Evening journal., 1890-09-13
ONE GENT.
TO MARK GRANTS GRAVE
Description of the Recently Ac-
cepted Duncan Design.
IT WILL COST HALF OF A MILLION.

cepted Duncan Design.
IT WILL COST HALF OF A MILLION.
But by an Ingenious Arrangement In the
Plan 1t May BE Made to Look Conn
piete for $3.50, ,O0O-The sIausoIenm De-
scribed by Architect John II. Duncan.
NEW YORK, Sept. 13.-The designs for
,he Grant monument submitted to the ex-
scutive committee Of the Grant Monument
association will be on public exhibition at
'he Ortgies art galleries, No. 500 Fifth ave
nue, for a week, beginning today The
following detailed description Of the snc-
,essful design was sent by Mr.. John II.
Duncan TO the executive committee:
Designer Duncan's Description.
As ] conceive it the problem is to produce
an edillce which shall be unmistakably a
monumental tomb from every point Of
view 1t may be seen, while as to its aeces-
sories it shall contain grand memorial
hall and a depressed mortuary chamber
with double sarcophagus, where will re-
pose the mortal remains Of Gen. Grant and
his beloved wife.
In striving to solve this problem have
determined that:
l. There must be an unmistakable ex-
preston OF repose and dignity in the arch
itecture conforming with the character aud
purpose OF the structure.
.. The treatment must be that Of n unit
and not Of a mass composed Of parts.
have kept in mind and provided for certain
portions Of the main structure to be built
from time TO time with the amount Of
money in hand, and provided that such
parts as are finished shall give the appear
ance of a completed structure as tar "A
II is possible
II is absolutely essential In work Of this
character TO avoid all resemblance 10
habitable dwelling, and therefore / have
used the pyramidal form in preference to
the dome, surrounding it with group of
statuary, afterward to be determined on.
In the treatment Of the exterior / have
kept closely TO the general treatment and
general detail of the best Greek architect-
ural precedent.
Grant and His Generals.
The great size Of the memorial hall,
which have designed TO be both impres-
sive, instructive aud useful has led me 70
leave the the Intel construction and adopt
the vault and arch form of Roman work
My main object is 20 present in the present
drawings the form of my proposed man
soleum, aud therefore the equestrian statue
Of Grants generals OF the four principal
armies, on the columns in front. the full
relief panels on the sides for portraits OF
the several major generals acting under
him, the group on top ms we'll as the other
groups and figures indicated are simply
suggestions showing sculpture at points
where the edifce would best receive or re-
quire them
Like Napoleon's Tomb.
While my arrangement of plan recalls
the tomb OF Napoleon in the Hotel des In
valides, so far as the open crypt is con-
cerned, have placed il in an Apse, leaving
the entire portion of the memorial hall
clear for any patriotic or civic gathering,
such as the annual meeting Of the Grand
Army, the Army Of the Tennessee, the
Society of the Cincinnati etc, while at the
end OF the hall ! have constructed ros-
trum for the various dignitaries, from
which a complete view of the large me-
mortal hall may be seen. A vista of the
entire length is also obtained from the en-
trance, terminating in the apse and the
guardian figure over the granite tomb.
Dimensions OF tho aIausuleum.
The general dimension of my main
structure is as follows: A square base, 100
by 100 at the ground line, exclusive of the
steps and the projection of the portico
on front and apse at rear. The total
height OF the mausoleum would be
about 100 feet from the base line. or nearly
800 from the water level Of the Hudson
river. From the center Of the memorial
hall floor 10 dome is 100 feet The outer
gallery will be 100 feet above the ground
line, affording a complete view Of the sur
rounding country for miles. Although
the extreme top OF the mausoleum may be
reached by steps above this gallery it will
not be kept open for the general public
The Crypt.
The crypt | have made the subject OF
particular study. It is the feature Of the
building worthy Of the deepest considera-
tion. For material selected white gran
ite, being the stone least affected by eli
Iaate. The crypt itself is large and roomy.
reached by rear stairways and protected
from intrusion. / have designed places in
the crypt for the display of banners, relics.
personal souvenirs, etc, Of the dead gen
eral president and citizen. Where mosaic
could not be used IN the interior, l should
prefer the cream white Tuckahoe marble,
but Indiana limestone could be substituted.
/ have made made careful studies and sur
veys of the grounds, the promonotory on
which the mausoleum will stand, the
ground set apart for it, and the different
drives and approaches.
All Of these have treated in connection
with my design, as will seen in the section
view, showing the approaches and descent
from the tomb to the river, arch over the
railroad track and a wide plaza on the
river where boats may land. In another
view north and south have sketched this
approach showing the effect of my design
from the river All of this addition would
cost no more than warranted by former
expenditure from the park board, and
would no doubt be gladly acceded 70 BY
them at your request.
Complete Although Unfinished.
Approaching the situation of the COM
mittee, have made a special study OF my
general scheme, with reference to sucl
portion OF the mausoleum proper as could
be built complete in itself for the amount
OF money which the committee have ia
hand
This I have sketched separately and
have obtained estimates which are suf-
fciently approximative to warrant me in
saying il could be built within year or
eighteen months complete for $500 or
$780, 600 This would in no manner inter
fere with the completion Of the general
design and no expense incurred that would
be lost, and it would be a mausoleum COM
plete in itself.
90 szao ooo