Daily Yellowstone journal., 1886-11-06
A HAUNTED GODDESS.
Perilous Work Of the Men Who Paint
the Great washi n gton Dome.

the Great Washington Dome.
There is said to be a superstition at
tached to the Goddess OF Liberty that
stands silently in the dome OF the capi-
tol. Though it is not widespread il Is
said to be deeply rooted in some minds.
Had congress decided to gild the god
dess it would perhaps have been found
difficult to get any one to undertake the
task. II ia well known that when the
dome was thoroughly painted several
years ago the painter who worked about
the goddess lost his reason, declaring
that she had life, and was possessed OF
the spirit of the Virgin. At a certain
hour in the morning, very near the mo-
ment Of sunrise, there is one point in the
head-dress Of the statue that reflects
back the light, appearing as star. 1t
is only for short time that it can be
seen. Every morning this insnared
painter would kneel in front OF the
capitol and worship the star-crowned
goddess as long as the star was visible.
Others are said to have come under the
influence Of this bronzed goddess. and
have imagined that she exercised some
mysterious power over them. Some
imagine, it is said, that should they look
too often at the star that shines on her
forehead at morn they might suffer the
fate of the poor painter.
Aside from any ignornant superstition,
the man must have considerable courage
who clings to the feet of the goddess.
They might anger the dame, or lose their
foothold and be hurled into eternity. 1t
has been suggested to the superstitious
mind that the man who was found
crushed on the roof of the capitol was
trying to WOO the goddess, who in her
anger cast him down. Why should she
not be another Aphrodite?
At all events the goddess, or perhaps
it is the great height, is apt to turn the
head of man who climbs up there. 1t
is very dangerous undertaking. and
few men have the nerve to attempt it.
But the dome has to be painted, and
there are thirty painters constantly en-
ployed to climb about all over the dome
and roof of the building to renew the
paint where it is cracked and to clean
away the rust. Two or three of these
men venture to kneel at the feet of the
goddess. Since she is not to be dressed
in gold they will not have to venture
farther than to her feet. To render this
undertaking less dangerous they have
bound strong cables tight about her an
kles, and they will probably climb up
with safety if she doesn't get angry and
cast off the cords. From these cables
strong scaffolding is being fastened to
the white pillars just beneath her feet,
which it is the purpose to paint. The
dome and all below the goddess will be
gone over here and there with the
brush.
1t takes about $50 men, constantly
employed, to carry on the repairs and
Improvements to the capitol building
and grounds. A hundred of these are
now being employed on the new ter.
races. On account Of the long session
Of congress the working season will b
very short. 1t is expected, however, Il
complete the marble terrace on each
side as far as the beginning of the grand
staircase. The work will then have to
be postponed on account of the session
of congress. 1t is expected that about
three years will be required to complete
the whole thing. Washington Star.