Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1910-04-14
Location Of the Runsey Monument


Now that the Runseyan Society has
announced that II viii push the preliHli-
nary work looking 10 the erection IN Shep-
herdstown OF monument 10 the memory
of lanes Rumsey, inventor of The steam
boat. our people are showing good deal
of interest in the project, especially as to
the site where the proposed memorial
shall be located. Some 5000 VIII be
available for the erection OF monument
and fine work incident thereto, the Legs
lature having appropriated $3.50 for the
purpose, part OF which has been bearing
interest.
Several years ago the society decided
10 build fhe monument upon the Jagged
peak ofrock overlooking the Potomac al
the point where the old railroad bridge
crossed the river, and the small piece OF
land necessary was bought from the rail-
road company for s125. A number OF
persons thought al the time that II was
mistake 10 select such an inaccessible and
out-of-fhe- way spot for an object OF an
such as If was supposed would be de-
signed, and the lapse OF years has con-
firned this opinion. The editor OF the
Register privately opposed the location
AZ the time II was selected. We believed
then that II was 4 serious mistake, and
we are impelled now 10 utter our strong
protest. in which We are joined by many
OF our people, against forever perpetua-
ing a blunder. The cliff site has, IN our
opinion, but one thing in IFS favor, and that
is the sentimental view that II overlooks
the river where Rumsey made his expert
meut. The location IS practically out OF
town, and II would be waste OF money
10 erect there a memorial OF artistic beauty,
for comparatively few persons would ever
see II. The surroundings are unattractlye
and the fact that the railroad company IN
tends 10 establish stock yards immediate
" adjoining the place would make the
environment positively offensive
The site selected is an unsighty peak
Of shattered and Jagged rock, the remains
Of an abandonded quarry, upon which,
perhaps, a couple Of thousand dollars
would have 10 be spent 10 make II secure
and approachable. II a beautiful park
could be provided there as setting Tor
the monument, the proposition would
have merit, but this is not even remote
probability.
The proper site Tor the monument, we
think, Is right in the town, in the CEN
tral and beautiful spot at the corner OF
German and King streets, on the elevated
lawn that so charmlngly surrounds that
artistic piece Of architecture originally
donated 10 the people Of ShepherdStown
BY Mr.. Shepherd. This site belongs TO
the town. and will forever be under the
control OF the town trustees. A work Of
art there would be seen and appreciated
by every resident and every visitor. As
Z correspondent Of the Register so well
said in our last issue, il would here be an
ever-present lesson 10 the youth OF the
community. Il would be constant re-
minder OF the name and achievement Of
Rumsey. II would SO inspire community
pride that other artistic Improvements
would folIow-indeed, We have already
heard Of z couple Of projects OF tht same
son that depend upon the wise apprecia-
ton OF the people for such adornment.
Here, too, on the towns property, II
would be always protected and cared Tor,
while on the river cliff if would be al the
mercy Of every strolling vandal. In seT-
ing as useful lesson and as an object OF
local or national pride, II would DC notic-
ed daily BY thousand persons in the one
spot, while on the other II would not be
seen a dozen times in 4 week.
Under the law appropriating the money
for erection OF the monument, II IS the duty
OF the Governor Of the State 10 designate
the place where II shall be located. Gov
ernor Glasscock has signified his intention
Of comingto Shepherdstown for that pu1-
pose the latter part Of this month. We
hope that or people may impress upon
him the great desirability Of locating the
monument at the beautiful and accessible
and appropriate spot al the public SCARE
10 which We have referred. An artistic
bronze statue al this place would properly
perpetuate Rumsey's fame, be always a
source Of pride 10 our people, and reflect
credit upon those whose wisdom should
be responsible for IFS location here. We
earnestly urge the Governor 10 designate
thir cite fnr the rr1ernnriai