The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-14
HONORS Her SON.
Ohio Unveils $4,000 Statue to
William Mckinley
Which Stands on the West Front
of the Capitol.
WAS DONE By M'NEIL.
It Is Regarded as the ScuIptOr's
Greatest Work.
dwelling Performed by Mrs.
As DONE BY M'NEIL.
dwelling Performed by Mrs.
Alice acknowledgement.

Columbus. O., Sept. 14.-People
from all over the state were present
this afternoon at the unveiling of the
$4,000 bronze statue of the late Presi-
dent Mckinley which faces High street
from the west front of the state eapi-
toll Thousands of persons packed the
streets and the capital grounds when
Mrs. Alice Roosevelt Longworth,
daughter of the president, unveiled the
statue.
The two principal orators of the oc-
casion were Justice William r. Day Of
the United States supreme court. and
United States Senator John w. Daniel
of Virginia. General R. B. Brown of
GAINESVILLE, O.. head of the Grand
Army. and General Joseph W. Kay of
New York, past national commander
of the Union Veterans legion, also
spoke
Elaborate preparations were made
for the dedication but there was no
ostentatious display or formal parade.
An immense open stand. seating 1000
people, handsomely decorated with
flags and bunting, was erected along
the entire west front of the capitol
building and was occupied by promi-
nent Ohioans. Mrs. Longworth and
her party occupied an especially con-
structed stand jutting out from the
center of the grand stand.
The exercises held on the anniver-
saIy of McKinley's death, opened with
an overture by Neddern1yer'S band,
followed by a song by the Republican
Glee club. Rev. Washington GLADDEN.
offered prayer and Governor Harris de-
! livered a. short address. Judge Day
followed and then as the vast crowd
sang Lead. Kindly Light" Mrs. Long
I ]. nj 1fnrnnnH
| flags covering the bronze figure OF the
martyred president. Senator Daniel
/ General Kay and General Brown fol-
lowed with addresses.
The splendid memorial may be
termed the poor mans tribute to the
late president, as half of the funds
were secured largely by popular sub
scription through the Columbus Dis
patch The legislature appropriated
S25, 900 Of the $4,000, which the me-
Herman A. Mcneil. the noted sculp-
tor of New York, famed for his work
of the American Indian, executed the
likeness.
The memorial is in the form of a semi
circle in the center of which is the Pc
destal, surmOunted by figure OF the
dead president, 8 feet 4 inches in height
on either side of the semi-circle are al
legorical pieces. To the right is a mus
cular figure representing industry, and
at its side is a boy, depicting education
To the left is a model Of woman typ
flying prosperity with a girl beside rep
resenting peace
These figures with the statue, are Of
bronze, While the memorial pedestal is
of hard Vermont granite, said to be the
only piece, with the exception of one
other, of its kind ever used.
On the front of the pedestal is in
scribed:
william Mckinley, twenty-frst pres
ident of the United States
On the rear: Born at Niles, O.. Jan
uary 29. 1913; died at Buffalo, N Y,
September IA, 1901.
a Roman eagle in bas relief has been
carved above the words and below them
Erected by the state of Ohio and the
citizens of Columbus, A. D. MCMVI-
The Mckinley statue is considered to
he McNeiPs masterpiece thus far. He
had never seen the president dead or
alive and had nothing 10 work from
save the death mask, photographs ana
the clothing the president wore the day
he was shot Men of the presidents s
were sought throughout the country
one of those chosen was Tammany
alderman William A. Baumert, now OF
College Point. L. L, n. z He posed
for the trousers. The other was DR..
W. c. Ward of New York, who posed
for the coat and vest.
Judge Days Address.
Judge Day spoke of William Nc
Kinlev as a type of the best possibili-
ties of American life of his exalted
character and of his services to the
country. concluding an eloquent ad-
ssFn the fuIlness of life with a mes
sage of good viii and kindness yet
fresh on his lips, meeting the people
who delighted that affection and ap-
preciatiOn which was his highest re-
ward for faithful and unrenitting
service, he was felled to earth for no
other offense than that in his person
he represented the head of the nation
and stood for liberty, regulated by law
and not for that unbridled license
which knows no respect for the laws
Of God or man.
so gentle, kind and true had been
this life that not even his slayer could
strike at him. With this gentleness
what mighty strength. Death meets
all on equal terms. The man as he is
then stands unveiled. With so much
to make life dear, this gentle man did
not falter when the summons came.
Looking forward to retirement in the
home he loved, sure Of the affection of
his countrymen and the respect of the
world, holding the hand of his loved
companion whose welfare had ever
been the first purpose of his life and
whose returning strength had made
the last summer one Of his brightest,
he entered the shadow of death with
no murmur at his fate, leaning on the
rod and staff which had comforted his
fathers. died as he had lived in
humble submission to the will of God.
He lives IN the love of his country
men. His memory grows brighter
with the years; the noblenesS of his
life, the sublime heroism of his death
shall never perish from the thoughts
Of men. He lives IN the thousands Of
homes where comfort and domestic
peace reflect the wisdom of his states
manship. He lives In the benehcence
Of his example at every hearth where
succeeding generations shall recount
the strength and beauty of his charac-
.all II. tLa.a .1e-.-.- }.