Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1893-09-16
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UNION PACIFIC TIME TABLE.

seen some tired foot-sore soldier being
helped along by his comrade. Others
may be seen laughing and joking; one
fellow in particulars seems to be telling
about that top rail he used last night.
Well, We might go through a whole
story in this way. The navy is repre-
sented by sailors in row boats.
Half mile directly north of the mon
ument stands the White house, on the
east side of which stands the United
States treasury. On the west side is the
state, war and navy building, the finest
building in Washington, the capitol ex-
cepted.
About three miles northwest are the
new naval observatory buildings. If it
is clear day the Blue Ridge may be
seen, Sugar Loaf mountain is especially
noticeable, looking like gigantic ant
heap more than any thing else.
At the foot of the monument west, are
the fsh-breeding ponds. Looking on
across the river is Arlington. Any one
with good field glass, can see General
Sheridan's monument in front of the
mansion.
The view from the south window
might be called marine view, from the
fact that the Potomac river can be seen
for twelve or fifteen miles. Six miles
down one can make out Alexandria. The
boats coming two and fro look like little
toys. so far down are they. Off in Vir-
ginia to the west OF Alexandria, the
steeple of Fairfax court house looms up,
landmark for miles around.
An average of 900 visitors day visit
the monument the year round. Many
people after taking the trouble to climb
the hill to the entrance are afraid to go
upin the elevator. They generally say:
81 don't believe I'll go up; 1 feel safer
on the ground" Then, some people
cannot ride down in the elevator on ac-
count of a peculiar sensation; feeling
that their boots are coming up through
their throat. A wild desire to do some
thing for the good of the country sud-
denly becomes manifest. But after they
are well down they become used to it.
Quite often the top of the monument
is above the clouds, and during storms
has more than once been struck by light
ming, the aluminium tip acting as light
ming rod. This tip is connected with
the ground by rods.
An accident worth telling in connec-
ton with the monument happened two
years ago. It was at The Marine band
concert in the White house grounds. The
band was playing the Star Spangled Ban
ner just as the setting sun threw its rays
on the monument. Those who saw the
sight will never forget it. The top of
the tall white shaft was tinged to
blood red by the suns last rays; about
half way down the color was white, not
being touched by sunlight, yet made clear
by the reflection of the clouds. Two
thirds of the way down the monument
had changed to beautiful blue. As
ong as the band played the anthem
hat made Francis Keys name famous.
he monument stood like gigantic en-
Dlem of the nations colors, the red,
white and blue. AS the last note quiv-
cred on the summer air the beautiful
light vanished with the fading light.
Many comments ON this coincidence
we're in the papers next day.
There are people who have lived here
Ill their lives, yet have never been up in
he monument.
The corner stone was laid by James K.
Polk, July 4th, 1S4S. The cap stone was
et in position on the 9th day of Deem
yer, 1884. For a number of years it
TODD incomplete. The base is 65 feet
n inches square, and the wall Is feet
nd d of an inch thick. At the 500 foot
ozark the walls are 18inches thick. The
Teight of the monument is estimated To
e about 81 900 tons. The door orioi-
ally was 8 feet wide and 16 feet hioh.
ut was narrowed down to feet bv8
eet. The monument will last for cen-
aries to come if it lasts through the
emocratic administration.
Auw<rv,u po--