Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1903-06-25
STATUE TO FIGHTING JOE'
COLOSSAL BRONZE STATUE OF
GENERAL JOSEPH HOOKER
UNVEILED TODAY.
The Dedication Made the Occasion Of
Military Pageant-Statue Erected
by State of Massachusetts.

BOSTON, Mass, June 25.-ThiS
moraing occurred the unyeiling Of
colossal bronze equestrian statue of
General Joseph Hooker on the
grounds Of the state house. The
statue was erected by the state Of
massachusetts,.
The statue is the work of Daniel
c. French 1t is colossal, measuring
nearly fifteen feet high. while the
pedestal on which it stands is OF
nearly equal height. The horse stands
with all four hoofs on the ground, its
head pulled in. its tail pendant. The
general is equally quiet. He wears
the soft chapeau, sits with straight
knees very erect and holds his head
little back as if observing the move
ment of troops at distance
The dedication Of the monument to-
day was made the occasion of a splen-
did military pageant, $4,000 soldiers OF
the United States army, national guard
OF the state OF Massachusetts, and
sailors and marines from the Charles
town navy yard being in line and con-
stituting the largest parade of armed
men seen in Boston in a number of
years. In addition to the regular mil
II
itary organizations, the parade includ-
ed members OF the Loyal Legion. the
Society OF the Army of the Potomac,
whose annual reunion is in progress
here; the veterans of the Grand Army
of the Republic, New England Asso-
citation of Veterans of the Mexican
War, Naval and Military Order Span
ish-American War Veterans, Ancient
and Honorable Artillery company,
Worcester Continentals, Sons of Veter-
ans, and Society of California Pio-
neers, the presence of the latter or
ganization being in recognition Of Gen
eral Hooker's work on the Pacific
coast before the Civil war
The program committee reversed
the usual order of things and had the
unveiling take place before the pa
rade in order that every one might
have an opportunity of viewing the
latter. The unveiling exercises were
simple, and occupied less than quar-
ter OF an hour. The only addresses
were the presentation speech by the
chairman OF the statue committee and
the speech of acceptance by Governor
Bates. AT the conclusion of these ad-
dresses the mammoth statue, which
up to this time had been enveloped
with the Stars and Stripes, was ex-
posed amidst cheers from thousands
Of throats. AS the veil fell, the bands
played The Star Spangled Banner"
the usual courtesies due to a major
generals rank were given by drums
and bugles, and major generals sa-
lutte was fred on the common.
Immediately after the conclusion of
the exercises the booming of cannon
announced that the parade had start
ed. Along the line Of march thousands
OF spectators were thronged and the
various military organizations were
loudly cheered. On the reviewing
stand were the state and city off,
cials, survivors Of the Army Of the
Potomac and number of distinguish
ed war veterans from various parts OF
the country.
The exercises in honor Of the mem.
|ory Of General Hooker will be con-
tinued and concluded tonight with ad-
dresses in Mechanics building. The
official oration will be delivered by
General Charles p. Mattocks.