Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-12-06


The shaft of the Washington monument was
completed at two O'Clock this afternoon. when the
capstone was placed in its final position. The
ceremonies attending the laying OF the last stone
were very simple. 1t was private celebration, as
IL were the dedication proper being set for the 22d
OF February next Early in the week the hosting
apparatus which had been used for raising and
setting the stones OF the roof removed, and in
us stead was erected the quadrupOd, resting upon
Ihe wooden platform which surrounded the roof at
a height OF 533 feet There remained but nine
stones TO complete the structure and these were
paced upon the platform referred 70, ready TO be
hoisted In position by means of the block and
tackle attached to the new apparatus. Eight OF
these stones were set on Wednesday, and arrange
ments were then made for
THE CROWN PIECE.
1tsreally cuniform Keystone its height from base
to top being feet IN inches 1t is feet 5 inches
nigh on the outer face, with Finch shoulder to
bind on each side, extending 10K inches below. /
Is feet and fraction square at the bottom, and
inches IN diameter at the top where the aluminium
Tip hts on. Its weight is 1880 pounds. That this
stone might be set in manner betting the occa-
sion small but secure platform was built at the
any delay, the capstone raised and lowered into
TO see II 1t fitted accurately 1t then raised and
lowered again upon strong skids, and remained in
that position until this afternoon.
THE AERIAL CEREMONIES THIS AFTERNOON
By o'clock many persons sought points from
which they could view the ceremonies in mdair.
Many field glasses and telescopes were leveled to
the top Of the monument
Promptly on time, notwithstanding the dizzling
rain, those who were to take part In the
aerial ceremonies made their appearance upon
the topmost platform at the heighto Of the capstone
charge; Capt. Davis and Mr.. Bernard r.. Green, his
assistants; Mr.. Mclaughlin, the master mechanic
the monument; Dennis oLeary the hA1 principal
mason, and the colored man O'Bren, who has
mixed all the mortar used in setting the stones
On the platform directly below were Mr. T. L. Har-
vey, secretary OF the joint monument commission;
j. B. Dutton, chief clerk; Mr.. Frebus, craftsman
and Mr.. g. NJ. Thomas, of Col Casey's office; work.
men who had been employed on the monument
and representatives OF the press Each of those on
the capstone platform spread some mortar upon
TO handle the trowel The capstone was then low
cred into position, fitting like glove. The copper
oa to Mcn Is 10 Gonnect IL WIN the elevator frame
stone from below, and the aluminium tip was at
once secured upon 1t. At this moment Col. Casey
pulled rope which
UNFURLED THE AMERICAN FLAG
1t was impossible to float the flag, as was in
tended, from the top OF the flag staff which had
been erected for the purpose, on account OF the
very high wind. 1t was run up to the top of the
scaffolding above the capstone where 1t served as
signal to announce the successful setting Of the
capstone. When the flag was displayed salute of
tWenty-one guns was fired by Major Hanneman'S
artillery, stationed in the White lot.
The Washington Monument society was repre-
Hon. Horauo King, DR.. Daniel B. Clarke and DR.. j.
NJ. Toner.
Nearly all the invited guests remained at the
5O0-1oot scafoding, being prevented from going
higher by the strong wind.
WORK STILL TO BE DONE
Although the Obesk is now completed, there Is
much work still to be done. Probably the most i'm
portant matter remaining is the design for the base
OF the monument. which has not been selected yet
There Is no haste in this respect but there are
many other things to be attended to at once. All
the ScaffOldlng and rigging about the summit of
the monument are to be removed, and great deal
OF finishing work is to be done in the interior OF the
shaft. The stairway is to be much improved, and
to prevent moisture from collecting in the seams Of
the interior Stones the walls to be covered with
Portland cement The memorial stones will, of
course, not be cemented and their faces will remain
untouched. There are great many memorial stones
yet to be SET but care will be taken to exclude all
those which convey any personality or advertise
ment, or which are, in any respect, undesirable in
size, shape or design. When memorial stone is
to be set OF the interior granite stones
will be removed to make place for 1t.
The elevator, which is now nothing more than
plain movable platform, will be soon put in more
suitable form for passenger service. 1t is Colonel
Casey's intention to put railing and comfortable
seats around it.
TO BE OPENED TO THE PUBLIC.
AS soon as this is done he will open the monu-
ment to the public, and visitors will be taken up at
appropriate hours. The elevator weighs three tons
ITSELF and was made fifteen times as strong as was
necessary to hoist the six-ton stones which it has
had to raise to the top OF the monument
A TALK WITH COL. CASEY.
"There are lots OF stones in that monument"
said Colonel Casey, as he approached 1t, accompa-
MED by STAR reporter. "If all the stones in it
were spread upon the ground, they would cover
White lot"
''You have no fear that the structure may take
tumble some time, suppose?" suggested THE STAR
"Not the slightest. The only thing that can ever
move IL Is an earthquake. Such visitor is possi-
break would occur about one-thrd the distance
from the base, which is the weakest point in all
such structures. That is where the new work was
Joined to the old, at q height Of $50 feet. The
foundation OF the monument is as firm could be
possible although there is over $4,000 tons weight
resting upon it."
"The simple manner in which the roof Of the
monument was set was revelation TO the public"
said the reporter ter, DO you know Of any other
mo. Inere may be some, but don't know about
them. The fact is, didn't pay any attention to
enough for me to attend to, and had my own
ideas as to how the roof should be built studied
out what seemed to be the simplest and easiest
method of constructing it, and gave Instructions
accordingly and there 1t is, }" pointing up towards
the sky.
INSCRIPTIONS ON THE ALUMINIUM APEX.
The aluminium tip which forms the extreme
point OF the monument was taken to the monument
to-day by Col. Casey, and was by him screwed upon
the summit OF the capstone. 1t had been engraved
with suitable Inscriptions. On one face was:
"Ch1ef Engineer and Architect Thos. Lincoln
Casey, colonel corps OF engineers; assistants Geo.
w. Davis, 14th U. s. Infantry; Bernard R. Green,
civil engineer; master mechanic, p. H. McLaugh-
lin" On another: cornerstone laid on bed of
foundation July 9TH, 1S48 First stone at height of
152 feet laid August 7th, $780, Capstone set Decem-
Der 9th, 1854" On third: "Joint commission at
setting OF capStone-CheSter A. Arthur, W. w. Cor
coran {chairman), NJ. E. Bell, Edward Clark, John
Newton, act OF August Cd. 1876" And on the last
lace the words: "LauS Deo."
PRECAUTIONS AGAINST LIGHTNING.
The pro jsions made to prevent the shaft from
being damaged by lightning have attracted con-
siderable attention. The question has arisen
whether the lightning rod arrangement, consisting
OF an aluminium tip, connected by a copper rod
with the iron frame work OF the elevator, which
extends to the ground affords sufficient protection
STAR reporter asked Capt. Davis, the assistant
engineer officer Of the monument, In regard to the
matter.
"There need be no apprehension on that score"
was the reply. he fact is, the stone structure Is
In itself satisfactory lightning rod. and the
chances are that there would never be any trouble
II there were no other arrangement for carrying of
electricity. You know yourself that there are
hundreds OF church spires built of stone In Europe
and, indeed, in this country, long before lightning
rods were invented. never yet knew of any ser-
GUS damage resulting to any one Of these stone spires
from being struck by lightning. The interior
lightning rod OF the monument ending in the albu-
minimum tip Is the refore but superf1uous precau-
ton. TO be sure, 1t has never been tested but
there is no need OF that Aluminium Is The best
OF the known metals for conducting electricity and
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