The Rugby gazette and east Tennessee news. (Rugby, Morgan Co., Tenn.) 1884-188?, 1885-08-22
A NATIVE OBELlSK.
The Granite Shaft to the Memory of Ell.
Governor Washbnrn, of wisconsin.

The Granite Shaft to the Memory of EN-.
Governor Washburn, of Wisconsin,.
At first the huge shaft was to be seen
lying upon one side, directly beneath
the derrick, where it had been edged
along, preparatory to the final hoist.
In length it measured forty-on feet
its breadth and thickness being about
four and half feet, and weighing
sixtytve tons. Several quarrymen were
busily engaged blocking and fitting the
great chains around the monster, near
one end. A twelve fold purchase, COM
posed of bright, new manila rope, six
inches in circumference, had been rove,
the blocks aloft containing twelve
sheaves, and those below, five in num-
Der, containing two each. One end of
the fall YVES attached to powerful
double engine, while the other end, in
stead of being made fast, was led sew
eral hundred feet to the top of another
derrick, and down through leaders
to another engine. At just ten O'Clock
the order Was given to start ahead easy.
and the dozen or more men below
scrabblcd to places of safety. For q
moment the putting of engines and the
swapping and cracking of the blocking
inside OF the great chain strap was all
that could be heard. Presently move.
mcnt was discelnible. Onward and up.
ward it came. Tic Chain slipped.
Every one started. Was it to be fail.
urep No! On it continued with re-
newal of speed. In just thirteen min.
utes it was standing on end in the pit lie.
low. Then it was discovered that twis,
was forming itself among the many
parts OF the fall. Nearly half hour
was occup ed in rearranging it. The
final lift was then made, and many an
anxious eye was turned toward the ris
ing obelisk Rapidly it arose. and a,
the expiration of six minutes the hee
of the great stone slid over the brink
and on the earth as the great derrick
swayed inboard. A rope was thcr
fastened to the top of the stone, as il
stood there towering above everything
excepting the derrick; six yokes of oxer
were then attached, and as the engine:
lowered away the strain brought t.
bear By the horned animals caused it tt
ease down from the pit, which worl
was soon and effectually completed
amid cheers from the bystapdcrs. Thu
huge piece of granite is to be cut into
shaft for the monument to Ex-Governor
G. c. Washburn, of Wisconsin, ant
will be set up in the cemetery where h,
sleeps at La Crosse. The bases an(
die for this great monument are nearl,
completed, the latter being beautifully
polished and lettered, with Egyptian
carved trimmings. The top base also
has like trimming and bears the wore
"Washburn" in large raised letters
When finished and set it will stanc
forly-nine feet three inches from tn
ground, and will cost about $15, 200
The ground over which this heav,
weight is to be conveyed at the plac,
of its destination is so soft that car
has been constructed at the quarry witt
wide wheels to prevent their sinking
There are six wheels in number, who's
diameter is three feet, and across tn,
face they measure two feet, bound will
three tires, each six inches in width. =
Providence Journal.