Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1907-08-02
GRANITE AND MARBLE USED.

US luplelcu TO Tie last uGluli ny .tuc
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 d.
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. si Es s AZ 4
The principal material employed in
the construction of the monument is
pink Milford granite, which has been
utilized not only for the exteriorsof 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 edifee
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 read
fer comprehension Of the scales of the
edifice. The lighting is entirely from
above. a double sarcophagus Is to be
provided, as Mrs. Mckinley will rest
beside her husband.
The site is a 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 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 a cross and a sword-a sym
bolism which has been deemed pecul-
iarly appropriate in q memorial to one
who was a martyr and a president in
time of war. One of the most conspic-
uous features of the whole scheme is
the Introduction OF what has been
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-fiye to sixty-fiye feet, so
that the vista includes the whole width
Of the steps that rise directly from this
water pathway to the main entrance to
1 the tomb. 1t, is the function of this
/ quiet basin to reflect the architectural
composition beyond and thus doubly to
impress the vision upon the mind of
the behoider
Another supplementary feature that
contributes in no small degree to the
4 effect is the presence of IA statue OF the
4 late president at the head Of the grand
/ staircase and about fifty feet in front
OF the facade of the mausoleum
As sort of portal TO this patriotic
h 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 a turning point the
| attention should not be held by any.
thing here. From this circle the ap.
proach to the monument is3of greai
beauty The oblong lake or basin pre-
viously mentioned Is the central TEA
ture and is hordered by two avenues
shaded BY trees. I'd i ss5 III
1t is assumed that visitors In cay
riages Will take the central alice or tfs
three, which slight dsyerge ION ieav
Ing the circle, and will draw up at ti,s
foot Of the basin FOR a distant view d
the mausDle thence passing up on,
of the side aiiees tot the esplanaGe d
the base OF the grand staircase. 4is
Various approaches for pedestrian,
4 nave been provided and there is ais
well arranged connection betWeel
i the main approach and the system b
drives In the cemetery THE tomb ii
self II not more than q mile from tn
lines of the principal railroads passinI
through Gantcn and Ii therefore with
In plain viass of thousands dc travellers
The original plan ccntempi dedi
catory exercises on the anniversary D
the funeral oe the late president, bu
It is probable that inoraer to assurl
the presence OF President Roosevelt
as orator Of the day a later date In Sen
8 tembAr win beiehesen. The programme
will incIudes of course, the transfer o
the body from Its temporary resting
4 place ir the receiving vault at Yves
Lawn ITO Its final abiding place III th
sareophagns of the memorial, and q
escort for this last sad journey ther
VIII be an impressive civic and mil
tary pageant.