Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-08-07
LOCAL NEWS.
Washington National uouuuc,,



RESUMPTION OF WORK ON THE su.rr
To-Day about II O'Clock the FIRST STONE IN the
Work OF completing the shaft OF the Washington
National Monument was laid on the nortbsast
co ner OF the SHAFT, and the work win nov no
ispnIy pushed Forward. After the foundation
had been strengthened by the Undermining it
was found that since the work stopped in ~
about three courses OF stone on ton of Tho mn
finished shaft had, by the action OF the elc.
ments, scaled somewhat, and the mortar haa
d1 sintegrated. These courses were therefore
or iered by Col Casey 10 be taken down ana
were lowered 10 the ground 20 be used hereafter
In the backing. This reduced the height OF the
marble pile as Il stands 10 $50 feet. Yesterday
several stones We're hoisted by the elevator 20
the top OF the SHAFT, and Col Casey in charge in-
vited the President and Mrs Hayes 10 be present
at the laying OF the first one today. This inyt-
tation was accepted by President Hayes. and
about lo1I O'Clock, accompanied by Col. Casey,
Capt. Davis, DR.. J. NJ. Toner and DIR. j.
b. h axe and several others. the party, en-
teripg the east door, took seats In the elevator,
and IN short time were al the top OF the mou-
ument Here the magnificent view was enjoyed
for a few minutes. and the machinery for
moving the stone examined, as also the draft
or plan for course OF stone next 10 be laid. The
President Col. Casey. Capt. Davis Iof the l4th
intanny. and Others OF the party, In anticipa-
ton OF the lay ing OF the stone had some coin
marked with their initials, and the day month
ana year. TO place under IL. For want or time
10 do the stamping. one or two or them were
marked So for The number or the month and
the day, suggesting again the vote OF the cleo
toral commission. This, however, did not seem
10 occur 10 any one until after the stone was set.
At few minute before IL O'Clock a bed or NOR
tar having been laid on the corner. the stons
vas attached 10 one OF the derrick arms, raisei
and moved TO Its place; but before it was SCI
President Hayes stepped forward and laid his
coin In the center of the cement, Col casey
Capt Davis and Others depositing their COLI
after him. AT 1889 the stone-6 feet In leng,
and feet wide and deep-was set in fits plac
Commodore Ammen Joined the party after tho,
reached the top and spent some time there ali
the President left In strengthening the fOu
dation the detection or the Shaft : incl'
north and p inches east was renedied, and t..
shalt is now plumb.
TIE WORK AND THE woRKNEN.
1t viii probably take a week TO lay the
course OF stone, hut after the workunen
familiar with the work II is expected that [
VIII lay three courses or more per week. ..
that it Will take about four years 10 finish
There are at present 1873 men employed on
work, ~ being stonecutte-s- Col Casey +
full charge OF this work. Captain Davis, OF
l4th Infantry, being his assistantl aud Mr. !.
Loughlin is the general superintendent II
viii push the work on as rapidly as possible
THE BALTIMORE STONE.
In removing the three upper courses OF Stor
the fine block from the city OF Baltimore mar
ed "lS50," was found TO be the only stone unl.
jured. and was LEFT In itS place. As II has bee
determined TO hereafter use the other mem,
rial stones by cutting tablets OF their IcttereI
faces TO be inserted In inches IN the inner wall.
the Baltimore stone VIII thus be highest OF the
stones used Ia original form.
A RAHRoAD To THE MONUMENT WANTED
Gen. Casey, engineer IN charge or the monu-
meut, to Gay addressed a note 10 the District
commissioners stating as foilows:-"The ma :
bic for continuing the construction OF the
Washington monument Is TO be brought 10 this
CITY by railroad. It viii be a great advantage
10 the L United States, IN the speedy and econOm-
ical prosecution OF this work, II the cars can be
run upon the monument grounds and unload at
the site OF the structure. short piece OF
temporary track connecting the rails at the foot
or l4th street with the monument lot VIII
accomplish this much desired object, and it IS
respectfully requested that the necessary
authority may be granted for this purpose
The note was referred to the engineer Commits
StOper,