Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-08-05

The 100000 Mckinley tomb at Can |
ton, o., is rapidly approaching compile
tion, 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
throughout are constructed of concrete,
REINFORCED with steel as necessary and
faced with the materials above indi-
Gated.
Architect Magongle'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
q distance. and chose a 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 Il 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 cminence
of the picturesque West Lawn Gene
terry The pilgrim to the last resting
place of the dead president finds
spread out beneath his eyes Il 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 Il sug
gestton of a cross and swOrd-a SYM
bolism which has been deemed pecul-
iarly appropriate in a 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 IL long water,
an artificial lake or basin directly in
front of the mauSoleum, III 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. widcns gradually as it
approaches the memorial, Broadening
from thirty-flve to siXty-tive 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
impress the vision upon the mind of
the behoder.
Another supplementary feature that
contributes in no small degree to the
effect Is the presence of a statue of the
late president at the head of the grand
staircase and about fifty feet in front
of the facade of the mausOlcum.
AS Il sort of portal TO this patriotic
Mecca there is circular plaza. This
plaza Is, however, without any treat.
disposition of the trees. it being felt
that being merely a turning point the
attention should not he held by any
thing here. From this circle the ap
proach to the monument is of great
beauty The OblOng lake or basin pre-
viCusly 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 cent"a! alice of the
three, which slightly divcrge on leav
ing the circle. and will draw up at the
the mausOleum, thence passing up on,
of the side allees to the esplanade Il
the base of the grand staircase.
Various approaches for pedestrian.
have been provided, and there is alst
well arranged connection between