The morning call., 1892-10-27
STARR KINGS STATUE.
It Is Unveiled in the Golden
Gate Park.
A VERY MEMORABLE CEREMONIAL.
The Great Preacher and Patriot Is
Eloquently Eulogized.
Immense IhroRgs Of Citizens Assemble to
Take Part in the Appropriate
Memorial Exercises.

The monument erected to the memory OF
Thomas Starr King, one of the pioneer
phlanthropists and ministers OF the gospel
in this State, by the men who knew him
and his work during his lifetime was I'M
yelled and dedicated in Golden Gate Park
yesterday.
The statue stands In the sheltered valley
west OF the aviary.
Long before o'clock, when the exercises
were expected to take place. crowds OF peo-
pie thronged about temporary platform
erected in front of the monument, which
was envelOped in large American flag.
1t was significant audience that gathered
around that spot.
Any one at all familiar with Calfornia's
history had only to look around to find in
every direction men whose names form part
of that history. gray-bearded pioneers. who,
in the old days, crossed the ocean or the
plains to found on the Pacific Coast the new
community, which they had afterward the
proud satisfaction to see take Its place
among the foremost in America and in the
world.
1t was proud moment for these veterans
yesterday when they met each other to pay
tribute to the memory of one they all had
known, loved and admired.
William Stetson, over 30 years of age,
had insisted upon being present when his
old friends statue was unveiled, and ac-
compRnied his son, j. b. Stetson, who WAS
the presiding officer of the day AT the park.
NJ. n. Estee was also there and very
much interested listener and spectator He
with Z. b. Pond, the ex-Mayor, h ad front
sea-.
General w. Il. L. Barnes, A. S. HaIlide,
J. r. Robinson. w. w. Stow, n. Nj. Orr.
William Alvord, j. S. Slawson, d. Farquhar-
son, Herman Schussler. Ed l.. Bosqui,
Irving NJ. Scott General John Bidwell.
Joseph Austin and a great many other
equally weI-known men sat around in
groups aud talked about old times while
they were waiting for the first number on
the programme.
But the male pioneers were not alone in
their show of devotion TO the past.
Many white-haired matrons were also
present, ladies who were ardent admirers
Of the man in whose honor the exercises
were being held and whose adviser he had
been during many trying periods.
They did not come alone either, but they
brought their children and grandchildren
along to show them how their pastor of old,
of whom they had so often spoken In their
homes. was being hOnored many years after
his death.
A more fitting day for such an occasion
could not have been found.
The valley Is the most sheltered nook in
times semi-tropical.
In the glorious sunshine OF Yesterday it
looked at its best. especially animated rs ii
was by the presence OF so many people, in
bright colored attire as we'll as enliVened
by the excellent music of the Park band.
The busiest man and the one who de-
serves credit for the excellent manner in
which he managed the affair was Theodore
Reichert, the Surveyor-General who was
master Of ceremonies.
tn his firalaxo off I 6ua hot
everybody was provided with such accom-
mediation as was possible to give under the
circumstances.
a great many of those present preferred
10 lounge about on the grassy slopes. ada
cent 10 the temporary platform, to taking
seats thereon, and as far as general view
of the statue was concerned the loungers
had, perhaps, an advantage over those who
sat on the benches
The music also gained in effect at some
little distance and the coronation march
from The Prophet" heard under the trees.
accompanied by the singing Of the birds,
sounded grandly beautiful.
The statue stands on little eminence at
the eastern extremity of the valley, aud 1t
has a luxuriant background of evergreen
trees and ferns.
There upon lofty pedestal, book In hand,
stands the bronze effigy of one Of the most
patriotic servants Of the Lord.
Looking steadily westward out toward
those who lived in his time passed TO reach
this land Of promise he will stand now for
ages and the rays of the setting suns Of the
days to come will joyously light up that
cOuntenanee so strangely mild and firm, ex-
pressiye of qualities which were chaTac-
teTistc of Thomas Starr King.
lie will live forever in the memory of the
coming generations because bis deeds will
be handed down from mother to child and
his bronze image In tie park viii make the
uniformed wanderer pause to ask, "Who
is hep"
When the eloquent speakers who extoled
the virtues and actions of the great philar-
thropist impressively and feelingly deiv-
cred their orations, the gray heads OF the
old men, who were attentive listeners, were
bowed. and RS picture after picture OF by
gone days was unroled and wildly dis
played tears brought up by emotion gis-
tened in many an eye among these strong
and sturdy pioneers.
1t was a great day in the history OF the
Golden State and one that will be inscribed