The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-05-09
THE REGENTS CHOSEN
SOLDIERS MONUMENT COMMISSION
FINALLY MAKES A SELECTION.
Gen. Lew Wallace, Gen. Fred Kneher
and Major Menzfes Nahaed-Prob-
able President.

The three monument regents created under
the law ousting the old commission were
yesterday appointed by the commission con-
sisting OF Governor Matthews, Secretary of
state Owen, Auditor of State Daily and
Treasurer of State Scholz. The regents
who are to complete the monument are
General Lew Wallace, General Fred Knef-
Ter and Major G. V. Menzies. The last is
a Democrat and an intimate friend and
counselor of the Governor, whose attor-
ney he is in prison litigation. The appoint
ing board was in session for about an hour
and heard a statement from Attorney-gen-
eral Ketcham. The latter stayed only long
enough to learn that George j. Langsdale
was not to be elected and then he retired.
The appointing power canvassed the names
of Mr.. Langsdale. Daniel NJ. Ransdell, John
T. Cleland, Major Mulkey, a Mexican war
veteran. living in Bloomington, William II.
English and the gentlemen who were Sc
lected. Governor Matthews announced tina
he had asked Mr.. English TO allow his
name to be used for reappointment on the
board as one Of the regents, but Mr.. English
declined, saying that he thought the board
should be composed of new men entirely.
The result was especially pleasing 10 Mr..
English. He said last night that no better
NObtlA IidN UtNn CtltCltu.
The new board will meet to organize in
the near future. it is said. providing that
those appointed signify their acceptance.
General Lew Wallace and Mr.. Menzies were
not in town and it is not known whether
they will accept or not. 1t was thought,
however, about the Statehouse that they
would. though General Wallace once refused
to take n position on the old commission.
IL is known that Major Menzies was not a
candidate and was rather adverse to be-
ing appointed. 1t is generally taken for
granted that General Knefer will be the
president and administrative head of the re-
gency. His home is in this city ard he has
always taken a lively interest in the monu-
Il did not know that / had been selected
as one of the regents until General Foster
OF II. L was not a candidate and have not
sought the place. The idea of serving as
a regent is one 1 have not thought Of and
L cannot now say even that L VIII accept.
But If | accept / will try TO follow the law
and will use my influence 20 cause the mon
ument to be as great a work of art as the
world ever saw. / have a deep interest in it.
as all soldiers have, but / mo as yet
say anything about details"
General Knefier was born in Hungary, in
1884, and came with his parents to Amer
lea in early boyhood. His parents settled
ren n u Kpeser IN axd dsSy; since Whi 6n n rnnf
during the war, has been a continuous res
ident. He was a deputy i'm the office of
John c. New, clerk of the county, and was
reading law at the same time. The war
breaking out. he was one of the first to
enlist, becoming n lieutenant in the
Eleventh Indiana, which had Lew Wallace.
row his colleague on the monument re-
gency. for it's colonel. He was shortly pro-
NOTED to the rank of captain for gallant
service and later became colonel of the
Seventy ninth Regiment. He won a brevet
brigadier general5hip. H. was for many
years a partner with John Hanna in the law
business after the war. General knefler
was appointed pensioI agent by President
Hayes and was reappointed by President
Arthur. serving eight years. This is the
only Office he has held. He has been promi-
nent in local politics as a Republican. He
is a man of positive character and clearly
defined opinions. His friends declare that
he is well fitted for the charge that seems
likely to be his in large measure as pres
ident of the board. He is a wide reader
on art subjects and has made himself famil-
lar with the great monuments of the world.