The San Francisco call., 1897-07-08
WASHINGTON s STATUE.
The Owner Wishes the City to
Accept the Relic and
Erect It.
1t Is the Supervisors Fault That It
Was Not Suitably Placed
Long Ago.

Apropos OF the article which appeared
in last Sundays CALL concerning an old
statue of George Washington, which at
one time stood in Woodward's Gardens.
bus is now lying abandoned in the back
yard Of Mission street residence. the fol-
lowing Communication was yesterday re-
ceived at the office of THE CALL:
SAN FRANCISCO, Cal, July 6, 1897.
Citu Editor San Francisco CdLt-DEAR sIR:
have noticed in last Sundays, as well as to-
dav's issue of THE CALL, an, article about the
abandonment OF the statue of George Wash
ington. | would say in that respect that that
part is not entirely correct. am The owner
OF the statue, and on April II, 1893, addressed
communication lot which he ncto sed Is
copy to the Board of Supervi ors OF thus Cit9
and County, offering to donate and er.ct the
statue in Washington square or any other
place which they would designate, Tree of
charge TO the City.
TheSupervisors at tn at time ano for some time
after did not act in the matter, and then de-
cided TO cree. the statue on Liberty Heights"
otherwise known Battle Mountain, when
ever the streets in that vicinity should be
graded. The streets have not been graded as
yet, owing 10 the different Boards of Super
visors not having the backbone 10 carry out the
law owing TO some controversy concerning the
grades which exist in that part OF the City.
have always had watchman look after the
statue since bought it.
Your sugges ton OF placing the statue in
public park is a very good one, and am will
l"g to donate the statue for that purpose, and
wiz furthermore sgree to remove 1t from Its
present site TO any ace that may be desig-
nated TO have il erected. / would propose that
| your esteemed paper take up public su bscrip-
! tlon heated by the balance of the Fourth OF
| "uiy appropriation, If there is any left, as q
starter lor the means OF erecting q sui able
louuoauon. ! would also suggest that an ap-
| peal De made to the different quarf and build
/ ln% stone men OF the State 10 contribute suffi-
clent stone from each quarry TO complete the
peuestAi' VIII agree TO collect all such ma
! terlai that may be delivered 10 this City and
! been selected.
III were in the same financial position al
! the present time as / was when offered the
statue 10 ihe City, would have long since
| mace pphcatlon to the Park Commits
| sloners Ior permission to erect the statue in
! Go!den Gate Park free OF charge to any one.
Al lhe present time am not IN position to
40 as l snould nave liked, and l can only
| oHer to DO as l have already said-to donate
ana move the statue TO the place which may
be selected Tor IL, ano collect all material
! which may be donated in the City and deliver
same To the selected site wholly free of apy
cost TO any ohe Any further Information de-
sired will be gladly given. Most respectfully
yours, JOSEPH SCHEERER
70 Tenth street, San Franctsco.
Following is a copy of the letter sent to
| the Board of Supervisors:
SAN FRANCISCO, Cal, April II. 1893.
/ To the Hon0rcbLe D0urd OF SuDerrisors--t,EE-
TLEmEN: Having purchased the well-snowu
statue of Washington: which for many years
graced the entrance of Woodwarus Gardens. I
respectfully present 1t through YOU 10 the peo-
! PIE of San Francisco and request tnat n be
placed on proper pedestal in Washington
square or in any other appropriate place to be
selected by your honorable Board OF Super
visors. l will build pedestal and place it,
free OF charge, in above square to the entire
satisfaction OF your honorable board or any
one you may select 10 act Tor you Respect.
fully submit TIED, JOSEPH SCHEERER.
BY Gs Z, SCHEERER.