Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-26
ARBOR DAYS FATHER
Description Of Monument to Be Erected 70
Memory Of ]. Sterling Morton.
-FOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS YET NEEDED
\ Response to appeals Has Been Lib
eraI, but Committee stiu Lacks
that Amount to Pay for
work.
From a star correspondent.l

LINCOLN. March 25.-(special )-shortly
after the death OF ]. Sterling Morton In the
spring Of 1902, the Arbor Day Memorial
association was organized at Nebraska City,
the sole object Of this associations exist
ence being to provide a suitable monu-
ment in honor OF Mr.. Morton, the father
Of Arbor day. During the early part Of the
last winter several eastern sculptors we're
asked to compete for the contract o. erect
ing the monument and TO submit models
OF their designs. Several artists entered
the competition, and all OF their models
were sent to the Art institute Of Chicago,
where the executive committee Of the as
ISOLATION made their award in February.
The contract was awarded to Rudolph
Evans Of New York, because his model was
considered the most finished and compre-
hensive in the competition. A description
Of his design follows:
The object sought inRthe design Is to
combine simplicity with dignity and i'm
pressiveness, thus typifying the simple
manllness and nobility which characterized
the father OF Arbor day. The central fig
ure Of the design Is. Of course. the statue
Of Mr.. Morton himself, which stands upon
a massive yet graceful pedestal, in an at
titude characteristic OF his strong, frank
life. His right arm hangs easily by his
side and in his left hand he lightly holds a
paper, as though of recent references; a
branch OF a tree rests easily at his feet,
while a plowshare, slightly in the rear,
suggests the rugged pioneer days of his
early life. At the foot of the pedestal
stands a graceful wood sprite. her left
hand tenderly protecting a young, growing
tree. THIS symbolizing the spirit Of the
wise, public-spirited ideal expressed by
MFR. Morton's simple formula, PLANT
trees" A semi-circular stone bench
stands at some distance back OF the ped
estal and forming a frieze around it are
the words Pioneer, Statesman, Scholar,
Tree-planter." The back OF the bench is
further ornamented Will two large medal
lions in bronze. plainly visible to the right
and left Of the statue as one stands before
IT,. These illustrate, the one an important
epoch in MIR. Morton's career, and the other
his hearts desire; namely, the treaty with
the Pawnee Indians in which he promi-
nently participated, and a group of school
children planting trees. The lower part
OF this bench bears the inscription Erected
By the Arbor Day Memorial Association in
Memory Of J. Sterling Morton, 1903"
Upon the pedestal itself the following is
inscribed: ~. Sterling Morton, Father of
Arbor Day Plant Trees" The reverse of
the pedestal bears a concise sketch Of Mr..
Morton's life and public services.
Tit spaciousness and solidity of tho base
and foundation of the monument are in
tended to harmonic with the v~astness and
substantially Of the western country.
The platform around the monument will
be about 75x5O feet. and. excepting for the
brick which will be used in the platform,
the entire monument win be Of granite and
bronze. 1t will be erected in Morton park,
Nebraska City.
The public has responded very gener-
ously to the requests for donations, but the
assocI ION will need about 1900 more in
order toshave suficient funds to meet the
cost OF the monument. Contributions to
meet this deficiency will be gladly received
and acknowledged by the Arbor Day Me-
mortal association Nebraska City, Neb.