The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-19
GRAVE OF MRS. LINCOLN
STEPS TAKEN TO PURCHASE GROUND
WHERE 1T Is SITUATED.
Governor Mount and Party Meet
Spencer County Omcia1s-Re-
suit of the Conference.

About three years ago President McKin-
ley sent to Governor Mount letter in
which complaint was made that the grave
OF the mother of Abraham Lincoln was so
neglected as to be discreditable to the
country and the State of Indiana. Upon
the appearance of this report Governor
Mount called the officials of the Grand
Army, the Loyal Legion, the Woman's Re
lief Corps and the Sons of Veterans TO
consult with him as to what should be
DONE An association was formed under
the laws of the State which made the Gov
ernor president ex officio the Department
of the Grand Army, Horace Mckay ana
T. A Smith, of the Loyal Legion, the COM
mander of the Sons of Veterans, United
States Marshal Kercheval and few others
the directors. Steps were taken to secure
contributions, but only small amount
was obtained, which is now in the hands
of Horace Mckay, treasurer of the assoc
citation 1t was decided that the directors
visit Lincoln City, in Spencer county, and
consult with the county officials and 9TH
ers as to what could be done Before a
time could be fixed for the visit winter
came, and with the spring came the Span
ish war, which made IT impossible for the
Governor and others to attend.
Nothing further was done until a few
weeks ago, when the Culver Construction
Company, of Springfield. ILL.,, which has
the contract for the reconstruction of the
Lincoln monument, wrote Governor Mount
Offering to build monument partly from
he fv,na II, rrtt
ment President Culver seemed so much
in earnest about the matter that at the re-
quest of the commission Governor Mount
correspondent with him and became salts
fed that the offer was genuine one and
so generous as to be providential. Mr..
Culver asked for specifications of such a
monument as the commission would ap-
prove, and offered to send plans. He also
asked for some description of the spot on
which the monument was to be built
This business-like proposition caused the
commission to take immediate steps to Sc
cure as much land as would be needed to
make the monument and it's surroundings
worthy of the great names they Will COM
memorate, and creditable TO the State, and
particularly to the people of Spencer coun-
ty, in which Abrham Lincoln spent dozen
years of the formative period OF his life.
Correspondence was opened with the COM
missioners and auditor of Spencer county,
which resulted in an appointment Tor a
meeting in Lincoln City Wednesday, April
Is.
The meeting was held yesterday morning
near the grave of Nancy Hanks Lincoln.
Governor Mount, Department Commander
Dunlap, United States Marshal kercheval,
Captain Horace Mckay, u. A. Smith and
Hon. A. NJ Sweeney represented the Nam
cy Hanks Monument Association, and Hon.
George ]. Clement, Marvin A Jones and
Ed Roberts, County Commissioners, and
Hon. ]. G. Remstedt, auditor, represented
Spencer county. After looking over the
ground it was the opinion of the Governor
and his associates that the sixteen acres
of land embracing the knoll on which the
grave is located would be required. The
commissioners and other citizens who
were present were Of the same opinion.
Governor Mount, on behalf of his associ-
ates, promised the commissioners that the
monument, as pledged by the Culver Con-
struction Company, should be built, and
that money would be provided for the i'm
provement of the grounds and for their
maintenance IL the county would purchase
after consultation with the owner, Robert
Ferguson, officially informed the commits
sion that they would purchase the land on
such condition as the Governor named for
the association. The price to be paid is $50
an acre.
The spot where the mother of Abraham
Lincoln is buried is the summit of wood
ed knoll, which rises about 100 feet from
the highway. 1t is covered with beauti-
full growth of several varieties of oak. hick-
DRY and other woods free from under
growth. For years the spot has been used
for soldiers and other gatherings. The
summit is the highest ground In the vicin-
lily, and commands a delightful country, to
which succession of low ridges and val
leys gives variety. To the east, or the
next ridge, 1000 yards, is the cedar tree
which marks the spot on which stood the
there is no surface indication of the cabin
except the cedar tree, which the owner of
the land, Andrew ]. Rhodes. zealously
guards.
Quite number of veterans wearing the
button of the Grand Army were on the
grounds while the conference was going on
few yards apart. They all seemed to
take deep interest in the project. A
goodly number of people We're present to
greet the Governor. 1t is believed that the
park and monument will bring many ex-
cursionistS to a spot so rich in historic
memories. The region in which Abraham
Lincoln lived for years, and which is yet
full of "reminiscences concerning his fam
lily, will always be visited by people to
whom he will always be the greatest of
Americans. To Auditor Remstedt and the
much credit is due for the success of the
project. Tt is proposed 10 put the associa-
ton upon a broader basis by asking the
Legislature TO make the successive Gov
errors. the heads OF several patriotic as
sociations and the auditor and commits
sioners of Spencer county the permanent
board of control. The matter will be placed
before the Grand Army Encampment and
the 10y Legion next month. The com
mission returned last evening