The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1891-06-05
IN MEMORY OF GRANT.
The dwelling Of the KOhlsaat
Monument at Galena Ac-
cOmplished.
Governor Hoard, Of Wisconsin,
Makes the Presentation
Speech.
An Grafton by Chauncey n. Depew.
Gen. Miles Present-The Mon
ument Described.

GALENA, Ills, June 3.-Galena is In
gala array. Notable men from all parts
of the country throng the streets. Sol
diers and statesmen have gathered to do
honor to the hero of Appomattox in the
city that was for many years his home
The unwilling of the Grant monument,
presented to the city by 81. Fl. Kohl
satt, is the occasion of all the display.
Charncey N. Depew arrived at noon in
his special car, accompanied by James
w. Scott, of The Chicago Herald, the
members of the Galena association of
Chicago, Gen. Miles and staff, mill
tary band, and many notables. At the
station. the guests were met by de-
tachment of the state militia, commit
tees of the citizens and local and visit
ing e.. A. r. posts, and escorted to
Grant park, in which the monument
stands.
The dwelling Ceremonies.
The presentation speech was made by
Ex-Governor Hoard, of Wisconsin, on
behalf of his old friend, Ell. FL. Kohlsaat,
the donor. Governor Joseph w. Fifer
accepted the statue in the name of the
people of Galena. After his speech of
acceptance came one of the p!easantest
features of the day. Mr.. Kohlsaat's lit
tie daughter Pauline, little damsel of
8 plump and jolly years, tugged at a
silden cord and-presto, change! there
the statue stood unveiled and every one
wondered and admired, congratulated
Sculptor Gelert and cheered for the
donor. Then came the Grafton of Mr..
Depew, the band playing, etc.. and the
ceremonies were concluded; but the
monument remains, a memorial to one
of Americas greatest men and a remem-
brance of patriotic man.
The Statue Described.
The statue which Mr.. Kohlsaat has
presented to his native town is in bronze
eight feet high and mounted on ped
estal ten feet high. 1t is the work of
John Gelert, of Chicago. The attitude
is striking and characteristic; the low
reliefs illustrate the most noteworthy
scenes in the life of Gen. Grant. One
of these, of course, represents the sur
render Grant and Lee are clasping
hands; Lees face is sad, dignified and
with no hint of bitterness in it. In
Grants face there is no touch of tri-
umph-only the kindly expression of
sympathy and respect. This relief tells
the story of after-war days-old hates
healed and new hearts born.
Mrs. Grant was greatly pleased with
it and reproduction in miniature will
be sent to her.
The base of the pedestal consists Of
three steps of Quincy granite, sur
mounted by two blocks of red Maine
granite, with polished tablet on each
face. On the front surface is an in
scription in plain letters:
Grant. Our Citizen
The monument will stand in Grant
park which has been prepared by the
town of Galena. At the time Mr..
Kohlsaat notified the city council of his
intended gift it was decided to make
ready fitting place for It's reception.
Two blocks of land were purchased in
the center of the city. The buildings
thereon were torn down, and to-day
there is pleasant park of six acres,
prettily laid out. There, facing the
river, the monument stands.
With the consent of the local Grand
Army of the Republic post and of the
city council another excellent plan has
been carried out. This is che removal
of tue Soldiers monument-the monu-
ment built to the -Galena boys who fell
in the war--from the old inconspicuous
site to prominent part of the new
Grant mark