The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-12-17
THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT.
The Passenger Elevator Soon To Be
Colnpleted--Nandal of
Sfght-scers.

The Passenger Elevator Soon To Be
Completed--Vnndal of
sisht-scers.
The passenger elevator of the Wash
ington monument is in position, and
will be completed and il readiness to
carry passengers to the five hundred
foot level, when congress shall author
ize such use to be made of it, 1t will
be some time yet before the monument
is entirely completed for it is necessa-
ry to impryoe the present somewhat
unsightly surroundings by forming a
mound about the base. which will af-
ford gradual, though irregular as
cent to tho floor of the monument.
This work can not be commenced for
month yet, as it contemplates the fill
ing of Babcock lake, and this is not to
be done until after the fish are all re-
moved. Preliminary steps are being
taken, however, and nearly all the
frame buildings surrounding the mon
ument which were sold the other day.
are now being removed. All the re-
naming hosting apparatus, tools, ma
terials, ETC., We're also disposed of at
the sale, SO that there may be clear
field for entering at once upon the
proposed work when the proper time
arrives. In the meantime the monu-
ment is still open to the public. who
are still perm tied to work their pas
sage to the top afoot, and they will
probably be accorded the privilege un-
til congress makes some provision for
running the elevator for their conyen-
fence. There is watchman at the
monument day and night. Three men
compose the regular watch force, and
each one is on duty eight consecutive
hours. In addition. II man, as stated,
is stationed at the five hundred-foot lev
el during :he day, when visitors are ad-
mitted. Notwithstanding all the pre-
cautious that are taken, the monument
has not escaped the vandalism of the
sight-secr. Names have been scribled
on the walls, and the memorial stones
have been smoked by candles held too
close and have been ruthlesslt clipped
by relic-hnnters.
Since the 1st of April, when the iron
stairway that ascends the shaft was
completed and visitors admitted. 10. 500
passes have been issued to applicants.
OF these only two hundred were not
used and therefore did not find their
way back to the monument Office show
ing that visitors very generally avail
ed themselves of the opportunity to
make close inspection of the monu-
ment, even if they did not tramp tc
the tive-hundrcd foot level. The ascent
of the monument is quite an under
taking, and many visitors who have
gone to the trouble to secure passes ;trc
content to examine it from the ground
after a glance up the dark shaft brings
n realization of the task before them.
1t takes, generally, about an hour fol
persons who are not in a hurry tt
make the round trip. This gives
twenty or twenty-five minutes for the
ascent, ample time to enjoy the
magnificent view from the windows a
the 800 foot level. and twenty minutes
to decend. During the past sever
months the monument has been visitet
by people of every nationality Whcr
strangers come to Washington the,
feel that they have not done the proper
thing until they have ascended thu
highest structure in the world. Th,
more difficult the task or the NOR
obstacles in their way, the mor'
anxious they are to accomplish it; 81
that very few 90 away without viewin!
Washington from the monumen
windows. The residents of Washing
ton who have made the ascent ar
comparatively few. In almost ever,
instance where they have made ii the.
accompanied some friends on n visit
Upon inquiry it was learned that of TIL
ten thousand odd applicants for passe
not one has made an adverse criticism
upon the structure In nearly ever.
instance they have something to sa
about it. and have been unanimous il
praising its simplicity, grace, an
grandeur Just as it stands. Washing
ton Cor. Louisville CourierJournal.