River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1880-05-27
FARRlGUPs MEMORY.
A Sketch Of The Statue Now Being Cast
at the NaYy-Yard.

-Four years ago congress passed reso-
luton appropriating $40, 600 for colos-
sal statue of Admiral Farragut, to be
cast in bronze; and authorizing the sec
rotary of the navy to enter into con-
tract for the work. The award was to
be open to competition, and commit
tee, composed of the secretary of the
navy, the general of the army, and the
widow OF Admiral Farragut, was APP
pointed TO select tae artist. When Miss
Vinuie Ream returned from Europe,
after the death of Admiral Farragut,
she began TO model bust of that great
naval hero. About the time it was fin
ished the committee above mentioned
held meeting at the Arlington hotel
TO examine the models entered for
competition. twenty-five were sub
mitted for examination. representing
the most distinguished artists in the
country. The result was the award of
the work to Miss Winnie Ream, whose
model was declared the best and most
perfect likeness of the deceased admir-
al. The artist then set TO work, pre-
pairing the model subject to the sug-
gestions of the committee, and about a
year ago they made a report to congress,
expressing their satisfaction at the
work. Mrs. Farragut has taken the
deepest interest in the matter, and has
made four visits to this city, watching
the progress Of the model and encour-
aging the artist. Having gone abroad
with the admiral, this lady, in every
way remarkable woman and gifted
with excellent judgment, had unusua!
opportunity Of studying art, aud her
expression of entire satisfaction with
the work of Miss Ream was very assur-
ing TO the young artist.
When the model was finished in plas-
ter the secretary of the navy kindly
issued an order that the statue should
be cast at the Washington navy-yard in
order that the artist might be able to
give it her constant care and attention,
only conditioned that it should not in
terfere with government work and
should be cast at the artists expense.
Finding that there were no workmen
experienced in molding statues at the
navy-yard, the artist advertised in the
Courier des Flats Uais, of New York, for
competent workmen, and succeeded in
securing the services of four men, every
way worthy to be entrusted with the
work, who have been steadily engaged
at it under the direction of the artist.
Chief Engineer Shock, of the navy-yard
who is very much interested in the
work, was inspired with the idea that
the statue of Farragut should be cast
from the metal which composed the
prope Ter of the Hartford, the flagship of
fbA Cd 40. oil 4.
Tallapoosa for it, and the statue is
now being cast of the metal which
drove the Hartford to victory and
crowned with unfadiDg laurels the
memory of her great commander. This
fact will doubtless be recorded on its
base.
The statue of Admiral Farragut is
ten feet in height. He is represented
as standing on the poop deck of the
Hartford with one foot resting upon a
leading block, around which is coil of
rope. He holds a marine glass in his
hand, the attitude indicating its recent
use. He is attited in undress uniform
wearing a cap, sword, and shoulder
| straps. These articles were modelled
from those he wore in the service, and
/ WSlC IOdECA w lHG tltiSl ny MIS- It DR.
ragut. The statue will be mounted on
pedestal of Vermont granite, which
is nearly finished, and when all is COM
pleted will be placed in Farragut
square.
While this work is in progress the
artist occupies a studio in the iron
foundry of the hayward. She is at
present engaged upon clay bust OF
Commodore Febiger, varying her en-
ploylnent by working upon that and SUI
perntending the models. The studio
is adorned with a framed letter from the
widow of the admiral and her son at.
testing their appreciation and satisfac-
ton at the faithful likeness Miss Ream
has produced of the husband and faith
er. The artist is at work at the navy
yard every day, and on Saturday after
noon receives any who may honor her
with call. The entire work is now
nearly completed and will soon be
ready for delivery to the committee.