The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-02-22
FINEST In THE WORLD
Indlana's Soldiers Monument to b the Nos
Elaborate War Memorial IN Existence.
Arrival of the Architect, Nc. Bruno
Schmit, Direct From Germany-An
Interview With Him Touching
His Previous Work.

Bruno Schmit, the architect of the
soldiers monument, arrived last night at
IL o'clock, and is stopping at the New
Denlson Hotel. Mr.. Schmit ia but thirty
frank and intelligent countenance. He is
about five feet ten in height, wears light
blonde IN ustache, hasa sparkling blue eye,
and in his general appearance greatly re-
sembles Mr.. George Dickson, the theatre
cal manager, with the exception that
he is somewhat taller. Mr.. Schmit
does not speak the English language, and
in conversation with him last night a
SENTINEL reporter was compelled to call to
his assistance an interpreter in the per-
son of Mr.. George F. Gookins. secretary of
the monumet commission, who had met
Mr.. Schmit at the depot.
81 left Berlin twelve days ago, and have
been travelling continuously" said Mr..
Schmit.
"0f wtst character has your work been
in Europe?" was asked.
81 am what might be called a general ar
chitect," Mr.. Schmit replied. 81 have
been very fortunate in the acceptance of
my designs for buildings of great promi.
nence, was the architect of the National
Monument of Italy, which cost twenty
Elk million francs, or about six
millions of dollars. l also built
the National Museum of Austria, and
a music hall of magnificent proportions at
Zurich, Switzerland, is one of the most
prominent OF nay works. l was also the
successful architect of the Nationl building
of the Interior Department at Dresden,
Germany. / did not personally supervise
the ere ction of this structure bat the 9TH
srs were all built under my direct iastruc.
tons. Ny work has not been confined to
these large structures. have built many
residences and smaller buildings through
out Germany"
"HoW long do you think you will be de.
tanned in this country?'
''I hardly know that. 1t will bs several
months, however. The perspective draw
ings of The monument viii eli have to be
drawn of, and also the specifications will
require good deal of attention aud ex pla.
nation"
How viii this monument compare with
similar structures throughout the world?"
las to that, there will be no war
monument IN the world that can
compare with it. do not
think it will have an equal. There sre no
great monuments in the world of this de-
sign. All of the monuments that have
been erected heretofore have a round col.
umR. This design was the first that |
| have ever submitted with sq1are column.
| The idea is an original one. L can hardly
| think now how the thought came TO me 70
submit design with square column.
have often congratulated myself since
| that it was a lucky thought. Up to this
time monuments with square columns have
| been foreign to eli Architectural rules.
was informed by the Commission that tb,
acceptance of my design was due solely I,
this UNIQUE feature. 1t will be gran,
| 8 r1cture."
For what special accomplishment d..
| you receive your Prussian medal, that
| so much talked Off"
81 received the medal from the JubilF
| Exposition that was held in Berlin, &c
/ n any, in 1856. IL was the highest priz
/ offered in a competitive examinatic
| of all the architects in German
| for the best architectural design. 1 all
! possess a Dutch medal, from the A
Building, of Amsterdam, Holland. t.
Italian Government also gave me a media
| for the erection of their National monU
/ ment.
Mr.. Schmit will make the acquaintanc
/ Of the commission to-day, and will begiI
active work at once. He will probably
remain at the New-Denison Hotel during
his stay in the city, which will be three or
four months.