New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1907-07-31
THE M'K|NLEY TOMB.
Features of MausoIeum Soon to
Be Ready For Dedication.
GRANITE AND MARBLE USED.


GRANITE AND MARBLE USED.
Former Presidents Tomb at Canton,
O., Is Ninety eight Feet High and
Seventy nine Feet In Diameter-Dou
BILE Sarcophagus to Be Provided.
Suggestion Of Cross and Sword In
Approaches to imposing Structure.
The 100000 Mckinley tomb at Can
ten, O., is rapidly approaching compile
ton, says the st. Louis Republic Con
struction was begun in the spring Of
1905, and the cornerstone was laid on
Nov 16, 1905. The architect and con-
tractors express confidence that it will
be completed to the last detail by the
early autumn Of 1907, the time set for
the dedication Of the tomb
The mausoleum is ninety-eight feet
in height and seventy-nine feet in di-
ameter The grand stairway, which
constitutes the principal approach to
the tomb proper and Is an essential
part Of the design, is seventy five feet
in height
The principal material employed in
the construction Of the monument is
pink Milford granite, which has been
utilized not only for the exterior Of the
mausoleum, but also for the steps and
balustrades The interior Of the memo
rial Is finished in light gray Knoxville
marble, with honed surface. The sar-
cophagus is to be Of black polished
granite. The rough walls of the edifce
throughout are constructed of concrete,
REINFORCED with steel as necessary and
faced with the materials above indi-
Gated.
Architect Magonigle's design, which
was chosen by a jury from those sub
mitted in competition, shows great so
briefly Of outline and detail. He reject
ed the frequently suggested exterior
columnar treatment not only as being
too rich in motive, but as likely to con-
fuse the mass unduly when seen from
distance, and chose form described
In the Ohio Magazine as Circular dom
ical wall architecture
The columnar treatment, which was
barred from the exterior, is, on the
contrary, employed most effectively in
the interior, where it assists in a read
Ter comprehension of the scales of the
edifce. The lighting is entirely from
above. A double sarcophagus is to be
provided, as Mrs. Mckinley will rest
beside her husband.
The site is tract of twenty-siX
acres, forming the browning eminence
of the picturesque West Lawn GENE
terry. The pilgrim to the last resting
place of the dead president finds
spread out beneath his eyes a varied
landscape, beyond which lies the whole
panorama of the city Of Canton.
In the general arrangement of the
approaches to the tomb there is a sug-
gestion of cross and a sword-a sym
bolism which has been deemed pecul-
iarly appropriate in memorial to one
who was martyr and president in
time Of war. One Of the most conspic-
uous features Of the whole scheme is
technically denominated a long water,
an artificial lake or basin. directly in
front Of the mausoleum, in effect not
unlike the prayer rug forming the ave-
nue. of approach to some eastern shrine.
The basin, which is more than 500
feet in length, widens gradually as it
approaches the memorial, broadening
from thirty-fve to sixty-five feet so
that the vista includes the whole width
of the steps that rise directly from this
water pathway to the main entrance to
the tomb 1t is the function of this
quiet basin to reflect the architectural
composition beyond and thus doubly to
the beholder.
Another supplementary feature that
contributes in no small degree to the
effect is the presence of statue of the
late president at the head of the grand
staircase and about fifty feet in front
Of the facade Of the mausoleum.
AS a sort Of portal to this patriotic
Mecca there is circular plaza This
plaza is, however, without any treat
ment other than parapet wall and the
disposition Of the trees, it being felt
that being merely turning point the
attention should not be held by any
thing here. From this circle the APP
proach to the monument is of great
beauty The oblong lake or basin pre-
viously mentioned is the central fea-
ture and is bordered by two avenues
shaded by trees.
1t is assumed that visitors in car
riages will take the central alice Of the
three, which Slightly diverge on leav-
ing the circle, and will draw up at the
foot of the basin for a distant view Of
the mausoleum, thence passing up one
Of the side allees to the esplanade at
the base Of the grand staircase.
Various approaches for pedestrians
have been provided, and there is also
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