened 50 as to bear all the additional weight
that may be necessary TO its completion. 1t
now mas a foundation Of 81 feet, l3s feet
deeper than the old one. This foundation
is composed OF a composition OF English
Portland cement and crushed biue-stone,
and is considered much stronger than ma
sOnry. Thirteen thousand barrels OF cement
were used IN the foundation alone, which
has cost $92. 900. The monument is to be
$50 high. OF which height 1872 feet has
already been attained.
THE PRESENT WEIGHT,
including the foundation. Is estimated at
forty thousand tons. At the base the walls
are fifteen feet thick, losing a batter Of one
eighth inch, to use a technical phrase, al
every fGOt, or, In other words, the walls are
one-fourth inch narrower for every foot at
tanned ut the summit. The walls are now
twelve feet in thickness. As the monument
stands at present. upwards OF 100000 has
been expended on it's erection. Work on
the monument has begun in earnest, and
the busy hum OF the chsel can be heard on
all sides. When the first stone il laid il
will have been fully twenty years since The
last one was put In place.
A CHARACTERISTIC FEATURE
which attracts the eye on going up tue ele-
vator or ascending the stairway are blocks
Of all varieties OF stone set in rough walls,
a part OF them contributed by other coun-
tries in every part OF the world, and Ma
sonic and other sraternities. Each stone
bears on its outward surface appropriate in
scriptions. The blocks themselves consist
OF every conceivable variety OF granite,
marble. sandstone, and other stones. The
blocks from Europe are especially magniti-
cent, and come from the most noted quar-
res in the countries contributing them.