Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-09-19
STATUE OF HEROIC GRANT
Kansas Graceful Tribute in Memory
of the Departed.
A Beautiful Bronze Statue Unveiled at
LeayenWorth.
Hundreds of Citizens Turn Out TO Wit
ness the Ceremonies.

FORT LEAvENwoRTH, Kan, Sept. IA.
The statue of Gen. Grant erected In
honor of the memory of the great general,
was unveiled today. The ceremonies were
impressive and yet lacking that ostenta-
ton which the plain Grant so much dis
liked. Excursions had been made up from
the adjoining states of Missouri and Ne
braska, and the city was taxed to its ut
most In entertaining the thousands of
visitors. The occasion was made hoi-
day In the city of Leavenworth, and as
much holiday at the fort as the disci-
pline of the troops ever allows The
public buildings In that city were suitably
decorated, and from each staff ON the fort
floated the national colors.
At clock In the afternoon the troops
from Fort Leayenworth under command
of Gen. A. D. McCook commanding
officer at the post, were formed to prepare
for the part they were to take in the
ceremonies. They consisted of five COM
panies of infantry, four troops of cavalry,
and battery of light artillery. In the
city one procession was formed at the noon
hour. 1t was made up of five divisions as
follows: First, the home veterans, second
visiting and resident c. A. r. posts and
the sons of veterans; third, the Bandanna
club of Leavenworth, knights Templar
and Knights of Pythias; fourth, the Gar
field Rifles and benevolent societies; fifth,
the mayors of Kansas City, Leavenworth
and several mayors from Kansas, and the
respective city councils and the employees
Of this city.
The line of march was from the corner
of Maine and Shawnee streets to the rail
way station, where ranks were broken and
the special trains entered which were to
carry the people to the fort where the gov
eminent troops were drawn up to receive
them, headed by the Sixth Regiment band.
Led by the United States soldiers, the pro-
cession reformed and marched to the
grounds at the fort, where the monument
stands. There the troops were massed
around the yelled figure. Behind them
were stationed the G. A. R. posts and uni
formed societies, while the remainder Of
multitude took up positions wherever a
point of vantage could be found.
The Rev. E. F. Holland, chaplain of the
department of Kansas, G. A. R., opened
the ceremonies with prayer. Brighten.
Wesley Merritt, q. S. A., commanding the
department of Missouri, reviewed the work
of the monument society, by which the
statue was erected and of which he is presi-
dent and explained how the cost of the
tribute had been betrayed by public sub
scriptions taken in all parts of the country.
Then the Sixth Regiment band, playing
the national air, the general stepped for
ward and unveiled the statue amid the APP
plause of the multitude
As the veil fell to the ground there was
revealed to the spectators statute of Gen.
Grant of imposing design and artistic exc
cution. The statute is bronze military
figure of heroic size, nine feet high, upon
polished granite pedestal of equal height.
The left foot is slightly advanced and the
left hand holds paper of official appear
ance, to which points the right forefnger.
A SLOUGH hat, which all the army veterans
recognized at once as Grants army hat,
covers the head. The figure is draped
in long military coat, the cape
thrown back over the shoulders. The
pedestal of the statute is a monolith, four
feet square and five feet high, the top en-
circled with wreath of bay leaves in re-
lief. On the front is tablet inscribed
with the names of the battles In which
Grant was engaged. The rear of the mon
olith bears equestrian figures of Grant and
his aides-de-camp in relief. The west
side bears an inscription of the names of
the various societies and organizations
which contributed to the expense of the
erection of the statute.
After the statute was unveiled orations
on Gen. Grant were delivered by Senator
Ingalls,, of Kansas; Gen. G. w. Blair, of
Topeka, and the Rev. Henry Swift, chap
lain of the post at Fort Leavenworth.
Maj. VIM Warner, of Kansas City, ex-
commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of
the Republic, was on the programme for a
speech, but private business in Washing
ton prevented his being present. He sent
telegram of regret.