The copper country evening news., 1897-11-09
TN LOVEJOY'S MEMORY.
Magnificent Monument to the
Martyred Abolitionist.
UNWILLING OCCURS AT ALTON.
The Man i'm Whose Memory the Shaft Was
Erected Died While Defending His Print
ing Office Property from a Drunken Pro-
Slavery Mob-Large Numbers OF Grand
Army Men Take Part in the Unveilins
Ceremonies The speech Makers.

Slavery MOb-Large Numbers OF Grand
Army Men Take Part in the Unveilins
Ceremonies The Speech Makers.
Alton. Ills, Nov. 9.-Sixty years ago
Monday a drunken pro-slavery mob
murdered Elijah p. Lovejoy because he
was the champion of free speech and a
bitter foe 10 slavery. and, smashing up
his printing plant, scattered the debris
into Piasa creek. Monday all Alton
turned out to honor the martyr. Mud
dy streets and dripping skies could not
dampen their ardor. Thousands
marched with quickened steps TO Alton
cemetery. where on, the topmost hill
overlooking the muddy Mississippi.
magnificent monument was dedicated to
the memory Of the brave man who gave
his life TO freedoms holy cause.
A great celebration had been planned
Grand Army posts from the towns near
here had been invited. They came, in
large enough numbers but the pouring
rain that fell all day Sunday. lasting
into the early morning hours, TO some
extent interfered with the programme
prearranged.
EuIogies To the Martyr.
Speeches there were in plenty, the
tributes which each orator gave but
family rejecting the warm affection
felt. for the memory Of Lovejoy. Thorn
as Dmmick Of st. Louis, who helped
preserve the identity Of the martyr $
resting place, referred in a modest way
10 his own labor Of love. senator
Sparks delivered a eulogy on the late
Senator G. A. Herb. who secured the
appropriation in Springfield for the
LoVejoy monument, but who did not
live to witness the contamination Of his
good work.
His daughter, however, Miss Emma
Herb unveiled the beautiful shaft and
Rev. ]. NJ. Wilkinson spoke to the col
ored folks. VINO gathered in force to the
unveling. This fine memorial of the
| great abolitionist stands on the bluffs
| facing the Mississippi river. 1t over
| looks the railroads running into Alton
and is constructed of Quincy granite
| The base has the general appearance OF
the Lincoln monument in Lincoln park
( Chicago. a shaft Of granite surmount-
! ed by a figure of victory occupies the
I center Of the base.
Monument Is IOT Feet High.
Two sentinel columns bearing bronze
! eagles occupy positions at each side Of
the approach. The center column is 81
! feet high. and the figure is II feet high
er. making the total height of the mon
ument 107 feet. The sentinel column
rise to a height of 20 feet above tn
| base. The monument cost 100000
The story of Lovejoy's death at th'
hands Of the infuriated mob on Nov
| g. 1887, is briefly told For months be
fore that fatal day Lovejoy haC
preached against slavery. Each issu'
Of his paper, the Observer. attacked th'
hated institution. Bitter animostie
were engendered. His life was threat
ened, and he was advised to leave tn
country. He refused His presses wer
destroyed. But, undaunted, he kept on
until the fourth press had been sent for
A mob broke into the warehouse wher
it had been received. and it was Will
defending his property that Lovejo,
( was shot dead For years his grave la,
unmarked save by a plain pine slab.