Omaha daily bee., 1895-12-08
MEMORIAL MONUMENT PLANS
Discussed at Grand Army Meeting Last
Evening.
DECIDED TO PUSH THE ENTERPRISE
Design AbOut Agreed On and JefYer-
son Square Favored as a Site
Schemes for Raising
the Money.
DECIDED TO PUSH THE ENTERPRISE

1--WE want memorial monument in this
city that will net only be token of respect
to cur dead comrades, but one which shall
also reflect and perpetuate the history of
their noble deeds on bronze and marble. A
chapter in the history of the soldery of Ne
braska, written upon indestructible material,
which shall not only be an ornament to JET
ferson square, but a souvenir for all time to
come to those who look back over the sands
Of time and give a passing thought to the
moldering heroes" said Chairman b. r. Ball
in his opening address to the members of
George A. Custer post last night, The meet
ing had been called by the Douglas County
Veterans association for the purpose of dis
cusslng means and ways for the erection of
a memorial to be placed in some prominent
point in the city.
Mr.. Ball stated that a committee appointed
for the purpose had about settled upon JEFF
ferson square fer location for the monu-
ment, and he considered the selection a good
one. This small city park, the only one any
where near the center of Omaha, was at the
present time devoid Of ornament of any de-
scrlption. He had Travelled through many
portions of the east. and had seldom en-
countersd any city of over 10000 inhabitants
but had made some attempt at public decora-
tons in the way of statues and. tablets
Omaha had none, memorial artistic or other
wise. Mr.. BAN thought It due to the enter
prise OF the western metropolis that some
effort should now be made in this direction.
\ handsome monument erected upon the
square would give m; tropolltan finish to the
city that large number of buildings costing
vast sum Of MONEY would fail to do. Mr..
BAH then briefly stated that the present
meeting was for the purpose OF organizing
and asked for suggestions on the subject.
Mr., Feenan followed up the subject by
ssying that In all of the eastern states. not
ably Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio and In
diana, each county had erected a monument
passed empowering each county 10 levy
special tax with this object in view. II had
resulted in many instances in some mag
nihcent memorials, and the assessment had
been so triiing that the expense to the in
llv.dual was unnoticeable. He thought In
the local campaign for funds that the mem
bers Of the Grand Army of the Republic
should start the ball rollng by private sub
scriptlons. and whsn the Objeci in view had |
substantial foundation 1t would be an easy
natter to interest city corporations. and pos-
s,bly get an appropriation from the county
nd state suggestion was also made by !
Mr.. Feehan that the ladies of the relief |
,orps conduct bazaar. or series OF enter |
anmants. TO help cut the fund.
W. A. Askwith stated that he had recsived |
number CT designs for monuments from |
eastern hrms, and found that a very cred |
able one could be erected for 10000. al |
,ost SHOULD b. twice that figure. One Arm /
,ad just compieted a monument In Sioux |
lity alta cost vi tribe over s. 900. and the 1
iesign OF the same submitted showed a