The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1907-10-03
Mckinley Memorial Dedicated.

mCAlnley memorial Deo1cated.
On Monday last at Canton, Ohio,
occurred the dedicatory services OF
the Memorial erected to the memory
OF our late beloved president, VIM.
Mckinley.
The mausoleum stands on an emin-
ence to which has been given the
name of Monument Hill, about two
miles due west of the Mckinley home
In the city of Canton. 1t is not an
ornate affair, but its simplicity is re-
lieved by sufficient artistic embellish-
ment to make it an object of beauty,
as well as one of massive proportions
and breadth of design.
Four states nave contributed a
share of the material which has been
used in the building of the monu-
ment. The granite used in the APP
proaches and the mausoleum proper
are from the quarries of Milford
Mass. Tennessee has furnished the
grey marble for the interior of the
tomb, while the sarcophagi which
now hold the bronze caskets in which
lie the bodies of President and Mrs.
Mckinley are of dark granite from
Windsor, VT. The base upon which
the sarcophagi rest is black granite
from Berlin, Wis.
From the first step of the approach
to the monument. to the actual top Of
the structure is 1853 feet inches, the
mausoleum itself being 90 feet in
ches high above the summit of the
/ Of 81 a Il
oculus 10 feet in diameter through
which comes the softened light which
adds greatly to the beauty of the in
terror.
The mausoleum is rs feet inches in
diameter. In the center of the floor
beneath the dome stand the sarcopha-
81 containing the bodies of the Presi-
dent and Mrs. Mckinley; and in
inches on the north side of the dome
are the caskets containing those of the
two daughters, Ida and Mary, who
died in infancy.
Huge doric columns are placed
around the interior in such manner
as to appear half buried in the sides
of the building. The floor is of mo-
sale, marble having been brought
from many states for the purpose.
Half way down from the top of the
125 granite steps that lead up to the
main entrance on the south side of
the mausoleum stands an heroic
bronze figure of President Mckinley
representing him in the attitude usu-
ally assumed when speaking-his left
hand holding roll of manuscript, and
the right hand in the trousers pocket.
Behind the figure is a bronze chair
encircled with wreath and draped
with the flag of the United States.
The bronze figure which is nine feet
high stands on pedestal Is feet from
the base to the feet of the figure.
Upon the face of the pedestal of the
statute these words are inscribed
civilian Mckinley, President of
the United States, statesman singu
larly gifted to unite the discordant
forces of government and mould the
diverse purposes of men toward pro-
gressive and salutary action; a magis-
trate whose poise of judgment was
tested and indicated in succession
of national emergencies; good citizen,
brave soldier, wise executive, helper
and leader of men, exemplar to his
people of the virtues that build and
conserve the state, society and the
home"
Twenty six acres of ground were
purchased by the monument commits
sion and the utmost care of the land
scape gardener has been lavished
upon the grounds. Natural streams
/ dow past the base of the mound, and
trees and flower beds have been ar
ranged with an eye to the greatest
artistic beauty. From the entrance
to the grounds on the south to the
foot of the mound is 500 feet, and
along this distance double driveway
! 175 feet in width has been construct
ed. Between two sides of the drive
way is lagoon which is constantly
filed with fresh water. Long rows of
trees flank the lagoon and the drive
ways.
The mausoleum and grounds have
been built and arranged lat a cost of
100000, and it is the intention of the
commission to raise an endowment
of $4,000 which precludes the
charging of fee for admission.