Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-06-04
GRANTS M0NU MENT
UNVEILED AT Els OLD HONE At GLLgNA,
ILLINOIS.
A Great Demonstration Made in Honor Of the 0cca-
sion-Hon. Chauncey N. DepswS Tribute to the
Dead Soldler-An Eloquent Grafton on
Grants Garser-Ths Services.

GALENA, ILL, June 3.-The Grant
monument was unveiled to-day with
all the pomp and ceremony betting the
occasion.
An immense throng OF people wit
messed the demonstrations in honor of
the dead hero, business was suspended
and public and private dwellings were
handsomely decorated.
The monument unveiled to-day is the
gift OF II. Ii. KohlSaat, a former Galena
boy and now one of the millionaire clti-
zens of Chicago. A year ago he intimat-
ed TO some of his friends his desire that
the city of Galena should be graccd by a
statue of THE Old Commander" who,
with his family, had resided there dur
ing one of the most important periods
Of his life. The matter was formally pre-
sented to the City Council and the citi-
zens of Galena by Mr.. Kohlsaat and
Mr.. James w. Scott, Of Chicago, but
formerly resident Of Galena. No ap-
propriate site for the monument, how
ever, could be found until Mr. Scott
initiated a movement by which an eie-
waited plot of ground on the east side
of the city, 40 feet above the river, and
covering six acres, was ordered pur-
chased, and to be dedicated TO the city
for park purposes. A portion Of the
purchase was contributed by the City
Council, second sum was raised by the
citizens of Galena, and the balance was
secured in Chicago through the efforts
of Mr.. Scott. The enclosure was named
Grant Park, and already contains a
magnificent soldiers monument and
| k,, ha nf
city.
The bronze statue dedicated to-day
stands on a solid base formed OF three
tiers of Quincy grey granite. with a
pedestal of beautifully carved and pol
ished red granite from the quaries OF
Maine. On the front surface is the
simple inscription in plain, large letters,
Grant, our Citizen" The statute is
heroic in size and represents Gen. Grant
in citizens dress, standing as If in re-
Election. The likeness is excellent, and
the portrayal Of the subtle Individual
ty of the man is admirable.
About noon special trains brought In
large number of distinguished guests.
Among them were Hon. Chauncey Nj.
Depew, of New York, the orator OF the
day; Ex-Governor and Mrs. Hoard, OF
Wisconsin; H. II. Kohlsaat, the donor
of the monument: State officials, Con-
gressmen and others, and the famous
band from Fort Sheridan.
Soon after the arrival of the distn-
gushed visitors the parade started from
the De Soto House corner, over 3,OOO
Grand Army veterans, the visiting mill
tary. civic organizations and long ar
ray of citizens participating. On reach
ing the park the throng gathered itself
around the monument and the orator
and other guests took their places upon
the platform.
The exercises commenced with "Ihc
Star Spangled Banner rendered by
the Fifteenth United States Regiment
Band, and then a fervent Invocation
was pronounced by Rev. w. ID. Atchl-
son, of this city, chaplain Of the day.
When he had concluded the united
bands struck up Hail TO the CHIEF,
and, amidst scene OF inSDring enthu-
siasm, little Miss Pauline KOhsaat, OF
Chicago, daughter Of the donor gave
strong tug at the silken cord, and the
black shroud in which the monument
had been enveloped fell apart, revealing
the work Of art in all its beauty. The
vast gathering gazed upon the life-like
features Of the dead soldier and Presi-
dent for a moment as if spell-bound,
and then, led by the old veterans OF the
Ninety-sixth Illinois, three hearty cheers
and tiger were given for MIR. kohlsaat
Ex-Governor Hoard, Of Wisconsin,
was introduced by L. II. McClcnnan,
Chairman Of the Board OF Park Commis-
soners, and in behalf OF Mr.. kohlSaat
formally presented the statue 10 the
City of Galena.
a brief address Of acceptance on be-
half of the city was made by Mr. Nc
Clennan, and after the band had render
ed America" Mr.. ChaUncey Depew
was introduced and enthusiastically
greeted. His Grafton was mastery
effort, even for so great an orator.
Among other things be said;
Grants career will be the paradox OF
history. Parallels cannot be drawn for
him with the great captains of the
world Historians, by common consent,
placed Alexander the Great, Hannibal,
julius Cesar and Napoleon Bonaparte
in the front rank. But each Of them
had learned the art OF war Oy continued
service and unequaled opportunities
and displayed the most brilliant quail
ties at every period Of their achieve
ments. Hannibal and Caesar had won
universal fame in their thirties. Alex
ander died at 33, grieying because he
had no more worlds 20 conquer, and
Napoleon, at 81, was master OF
Europe. But Grant, at 40, was
an obscure leather merchant
in Galena. As cadet at
West Point he had risen only just above
the middle OF his class. As subaltern
on the frontier and n Mexico he had
done no more than perform his duty
with the courage and capacity OF the
average West Pointer. He had pur-
sued agriculture with his customary
conscientious care and industry. He
was not afraid TO do the work Of the
farm himself nor ashamed 10 ride into
St. Louis upon the load Of wood on
which he was to SELL or to pile it up for
his customer, and yet any farmer in
Missouri was more successful. Clients
failed 10 retain him as surveyor, his
real estate Office had to be closed, and
be was not q factor in the tanners firm.
But the moment that the greatest