Gilpin observer., 1909-07-29

ready in place and is nearing completion Its
base is a huge square of Stone with smaller
stones superimposed to that the ascent to the
statue proper will be by a succession of steps.
though 1t is perhaps needless to say that the
pedestal will not be given over to the uses Of
a stairway. At each corner of the base there
is lion couchant The beasts have been
shrouded to keep their bronze beauty hidden
from the eyes of the multitude until the day
comes to show the memorial in its completion.
The union general will be shown mounted
on one of his favorte horses. 1t is said that
the model of the horse shows lines that
as near perfection as art can make them. II
the generals mount is as spirited and effec-
tive the bronze horse shown in the memo
rial to Gen. Thomas Thomas circle in this
city 1t will leave nothing to be desired The
horse of Gen. Thomas is said to be the most
perfect creature ever cast in metal.
The commission which had in charge the
memorial to Gen. Grant had many difficulties
to overcome before site was selected. There
was great objection to the placing of the
atue in the Botanical garden. which is d.
rectly across the street from the grounds of
the capitol at the Pennsylvania avenue corner
where the peace monument stands. The
Washington people like the people in many
other cities of the country. do not take kindly
to the erection of stone and bronze memorials
In what may be called the public pleasure
grounds They want them all to be placed in
tions Of the streets and avenues of the city.
After many meetings and after listening to
many protests, the site in the Botanical garden
was chosen and approved. In order to make
room for the statue two magnificent elms had
to be removed. The people mourned the loss
Of the elms. or rather mourned their prospec
tive loss. for it was decided to transplant the
trees, tremendous undertaking, but one that
finally accomplished. II is too early yet
10 tell whether the transplantetd elms will live
Or die in their new beds
It has often been a source of wonder that
no statue Of Gen. Grant appears in the Memo
rial hall of the capitol. where each state has
memorials of two of its representative sons
or It ought to be said daughters. for wom-
an appears in Memorial hall in marble
Grant was born in Ohio. but he went to
the from Gaena. Ill, and his first COM
mand during the early days Of civil strife was
an Illinois regiment. Lincoln is also claimed
by Illinois. but the legislature of the state In
selecting persons to be honored in Memorial
hall at the capitol chose Gen. James A. Shields
and Miss Willard, who was the president OF
the Woman's Christian Temperance Union.
In short time Virginia will place in Me-
mortal nall a statue of Gen. Robert Il. Lee
There have been those who have thought
and said that both Lee and Grant. the two
great commanders in the civil war, should
have places In Memorial hall. but neither
Ohio the place of Grants birth. nor Illinois,
the place of his adoption. has seen fit to honor
him the chances are that his statue never will
find place In the hall, which once was used
as the assembly place of the representatives
of congress and which is now given over to