The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-12
A TOMB FIT FOR A KING
AN INDIANAPOLIS MAN CONSTRUCT
ING THE MAcKEY MAUsOLEUM.
Beautiful Art Work I'm the Interior
The Cost VIII Exceed a Quar-
ter of a Million.

John r. Lowe, who designed and super
vised the building of the celebrated Mackay
memorial mausoleum in Greenwood Gem
etery Brooklyn. N. Y. resides in Indian
apolis, although of late his business has
been established at Louisville, Ky. Mr..
Loves son, o. r. Lowe, was associated
with his father in making the working
drawings and has been thoroughly posted
as to the progress of the work. The young
man lives at 214O North Pennsylvania
street He has given the Journal an inter-
esting description of what will be one Of
the most magnificent tombs ever erected
for q man in private life tomb that will
rank with those of the old world erected
for princes and kings, although less pre-
tentious in size. The tomb has been erect
ed by Mr.. and Mrs. John w. Mackay Of
California, in memory of their son, John
w. Mackay jr., whose body will be the first
TO occupy enc of the twenty-five catacombs
with which the tomb is provided. Exact
figures as to the cost of the structure are
not given, but New York papers have said
that it would approximate $3OO,OOO
Work on the memorial began early last
summer. Europe has been canvassed by the
mother for ideas to beautify the INTERIOR
Above a magnificent altar in the interior
corridor. which is fitted up like a church,
is replicate in marble of a Madonna and
Child" by Michaelangelo, discovered by
Mrs. Mackay in an Italian church About
the altar are magnificent bronze candelabra
Of historical interest. The many art glass
windows, among them set representing
the eight beatitudes, were also procured
abroad.
The mausoleum stands on a beautiful site
Me aTrs H. A.
entrance to Greenwood Cemetery. To the
top of the great stone cross that sur
mounts the structure the height is forty
three feet. AT the base the tomb is thirty
three feet square. 1t is in form similar to a
Greek cross for about one-third of its
height. The central opening is capped by
one huge block of Hallowell granite twenty
two feet square, brought from the quarries
at Hallowell, Me-, at great trouble and ex-
pense. 1t is perhaps the largest block of
granite ever quarried, and weighs nearly
fifty tons. This block forms the base of
the roof and is Surmounted by twelve other
blocks, each smaller than the other, over
al of which is placed G great stone cross in
Keeping with the massive appearance of
the whole. Over the four wings of the tomb
are beautiful bronze groups, brought from
Grief" Faith Hope and Peace
Above the groups the building assumes the
form of square decorated with hand
eight iunettes
Access to the interior is through the wing
facing the west, which is crowned by the
ngure Religion Consoling Grief by as
ending four steps leading to a vestibule
guarded by massive bronze doors and gates
the latter opening into the auditorium
Within the auditorium there is the atmos-
phere and general characteristics of a min
lature cathedral Occupying the wing OPP
posite the entrance is the altar. Here a
priest could celebrate mass before at least
fifty persons. Modern ideas have been car
RED out IN the heating and lighting, which
are accomplished by electricity. With the
exception of the lights about the altar, light
is dffused throughout the auditorium
through translucent glass fixed in the top
OF the dome The effect gives a soft, relig-
ious atmosphere to the entire auditorium.
The altar deserves special mention. Onyx,
colored marbles and bronze enter into it's
composition.
At the right and left of the auditorium,
and occupying the two remaining wings, are
concealed twenty of the crypts, the other
two being under the altar. All the crypts
are concealed. The crypts are separated
marble in frames of bronze ten feet in
height, hung on continuous hinges. The
crypts are individually ventilated and are
made of pink marble, highly polished
At either side of the four wings pilas-
tiers of Sienna marble. In front of these
are columns running from the floor, the
lower part partaking of the color and de-
sign of the wainscoting, which is in black
and Connemara green. The shaft proper
commences here, and continues to the en-
tablature from which rises octa&oAHl
dome of marble mosaic. The projection Of
the four wings form four alcoves each Of
which is lighted BY two windows containihg
the cathedral glass, representing the beati-
tudes, above mentioned. The floors are
paved I'm marble mosaic.
The building follows none of the classic
styles, although It resembles somewhat
those of the renaissance period. The
beauty of the malsoleum lies in the SIM
plfcity of it's design and the massive pro-
portions on which il has been constructed
less than in elaborateness of decorative eff
fects. which have been subdued in order
not to detract from the dignity of the whole
Mr.. Lowe expects to have the entire work
completed before JAM l. from letters his
son has recently received.