West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1895-06-06
TnE soLpIEns, MoNuMENT.


diers, seems to be in fair way
now for actual and solid reali-
cation. The design has been agreed
upon and was furnished by Fred A.
Lang. OF Clarksburg, who was here
last week in consultation with the
committee. The total height of the
monument will be twenty feet and
the weight forty-five tons. The
base solid block of granite, eight
feet square and two feet and nine
inches thick, weighing 17l tons.
The second block will be six feet
square and two feet and three
inches thick.
The third block, four feet and
six inches square and one foot and
four inches thick.
The fourth, three feet and seven
inches square and five feet high.
The fifth, three feet and five
inches square and two feet thick.
These blocks, or bases, will be
surmounted by statue, represent
ing the common soldier in full uni
form, with knapsack at a carry and
gun at parade rest. Tins statue
will be six feet and one inch in
height, magnificent soldier OF the
Republic, and no more appropriate
design could have been selected to
honor than that representing the
common soldier, who bore the
blunt of the fight and did the act
ual service, while the officers re-
ceIved the credit for the victories
won. The fourth block, or the
main part of the pedestal, being
five feet in height, has all four sides
polished like glass for the purpose
of inscription. The matter to be
inscribed thereon has not vet been
decided upon by the committee in
charge of the matter.
The getting OF the monument
here and placing it in position will
be no small job, and the narrow
gauge could hardly handle it, even
in sections, as the base or larger
block weighs III ton, which is be-
yond the capacity Of any freight or
fiat car on the road, but the rail-
road Will be converted into stand
ard gauge by the time the monu-
ment will arrive. and can be loaded
and brought right through without
having to transfer it anywhere.
Then the big job will be to get it
up from the depot here, but il will
be done in some way.
The trustees for the monument
has leased of the County Court, for
a period of 90 years, (Which means
forever, and day extra for good
measure), a lot forty foot square on
the northeast corner of Court House
Square, fronting Mrs. Kemble's
residence and John II. Browns
store. The monument will be erect
ed on the center of the lot, and
will show very nicely from there
from Main Street on one side and
| Price Street on the other. a COM
petent surveyor will be engaged to
locate the sight and grade the base.
etc. An excavation at least five
feet will be made below ground and
heavy cut stone placed therein flush
with the surface, so that the work
ought to last as long as the lease.
1t is expected that tho ceremonies
OF the cornerstone laying will tako
place about October next, and will
be red letter day I'm the history Of
the county. Almost every old
soldier in Preston is expected TO be
present and assist with the cxer-
cises. The committee will secure
an orator with anational repu tation
TO address the gathering at the M q
yelling Of the monument. A strong
box will be placed in the corner
stone, Dramatically sealed and
containing q roll Of all the soldiers
from Preston aud other important
papers.
Due notice OF The time and exer-
clscs will be given in the county
papers. The committee cannot tell
I yet just what tho cost Of the monu-
meut VIII be, but are investigating
now.
Ha-rrls-Haasssera