The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1885-09-03
THE BARrHoLDI STATUE.
Fair Frances Groat Statue-Its History
Other Statues.
TIE STATUES HISTORY.

TIE STATUES HISTORY.
The history of tho great undertaking
which will give New York Harbor the
largest statue in the world bcnins near
~ ten years ago, when the first stops
were taken IN tho matter by body of
distinguished Frenchmcn, enthusiastic
lovcrs(of liberty, whom its originator
and<:sGeator then Interested in his no.
bic conception 'rhese gentlemen form
cd themselves into a society called tho
Union Franco Amorcaine dc Franco,
and held Il banquet Nov. 6, 1875, to in
auguratc the project. NJ. Bartholdi's
design was enthusiastically approved,
and subscription for the erection of
the statue begun. The City of Paris
subscribed $4,000, and in five years
Franco had subscribed, chiefly in small
sums, the $25O,000 necessary for this
purpose. Another banquet was then
held in tho French Capital, at which
an q Ircss to tho peoplo of the United
States was adopted, recalling tho al
lance OF France with this Nation in
the cause of liberty during the Rovo-
lutonnry War, and embodying scnti-
ments expressive of their nearly ac-
cord in the maintenance of democratic
principles OF government Work on
viz SoAooodl SVtINC WIS pIOHlDIlV pc-
gun under the superintendent of its
designer, who has witnessed it's COM
pletion. The United States Minister
to France at that time, Mr.. Morton,
drove the first spike, Oct "a, 1881, rivet-
inr ;he first OF the bolts which were to
JON the statue to the pedestal. Only
the right ann, head, and shoulders
were at that time ready, but all the
plaster casts Werc completed, and
steady work was being donc with tho
brou2e of which the statue is made.
The hand and wrist holding the torch
had already arrived in America in time
to be exhibited at tho Centennial Ex-
hibition, and were afterward tempor-
arily placed in Madison Square, New
York. .......
Meanwhile on this side of tho Allan
tic measures Of cooperation with tho
generous French nation were taken.
Jan. 2, 1877, q meeting of citizons of
Now York was held for the purpose of
presenting the undertaking to the
american people, to promote tho leg
lsiation necessary for the reception and
inauguration OF the statue, and to Gre
ate financial means for erecting Il suit
able foundation and pedestal. Con-
gross passed. II resolution providing for
the erection of the statue on Bedloo's
Island, Now York Harbor, and for its
maintenance in good order. More
over, its formal reception by the Prcsi-
dent OF tho United States on behalf of
the government was secured, and Pres
ldent Grant thanked tho French peo-
pie Tor the gift by autograph lottor.
An address to tho people of this coun-
try asking subscriptions was written
and circulated, but funds havo come
III with provoking slowness, and the
statue has seen dark days whom its fate
tromblcd in tho balance.
.- IT'S SITE.
Snringing up from the waters of
New York Bay, near the center of the
harbor and commanding an unob-
structcd view out through the Narrows
to the ocean, Bcdloe's Island is an es-
pccially favorable site for the erection
OF bcacon-light that shall at once
guido tho mariner 10 q safe haven and
symbolic to the emigrant when he first
E. reaches our shores tho idea of liberty
which has been SO largely instrumental
in bringing him hithCr. Tho island it.
self is much larger than appears either
from the New York shore or from the
photographic pictures Of statue and is
land which have rccontly been scatter
cd over the country. 1t has an area
or tour Or five acres, and will doubtless
be delightful breathirG- for the
CITY resident, and a Mecca 10 tho won
der-hunting country visitor, when itI
mas received tho last beautifyinr touches
OF tho Pedestal Committee and return
ed to the Government.
The foundation on which thc nodos-
tai is to rest is a vast mass of orovoI
and sand, and lime, ninetv.onc foof
Square at tho base, sjxty-sCren foot
5 square at tho top, and lfftv-two foot
ten inches in height. 1t rests on 81 heJ
OF gravel some twenty feet below tho
surface. This hugo mass Of what is
for all practical purposes II solid block
OF granite represents tho actual work.
outside Of plans and designs, which
has thus far boon donc for. tho recon-
tion of tho statue. Upon this will bo
built tho granite pedestal, III feet
high, and twonty feet square at tho
top. The facing OF tho pedestal Is OF
Leetes Island (Conn.) granite, which
ls rich purple in color and OF great en-
durance. The statue will be anchored
TO This pedestal by. heavy iron rods
passing from each corner OF tho statue
through the pedestal to its base. Tho
statue itself Is l6l feot high, made of
oopperand iron, aud weighs nearly 200
tons. An elevator and q stairway will
ascend from the base OF tho PEDESTAL