The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-10-28
VEIL is DRAWN.
Statue of j. Sterling Morton Re-
vealed to Old Friends,
Admirers and Neighbors to the
Number of 5000.
FATHER OF ARBOR DAY
Is Paid Remarkable Tribute
by Grover Cleveland
Who JOurneyed From Princeton,
N. j., for the Occasion.
ATHER OF ARBOR DAY

Nebraska City, Neb., Oct 2S.=In
the presence of 5000 persons, and
with elaborate ceremony, a statue of
J. Sterling Morton, secretary of agri-
culture in the last Cleveland cabinet,
and founder of Arbor day, was un-
yelled at Morton park this afternoon.
Principal of those present at the cere-
mony were former President Grover
Cleveland, Vice President Adlai E.
Stevenson, Governor Mickey, Hilary
A. Herbert, David R. Francis and
others associated with Mr.. Morton
during his term of Office. Sterling
Morton, a grandson of the secretary,
drew aside the curtain which exposed
the statue to view. There were six
addresses, principal OF which was that
of Mr.. Cleveland. which was a touch
ing eulogy of his former cabinet Of
ficer and personal friend.
Other addresses were by Governor
Mickey. who welcomed the visitors,
Hilary a. Herbert. David r. Francis,
Mr.. Stevenson and DR. George L.
Miller. the latter of Omaha.
The special train carrying former
President and Mrs. Cleveland and
party of nearly 100 persons arrived
over the Burlington at $3.50 in the
morning. Among those arriving on
this special were former Vice Presi-
dent AdIai f. Stevenson, Paul Morton
and daughter, Miss Pauline Morton;
JOY Morton, Mark Morton Secretary
Hilary A Herbert, Dr. and Mrs.
Bryant of New York, Governor David
R Francis Robert Greer. Michael
Cudahy, James H Eckles and F. L.
Evans. President 4. p. Ripley of the
Santa Fe; G. B. Harris and b. T.
Gable also arrived by special train.
From Omaha and Lincoln specials
brought Governor Mickey and staff
and many prominent >>ebraskans.
A reception commit met these
and other guests and Ehey were es-
cOrted to Arbor Lodge. where they
were guests of JOY Morton until the
unveiling ceremony at Morton park
this afternoon.
Governor Mickey and STAFF were met
by company c. Nebraska national
guard, by whom they were escorted
to the blind institute, where they
were guests Of the superintendent
John w. Steinhart, chairman of the
executive committee of the memorial
day association, presided at the un-
yelling ceremony.
Description of the Monument.
The model of Rudolph Evans, a New
York sculptor was accepted by the me-
mortal association, after having been
examined in competition with several
others at the Chicago Art institute
The object sought in the design IS to
combine simplicity with dignity and
impressiveness, thus typifying the man
illness and nobility which characterized
the life of the father of Arbor day.
The central figure in the design is, Of
course, the statue of Mr.. Morton him
self, which stands upon massive, yet
graceful PEDESTAL in an attitude char
acteristic of his strong life. At the foot
of the pedestal stands a graceful wood
sprite, her left hand tenderly protecting
a young growing tree, symboliz1ng the
public spirited ideal expressed by Mr..
Morton's simple formula, "plant trees
A semi-circular stone bench stands at
some distance back Of the pedestal, and
forming frieze around it are the
words, ''Pioneer, statesman, scholar,
tree-planter."
Upon the pedestal itself is inscribed:
81. 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.