The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-10-08
H0NORS TO A PIONEER
The Monument to Edward G. Sumner.

On last Tuesday there was completed, near
Earl Park, what is known to be the finest private
or public monument in the State of Indiana.
erected by the heirs of the late Edward G.. Sum
ner, to his memory. The monument is made of
gray granite, is nearly thirty-ive feet high, and
consists of a granite base ten feet square and
five feet in height, on the upper edge of which
lay severa! sheaves of wheat. The first section
of the shaft above bears the name of Sumner,
standing out in plain raised and polished letters.
The section above this has a life-like medallion
of Mrs. Abigail c. Sumner, widow of the de-
ceased, and above it is a monogram, with q pol
ished surface, emblazoning the letters "E. 9. s."
On this stone is a cornice formed with ripened
ears of corn, as a glowing symbol of a lifes har-
vest. Surmounting this is a full-length statue,
of heroic size, bearing a perfect likeness in face
and form of the departed pioneer of Benton
county, so striking in its resemblance as to be a
matter Of generalization with all his former
friends. The grave, a few feet distant,
with polished surface, inscribed, Edward
c. Sumner, born Jan. 81, 1871, died Aug. 2,
1882" The burial plot, some fifty feet square,
is inclosed with a coping of granite, polished
and top, its entrance with three
steps, one of which bears the name Sumner,
being on the south side and Immediately oppo-
site tbs main face of the monument These
steps are sided with ornamental posts of carved
ana pOllSnou granite. Inc site OF the Sepulture
was chosen by Mr.. Sumner some years ago, and
is on the summit of a gentle elevation from
which the towering monument is in easy view
from the town of Earl Park, a half mile distant,
and visibls from the courthouse at Fowler,
seven miles away. From here the spectator OBJ
tains one of the grandest views of the rolling
prairie for miles and miles away. To the south
and four miles distant, is the beautiful and
massive residence of Mrs. James Hawkins,
daughter of the deceased, and to the west, five
miles distant, the Sumner mansion, in the edge
of Sugar Grove, is discerned. Mr.. Sumner loca-
ted in Benton county fifty years ago, when its
now fertile pralrles were a trackless
waste. He struggled manfully as a
farmer and cattle grower in its pioneer
days. and at death had accumulated an estate of
2S, 600 acres in one tract, a body of land ten
miles long and nearly four and a half miles
wide. His herds of cattle would frequently
number as high as four thousand head. Farm
ing was conducted on the same magniied scale,
and he was the careful, active overseer of all.
His wise foresight left but little difficulty in the
division of his vast property, which was ac-
complished with the expenditure of but twenty
dollars in the courts. The monument was de-
signed and erected by A. A. McKain, of Indian
apolis, and as a work of art and magnificent con-
struction will endure for the admiration of many
generations to ome.-Lafayette Sunday Times,
Oct ).
Mr.. MCKain, of this city, who designed and
erected the monument described above, is justly
proud of his work, and is to be congratulated on
its successful completion. AS a citizen of
Indianapolis he deserves encouragement and an
increase of his already large business.