The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1898-11-28
THE ROCKEFELLER MONOLITH
Loftiest Shaft Ever Cut in the World
for the Grave of Prt-
Ynte Citizen.

The giant monolith ordered by John
D. Rockefeller from the Barre (Nt)
granite works, and which is being
dressed at the quarry, four miles from
town, is near to completion.
This monolith, which is to be erected
in the Rockefeller family lot in Lake
view cemetery in Cleveland. O., is by far
the largest one ever quarried in Amer
lea, and is believed to be the tallest and
most costly one to mark the last resting
place of private citizen anywhere in
the world. In this matter Mr.. Rookie
feller takes time by the forelock; he is
very much alive, and his health, if not
exactly robust, is good, and he shows
no sign of breaking down.
The cost of this monolith delivered
on board the ears at Barre, will be
about S50.0OO and at least $4,000 more
will be expended for transportation to
Cleveland and for the erection OF the
mammoth stone in Lakeview cemetery.
This $4,000 is the cost of Mr.. John ID.
Rockefeller's monolith, and is as drop
expenditure upon the family burial
plot; it is estimated that the cost OF
all the shafts, tablets and vaults erect
ed on this plot will be fully three-quar-
ters of a million dollars.
The dimensions of Mr.. Rockefeilers
monolith are rather startling The
stone has been quarried and is being
dressed, in four parts, each OF the tnest
quality of Vermont granite. The bot
tom base, so-called, is Ia feet square
and three feet high; the second base Is
nine feet two inches square and three
feet ten inches high; the die, which
surmounts the aforementioned piece, is
six feet eight inches square and seven
feet high; the spire is five feet square
at the base and towers to height OF 81
feet. The total height of the monolith,
therefore, is 65 feet and 10 inches. The
weight of the trife alone is trifie more
than 100 tons, and of the entire mono
Hth about 135 tons By way of com
parison it may be mentioned that the
Egyptian obelisk, in Central park. New
York which is also of granite, is 70 feet
in height and weighs about ZOO tons
The spire of the Rockefeller mono
lith is of such great length and weight
that it has been serious problem how
to get it to its destination without
straining bridges and crushing road
beds. Cars of extraordinary strength
have been built to transport the huge
stone to Cleveland, and route has
been chosen which will afford the most
substantial roadbeds and the greatest
possible freedom from sharp curves.
But though of mammoth size and to
cost comfortable fortune. one OF the
most striking features of this monolith
will be it's simplicity; ii viii be almost
devoid of ornament. and the only in
scription on ii will be the aord Rookie
feller," in large raised letters. This is
characteristic of Mr.. John ID. Rookie
Teller. who does everything well, but
nothing with ostentation.
The Rockefeller monolith will be the
tallest in Cleveland's beautiful ceme-
terry and with one exception the most
imposing and costly memorial there.
1t will be erected in the center of a
circle of vaults, where, in time. will re-
pose the remains of the entire Rockefel-
Ter family. The burial lot is an exten-
sive one. situated on the crest OF
ridge. and overlooking Lake Erie. Many
pretentious monuments are near by, in
cluding the Garfield memorial.-Boston
. Herald.