The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-03-26
THE FACE OF LIBERTY.

Who the Model for the Beautiful Features
That Are Seen Every Day Was.
heard the other day story which
interested me because il had to do with
everyday matters. and came to me from
good authority.
Did you ever think how the head Of
Liberty on the silver dollar in common
use to-day was obtainedo had a sort
Of vague idea that Liberty was caught
on the wing some day and her picture
taken by an instantaneous process: but
it seems that was mistaken. for the
face is that Of an American young lady.
In the early part of the year 1876 the
Treasury department of the United
States secured the services of young
Englishman by the name Of Morgan as
designer and engravcr for the Philadel-
phia mint. and he was set at work to pre-
pare design for the Bland dollar about
to be issued. The eagle was worked
out first. but the figure was afterward
reduced in size and the wings clipped.
the latter giving rise to much adverse
criticism. The great American eagle.
bird of freedom. with his wings clipped.
While engaged in this work Mr.. Nor
gan visited various art institutions To
Obtain. 4 correct idea Of American beau
ty. as ne wished to produce upon the
coin representative female head. lie
tried ideal heads ut first. but the result
was not satisfactory. and he was deter
mined to ind If possible an American
girl who would sit for her portrait. This
| was by no means an easy matter, and it
was not until after macy discourage
ments that he found the face he wanted
| The next thing was to get the consent
Of the young lady. who was a teacher
in public institution in the city. An
artist friend gave the introduction. and
after much persuasion. with great re-
luctance. the young lady consented,
and gave the desired sntings, first ex-
acting promise of entire secrecy: only
her immediate family, Mr.. Morgan and
the artist friend were to know anything
about the matter. The profile was pro-
nounced to be perfect. the nose straight,
lips firm yet delicate. the chin beauti,
fully rounded.
The arrangement of the hair and
Liberty cap We're of course fanciful
and not even intimate friends would
associate the Liberty face on the dollar
with the young teacher without first
having their attention called to the sub
jcct.
All went well with the secret for tw,
years. when at last the reporters. wht
had in some way learned that Phila
delphia young lady had distinguished
herself. ferreted out the whole affair
and the facts were published to thu
worls.. giving name and residence Of tn.
owner of the most perfect profile il
England and America"
Then began series of persecution.
which the unfortunate model endured
for many a day The house was be
sicged by reporters. offers Ut marriaa.
came pouring in by mail. photographer
and artists offered great indncement,
for Il sitting. and her school became al
object of intense interest to visitors
TO modest young lady all this wa
very annoying. to say the least: bn
what could she do: She had no pro
lection from publicity. and was obliget
to bear it as best She could.
That she has character as well AS /
fine profile may be inferred from TIN
fact that popularity does not turn he
head. To-day she holds prominen
position as teacher in normal kinder
garten work in Philadelphia. Will
her picture is carelessly passed from
hand to hand hundreds Of times daily
Wide Awake.