The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-08-05
Planned to Make Lincoln MOnu.
ment Most Elaborate.
G. A. r. Will Head $4,000
Movement at Once.
SCHOOL PUPILS HELP
Every Child in Kansas Ex-
pected TO Contribute.
Commander RickeI Making Elk
tensiVe Plans.


coin costing in the neighborhood OF
$4,000 viii be erected in Topeka within
q. short time is the assured news given
out at the state house by Commander
J. H. .Rickel, of the Grand Army of the
Republic. There was a talk some time
ago Of erecting a $4,000 statue to Lin
coin, the same to be donated to the
state by the G. A. r.. but the plans
have been changed and Commander
Rickel said this morning that he saw
no reason why a mammoth monument
could not be erected by the citizens of
the state combined with the G. A. r.
The idea originated with the Lincoln
post NO. %, of Chanute. Kan, and they
suggested to Commander Ricl1el that
the G. A. r. erect such q statue. 1t
was thought by the Chanutc post that
it should be placed inside of the Me-
moral blu ldirg which is to be built
in a short time. However, the COM
mander thought of the idea of placing
ii on the corner of Tenth avenue and
Jackson. Just southwest of the main
building and making it much larger and
more imposing.
This plan mas received the general
approval of the people over the state
and Commander RickeI said this morn
ing that he had received so many APP
peals from those outside the G. A. r.
requesting that they be allowed 20 con-
tribute that he has devised a scheme
Of receiving a general subscription and
erect a monument that will represent
the spirit, the pride and he patriotism
o. the people of the state.
Although the plans for the campaign
have not been completed the prelimi-
iiaries ana general outline have been
drawn Up
1t is planned to first send out a cir
cular letter over the state to the Of
ficers of the posts. the members of the
school boards and all of the newspa-
pers. The members of the Grand Army
posts will receive instructions from
their commanders, presidents, adj
jutants and quartermasters and spread
the spirit of the movement. They viii
be expected to respond to an assess
ment of at least so cents each them
selves and be the prime factors in the
creation of an interest in their home
cities.
The school boards will bring the mat
ter up before the children and each
school child will be asked to contribute
his penny or nickel. This will give
them a personal interest in the monu-
ment and the life and works of he
man who has done so much for Kan
saS" said Commander Rickel this
morning. "A thing like this is just
what is needed to give the school chill
dren enthusiasm and patriotism"
Then it is thought that a number OF
different Kansas societies will be will
ing to add to the fund. There are nun
dreds of secret and public societies
some of them have written asking that
they might make their donations.
The newspapers will be asked to
publish the circular letter in full and !
give it as much publicity as possible |
I'VE realize the value of the press ia |
every way said the commander this |
morning. land we feel that If they are
in this movement the peo- |
pie of the state will be"
Commander Rickel will appoint a !
commission to receive the contribu- |
tions This commission will be COM |
posed OF three members from the G.
A. r. and two civilians They viii be /
required 70 give bonds |
and carry the fund out in a business
like manner The commission will be J
of men who have their
hearts in the work and they will not
receive a salary of any kind.
About the first of September the
circular letters will be sent out over
Kansas and meanwhile the command
err of the G.. A. r. will be ready to
receive suggestions from anyone.
The plans and specifications have
not been secured and not until nu-
numerous inquiries have been made
and the opinion of the state archi-
tect has been consulted, will anything
be given out.