Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-02-20

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encircled by groups of equestrian stat
uary. Over the portico there was to be
colossal statue of Washington in Il
chariot drawn by six horses and driven
by Victory. In after years, as the build
ing began to grow. all of the ornamental
features were abandoned and the tall
shaft was reared to lift its peak to the
clouds in austere unbroken lines.
The corner stone. a block of marble
like the rest of the shaft an almost
perfect cube of over four feet in dmen-
sion, was cut from the quarry at Cockeys-
Vile, near Baltimore, Md. 1t was brought
10 the city by rail and placed upon a
huge truck especially built for its trans
portation to the present site When the
day arrived for its removal 10 the Monu-
ment lot. the people of the city turned
out by thousands. rugged a long rope 10
the truck and proceeded to pull II along.
With the accompaniment of music the
struggling crowds formed the procession
which passed up the Avenue. along the
plank roadway, between the lines of
beautiful poplars which then shaded the
street. Finally they reached 14th street
and turned southwark toward the final
destination OF the stone.
In those days the old canal. which made
an island of South Washington, was
crossed at five different points by bridges,
and at the one that crossed IL al 18th
street the corner stone came to grief
The long lines of men and boys had
passed over the bridge and the heavy
truck was nearing the lower side when
the span gave way and settled. so that
further progress was an imlossibility
y few days later mechanical appliances
were brought from the navy yard and an
apparatus was constructed which lifted
the stone out of its unwelcome bed. on
the 4th of July, 1S4S, the Grand Ledge
of Masons of the District OF Columbia
laid the stone. with most impressive cere-
monies. in the presence of a vast throng
OF distinguished people. The President
of the United States. James X Polk, was
also president OF the monument society,
and the orator of the occasion was
Robert c. Winthrop of Massachusetts
ea-Speaker of the House of Repre-
sentatives. In the massive marble cor
ner stone capacious recess had been
cut and in this. closed with a heavy cop
per plate. was deposited large and
varied collection of documents, MAPS
charts, newspapers, portraits and coins.
The whole world. occidental and orr
entail, had shown its appreciation of the
fame of Washington, and memorial stones
were sent here from all portions of the
globe to be built into the obelisk
The states OF the Union began sending
in their tributes, and the work of con-
struction went on until it had attained
the height of 152 feet, when, the funds
being exhausted. the building stopped
and for twenty years nothing more was
done.
In 1878. when Congress had made an ap-
preparation for its completion. the work
was resumed under the direction of Col.
Thomas L. Casey of the Corps If En-
gineers, T.. s. \. y thorough investi.a-
ton OF the condition Of the shaft Resulted
in the reinforcing of the foundation Is
increasing the depth from twenty to
thirty-eight feet, and the eightv-foot
uhi fh.a aSr xn .y-
tended to 13til. feet From this time on,
under national supervision, the structure
continued to grow until In December
1854, the capstone and metal tip were set
in place.
SATURDAY, February II, 1856, the dedica-
ton ceremonies were carried out in a most
solemn and imposing manner, as the fol-
lowing program. clipped from paper OF
that date, Will show:
THE ceremonies at the base of the Monument
will commence precisely At IL o'clock. and ill
Il. The Hon John sherman a senator from
Ohio chairman Of rhe commission authorized by
the joint resolution OF May % 1884. will preside.
Church. Alexandria. Va.
-. Remarks by W. ". Corcoran. esq. the first
vice president Of the Washington National Monu-
IS Masonic ceremonies by the Grand Lodge OF
g. Remarks by Col T. L: Casey. the engineer
Of the joint commission delivering the Monu-
hent 10 the fresiutut
II. Dedication Of the Monument 10 the name
and memory OF George Washington by the
President 81 the United States
IS. Music.
The procession will forthwith be formed and
will move the Capitol by the following route:
Through the Presidents square TO 18th street,
mp nth street 10 Pennsylvania avenue thence
along Pennsylvania avenue 10 the Capitol. where
IL will be reviewed by the President OF the
United States from stand at the east front.
.. After the review the procession will be
dismissed.
when the procession begins to move salutes
of 100 guns will he fred the navy yard. the
artillery headquarters and Fort Myer. The pro-
ceedings which take place above were re-
hearsed yesterday, and occupied exactly thirty
minutes Fifteen minutes will be taken in get
ting the procession In motion, and by 80
O'Clock, 1t ID now believed. the President will