The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-29
A Remarkable Image Obtained
by Sculptor Rupert
Schmid.
HISTORY OF THE MONUMENT
The dwelling at Golden Gate Park.
A Bust of Pope Leo XIII
on View.

The colossal bronze bust of General U.
5. Grant for Golden Gate Park has been a
long time coming to San Francisco, but
The CALL is able to give the gratifying
news that no city in the United States has
bronze than that which may now be seen
at the studio of the sculptor, Rupert
Schmid, on Van Ness avenue.
As likeness the work is superb. The
strong, characteristic features of Grant
the eyes, expanse of forehead, the firm,
tenacious chin, the resolute set of the
mouth and the pose of the head, are re-
produced by the artist with marvellous
accuracy. No one who had the privilege
of knowing Grant personally and who
made study of his features will dispute
the assertion that the image is almost per-
feet.
The general was not IN good health
when he sat at his home in New York for
the sculptor, but his frame had not then
been wasted by the disease which caused
his death some time later. Prior to the
final sitting Mr.. Sehmid had made close
study OF the generals features and the
countenance was impressed on his mind.
Mrs. Grant and her sons, together
with Leland Stanford and others who
were familiar with the general, were
highly pleased with the model
About one year ago the figure was sent
TO Munich along with other models to be
cast in bronze, and the bust of the general
was remarkably we'll cast.
OF the members of the Grant Monument
Committee, appointed from the committee
of one hundred in 1885, the survivors are
not many. OF the large amount of money
subscribed less than $4,000 was collected.
Since then surplus of $500 from the
Fourth of July Committee of 1856 has been
PAID into the fund. A subscription of
500 was also paid. After the death of Lee
land Stanford the committee was in a
sense disorganized and no effort was made
TO collect subscriptions. The amount col
lected was deposited in the Angio-Califor-
MIA Bank, and it is understood that the
bank will allow interest on the deposit
Mr.. Schmid. the sculptor, has received
$500 on account, and there is due him on
his contract the further sum of $1,000.
Aside from the bust, he modelled the in
sigma, or cluster of war trophies, to rest
on the granite base of the monument The
trophies consist OF cannon. musket, flag
standard, eagle, hat, shield and sword
The cluster Is artistically woven in bronze
Bronze plates bearing inscription of
battlehelds will adorn the shaft These
decorations recount Belmont, Fort Donel-
son, Shiloh, Vicksburg, Chattanooga,
Wilderness, Petersburg and Appomattox
The height of the bust is 3 feet inches
The insignia OF arms occupies about equal
space. As the monument will stand steps
will lead to the granite base. On the base
the bronze cluster or insignia will be
placed. The monument proper is ten feet
high and will rest on four cannon balls and
the bronze bust will surmount the shaft.
Theodore Reichert has received direct
and positive assurance that the money re-
qulred TO place the monument in position
and detray expense of ceremonies attend
ing the unwilling will be forthcoming at
once.
While all the details have not been set
tied, 1t is understood that the monuments
will be placed on the knoll or eminence
near the aviary in the park and not far
from the Star King statue. 1t has been