Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-06-14
H0NORs TO A SOLDIER.
THE MONUMENT AT GEN. sHERlDAN's
TOMB UNVEILED.

,,.s ,r the Hero of Winchester Join
a., S;,,,,,.. and Impressive Exercixes-An
I,,,,,,.;nr Monolith Faced with . Strik-
ing Medallion.
Washington specially
A w,shin rton special says: One Of the
ro1+ interesting events of Decoration Day
was the unveiling of the imposing monu-
ment that Mrs Sheridan has erected to the
,nemorv of her soldier husband. Four
Thousand people witnessed the ceremonies,
which were all the more impressive he.
c,uSe of their simplicity. There were no
speeches nor poems only music, flowers
and tears. Notable among the vast throng
was the wife and daughter Of President
Harrison. leaning on the venerable DR..
Scott.
As the curtains fell from the lofty gran
ite shaft Mrs. Harrison paid a touching
tribute to the gallant dead by placing with
her own hands beautiful floral offering
Oh Cen Sheridan's grave. Among other
distinguished persons present were Gen.
Schof:eld and staff Attorney General Mil
Ter. and Senator Sawyer.
The Loyal Legion colnmandery of the
District OF Columbia, of which Gen Sher-
dan was menber, was represented by the
con,man Ter, Senator Henderson, the re-
corder, Major w. p. Huxford, T.. s. A.,
and committee. The floral tribute from
the commandery placed on the grave was
in the form OF Gen. Sheridan's battle flag
of crimson immo:telics and white flowers,
with silt staff restins on an easel Of
snii AK and asparagus vines.
When the last strains OF the dirge played
by the Marine band died away a veteran
of the old guard pulled the rope that de-
Tackled the 1astenings and the flags that
covered the monument fell to the ground.
just at that moment the members of the
Woman's Relief corps threw a shower OF
roses upon the grave. This ended the
simple ceremony.
the monument is a plain, broad granite
shaft of sharp and strong outline. upon
tho face of which rests the bronze metal.
lion of Sheridan. The bronze medallion
shows Sheridan in bas-re!lef, framed in q
laurel and palm wreath with the head.
quarters flag for a BACKGROUND. Jus,
enough of the shoulders and chest is
shown to display the Generals uniform and
military decorations of distinction. The
artist has caught che most familiar ex,
preston Of Sheridan's face "a look OF
strength out'sternnes,-and the whole
pose of the head, without seeming con-
strained, is Indicative of the determination
anu TuSSeUueSS winch were SO char.
acteristic of the aggressive soldier The
likeness is excellent and tho design is il
most perfect taste, suited in its strength
and simplicity to the character of the mar
whose life it commentaries.
The flag that forms the background is
gracefully arranged in folds and the effec,
of the curves is heightened by the rigid
flagstaff which diagonally projects at the
top and bottom from beneath the Gra narv
Two corded tassels depend ut the left OF
the fag from the spear-like top of the
staff. The medallion rests against tile
granite shaft about twenty feet from the
ground.
The shaft stands ID feet high and has 6
massive appearance. The base is = feet I
inches broad. The bas-relief is 10 fee,
from the ground The monolith, which il
of polished granite 10 feet inches high
weight Is tons The total weight OF
nonolith and base is % tons.