Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1884-12-08
WASHINGTON'S SHAFT.
THE cAPsToNE IN ITS PLACE.
The Highest Monument in the World
Completed After Thirty-Six Years
Effort-A Description.

WAsafs0ros, Dec THE eapstone of the
Washington monument was lowered into
place shortly after p. N. yesterday, by Col.
Casey. engineer In charge, and his assist
ants. As soon a. the capstone was set the
American dag was unfurled over the bead
and a salute of twenty -one guns was fired by
a battery in the White House lot Cheers
also came up family from the crowd OF spec
tat0rs around the base while number Of IN
yited guests on the fifty-foot platform spon-
taneously struck up the star Spangled Ban
ner." The Washington Monument Society
represented by DIR. NJ. Toner, III. King, Gen.
w. NJ. Dunn, DIR. b. Clark and L. ). Har-
vey, secretary, held meeting on this plat
form and when the artillery firing announced
the setting OF the capstone, In behalf of the
society, Gen. Dunn congratulated the Amer
lean people on the completion of this endur-
ing monument of the nations gratitude 10
the father of this country.
Among those present at the completion OF
the structure was one of the master mechan-
les who laid the corner stone, more than
thlrty-Six years ago, and the old watchman
OF the monument, who has been continuous
Ii employed in that capacity during the
whole intervening period. The flag on the
monument iOated from flagstaff which IL
exactly 600 feet from the ground, thus dis
playing the Amer can colors at the greatest
height construction has ever yet known IN
the world.
The monument stands on the spot that
Washington selected for the statue which
Congress had voted him and which IL never
caused TO be erected.
The construction of the monument was at
first voluntary affair, undertaken by the
Washington Monument society, organized
in 1895, which raised $4,000. The design
of Robert Mills was for shaft six hundred
feet high. The corner stone was laid July 4,
1S4S by Robert G.. Winthrop, speaker of the
house Of representatives, and work went on
for about five years, when the society had
exhausted its funds and could not realize
any more. The monument was thee ia feet
high. Under the influence of the centennial.
Cong e5s, III 1876, appropriated 100000 10
continue the erection of the monument.
The foundations were deemed insufficient,
and new foundations were put un-
der the monument the work being
completed in May, 1880. The monument is
fifty-fve feet square at the base, and the apex
Is 500 feet above the foundation. The entire
exterior Is Maryland marble, and the interior
IL granite. The walls are fifteen feet thick
at the base and about two feet at the top. At
different times since the resumption of the
work Congress has appropriated $JOOOOO for
the completion of the shaft. Mr.. Winthrop,
who laid the cornerstone, is still alive, and
if nothing happens to him he will deliver the
Grafton IN the House of Representatives the
I'D of February next to commemorate its
completion.
In order that the public may enjoy the
magnificent view from near the summit of
the monument eight windows or port holes
were left. two ON each side of the monument,
about four feet above the five hundred foot
level. When these windows are open the
appearance of the monument Is smarred by
two black holes on each side. To obviate
this blemish on the milk-white surface, and
also for the purpose of protecting the monu-
ment from the weather, marble shutters
about two inches thick and weighing l4O
pounds will be constructed to fit exactly these
port holes. These can be opened during Wis
itors' hours snd closed at all other times.