The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-24
A CHANCE FOR BRIDES
AN INDICTMENT TO GET MARRIED
on TOP OF THE MONUMENT.
VIII Give the First Couple
So Honored A Handsomely
Engraved Medal.

If there are two men in Indiana who an
swer daily more questions than are put to
the custodian and engineer of the soldiers
and sailors monument these officials would
like to know of IL. People visit the monu-
ment from all parts of the country and most
Of them have some comment to offer or
a question to ask. Some OF these queries
are most ingenious. Others are ridiculousiy
silly Recently two young fellows from the
southern part of the State visited the monu-
merit. Their general makeup Indicated that
they were fresh from the farm. After visit
ing the top Of the shaft they came down
and made critical survey Of the army and
navy astragals. One of the young men. aft
err taking a long look at the frowning can
non protruding from the top of the army as
tragal, turned to the custodian.
ST suppose" he remarked, that you have
them guns fixed so you can use them when
it is necessary to protect the monument
The questioner seemed much disappointed
when he was told that the guns were there
for ornament only. A woman recently
asked the custodian if they kept the ammu-
milton for the cannon in the basement of
the monument. Not long ago party or
out-cf-town people went into the monument
and purchased tickets for the top. 1t Is the
custom of the custodian to have everybody
register before they step on to the elevator.
"Why do you take the name of everybody
who goes up?" asked one of the men
as the custodian handed him the pen.
1--WE think it's necessary" answered the
custodian, 80 that we can identify you If
you conclude to jump from the top. We
would have no other means of finding out
who you are, you know" The custodian
hts
satire was accepted seriously.
A great many veterans visit the monument
and they are always lavish in their praise
OF it. Occasionally veteran of the South
ern Confederacy comes along and he is
treated with every courtesy. Veteran SOL
diers are charged but Is cents to ride to
the top of the shaft on the elevator All
others pay % cents. A week ago an old
fellow walked into the custodian's room and
expressed desire to go to the top of the
monument. 1t was clear that he was a
stranger and that he was a veteran there
could be no doubt. He registered from a
Southern city and laid down % cents for a
ticket. The custodian took the quarter and
gave him back 10 cents.
How is that?" asked the stranger, 81
thought it was % cents to go to the top"
''Oh, it is to anybody but an old soldier
replied the custodian. "You are a veteran
soldier, amt you?" The old fellow coughed
and shifted uneasily. Eyes, sir, I fought
down there with the rest of you. but l.
L"
''Oh, that's all right" interrupted the Gus
| todian, you were one Of the boys and you
| are entitled to the benefits"
"All right" said the stranger, 'but want
| to say to you that fought with the Fourth
| South Carolina Regiment and this is the
| first benefit have ever received for being
| in the rebel army"
| After this frank confession the battle
SCARED Southerner pocketed his dime and
| was shown the monument from the engine
room to the top. He was delighted with the
big shaft and the treatment he received.
| Not long ago the engineer was taking a
man through the engine room, when the
visitor turned TO him abruptly and asked:
Say, do you know how much this monu-
ment weighs?"
NO" innocently replied the engineer I'VE
haven't weighed it lately" But the ques-
ton set him to thinking and he expects
| to figure up the weight one of these days.
A woman was about to step on to the ele-
vator the other day. but suddenly drew back.
Il do wonder if there's any danger of fire, !"
she asked of her husband. The custodian
assured her that she was perfectly safe.
There are thirty-two flights of stairs, or
324 steps to climb in walking to the top OF
the monument. Frequently people try the
experiment of walking and many of them
ring for the elevator after the first one hun
dred steps.
The custodian has an offer to make to
matrimonially inclined people and they will
| do well to heed. 1t is the opportunity of a
! lifetime to have wedding in high life and
| get amedal to boot. The custodian will pre-
sent a handsomely engraved medal to the
| first Indiana couple who will get married
| on top of the monument. This offer is open
for the season.