River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-08-19

of the StonewalI jackson memorial
hall. The speakers for the occasion
were Hon. John W. Daniel, of Lynch
burg; Rev. DIR. j. w. Smith, of Rich
mond, of Jackson's personal staff, who
covered his body with his own as a
shield the night he was shot at Chan
cellorsville, and DIR. Hunter Mcclure. of
Richmond, who was chief of Jackson's
medical corps. The day was also alum
nj day, and the schools sons came
from far and wide to do homage once
more at their alma mater. Col Edmund
Pendleton, of Lexington, Va, one of the
graduates of the first class turned out,
was present and was the recipient of
much applause.
Stonewall Jackson memorial hall was
filled with people long before the hour
set for the commencement of the dedi-
cation exercises. The crowd was
swelled by excursions from Lynchburg
and Staunton, which poured something
like 1000 strangers into the town TO
participate in the exercises. The ros-
trum was decked with evergreen, with
a large oil painting of jackson in the
center. Faced on the bank were the
names of his staff in gold. with the
names of Smith and Mcclure on either
side of the painting On the stage were
distinguished visitors, the board of
visitors, Washington and Lee faculty,
institute faculty and alumni. The cele-
brated Stonewall brigade band of
Staunton was present by special invi-
tation.
The exercises were opened with
prayer by Rev. DIR. Hemphill, of Louis
vile, Ky. S. III. Letcher, president of
the board, briefly outlined the history
of the raising of the funds, and stated
that large part of the money came
from Pennsylvania, and that Jefferson
Davis made the first contribution. DIR.
Hunter Mcclure then spoke upon Per
sonal "reminiscences of Jackson" The
exercises were concluded by the adj
dress OF United States Senator John ".
Daniel. who delivered a mastery eulogy
upon jackson as a Soldier"
The Stonewall jackson Memorial hall
looks out upon the parade grounds,
and is connected to the west wing of
the cadet barracks by gothic arch, in
which, directly overhead, is the Young
Mems Christian association hall and
li.iary, capable of seating $50 people.
This room has a 32-foot pitch, and is
lighted by two large gothic windows.
The library is cut off by means of drop
roller doors. There are two entrances
to this room, which is really the chapel, |
and perhaps the handsomest room in |
the new building.
The arch is built of Kentucky blue |
limestone, and has in raised letters on
the face, "Stonewall Jackson" and be |
low is a five-foot wrought-iron grill. |
The foundation, which is of massive ma
tive gray limestone, in some places was
placed 40 feet below the surface and I
grouted with tons of cement.
The rest of the structure is of red 4
brick, with buttresses and battlements |
of yellow terra Gotta. The exterior is /
in keeping with the cadet barracks, /
which is after the old baronial castle |
style.
There is a double entrance from the 4
arch, through quartered oak doors, into /
a lobby 50x16 feet with red and gray /
tiled floor The hardware here used IS
Of solid bronze. From the lobby there /
are three doors leading into the main
hall; also stairways leading up and 4
down, trimmed and finished in quar-
tered oak. The main hall is furnised in
native pine finish, and is 105X50 feet.
The acoustics are very fine, as a whisper
can be heard from one end of the hall to
the other. The windows are of loaded
glass. in blue, green ard pur-
pie or sides and rear with compile
mentary colors. The ceiling is paneled
with turned drops, from which are cleo
trio lights, supported by eight massive
iron columns. The walls are finished
with adamantine plaster.
On the floor over the Jackson hall is
the engineering department of five
rooms. On what is known as the first
floor is the gymnasium hall which is
i05x50 feet. The interior walls Of this
hall have been left in the rough state
with fiye-foot panel; the ceiling is sup
ported by massive iron pillars. Provi
sion has also been made for swimming
pool in the lower end of this room.
The old tower which is connected with
tie memorial hall by the arch and in
which was formerly the drawing acad
envy with library, has been converted
into the library with four stori 5 over
looking the rcturda below.
Artillery and signal drill was gone
With by the corps of cadets in
the afternoon. The firing with blank
cartridges attracted an immense gath
ering of people. The parade grounds
were taxed TO their utmost capa city to
the gather Z.
The annual meeting of the alumni {
was held In the Jackson hall, and the
committee on the erection OF a monu-
mcnt to Che cadets who fell at the battle