The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-08-08
The washington Monument.
WORK on 1T RESUMED AFTER STOPPAGE SIN
1SJ4-GR. HAYES AND 10 Z.
fWaShinDfon star Yesterday

WORK on 1T RESUMED AFTER STOPPbGE SINCE
1S54-GR. HAYES AND 10 7.
Washington star, yesterday
To-day about11 O'Clock the first stone in
the work of completing the shaft OF the
Washington national monument was laid
on the northeast corner OF the shaft, and
the work Will now be rapidly pushed for
ward. After the foundation had been
strengthened by the underpinning, it was
| found that since the work stopped, in 1854
about three courses of stone on top of tue
unfinished shaft had, by the action OF the
elements, scaled somewhat. and tie NOR
tar had dsintegrated. These courses
were therefore ordered by Colonel Casey
to be taken down, and were lowered to
the ground to be used hereafter in the
backing. This reduced the height OF the
| marble pile as il stands TO $50 feet. Yes
terday several stones were boosted by the
elevator to the top OF the shaft, and Colonel
Casey, in charge, invited the President and
Mrs. HAYES to be present at the laying OF
the first one to-day. This invitation was
accepted by President Hayes. and about
IOt O'Clock, accompanied by Colonel Casey,
| Captain Davis, DR.. j. Nj. Toner, and Dr.. j..
Il. Blake and several others, the party,
entering the east door, took seats in the
elevator, and in a short time were at the
top OF the monument. Here the magnih-
cent view was enjoyed for few minutes,
and the machinery for moving the stone
examined, as also the draft OF plan
Tor course OF stone next to he laid. The
President, Colonel Casey, Captain Davis, Of
the Fourteenth infantry, and others OF the
party, in anticipation OF the laying OF the
stone, had some com marked with their
| initials, and the day, month, and year, to
| place under it. For want OF time to do the
stamping, one or two OF them were marked
ST for the number of the month and the
| day, suggesting again The vote OF the Elec-
toral Commission. This, however, did not
| seem TO occur 10 any one until after the
stone was set. At a few minutes before ii
O'Clock, bed OF mortar having been laid
on the corner, the stone was attached to
one OF the derrick arms, raised. and
moved to its place; but before it was set
President Hayes stepped forward and laid
bis coin 10 the centre OF the cement, Colonel
Casey, Captain Davis, and others deposit
ing their coins after him. AT 1898 the
stone-6 feet in length and feet wide and
deep-was set In its place. Commodore
Ammen Joined the party after they reached
the top, and spent some time there after the
President left. In strengthening the foun-
| UatlOU tuc ututCtlOu vi tue bnub ~ ihSuCo
north and inches east was remedieG, and
the shaft is now plumb.
1t will probably take week to lay the
first course OF stone, but after the workmen
get familiar with the work it is expected
that they will lay three courses or more per
week, and that 1t will take about four years
to finish it. There are at present 1873 men
employed on the work. forty-two being
stone cutters. Colonel Casey is in full charge
OF this work, Captain Davis, of the Four
tenth infantry, being his assistant,) and
Mr.. Mclaughlin is the general superintend-
ent. They will push the work on as rapidly
AS possible.
In removing the three upper courses OF
stone, the fine block from the city OF Balti-
! more, marked 1885," was found to be the
only stone uniniured, and was left in It's
place. AS it has been determined to here
after use the other memorial stones by cut
| ting tablets off their lettered faces to be in.
serted in inches IN the inner wall, the Balti-
more stone will thus be highest OF the stones
| used in original form.