The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-17

at the Green Street entrance to Fair
mount Park in the City Of Philadel-
phia, and was the result OF a move
ment which began in 1911. The ac-
cumulating subscription had reached
$3.50, 100000 at that time when Profess
sor Rudolph Siemering of Berlin was
called upon to design the monument.
Thirteen steps. symbolical OF the
thirteen Original States OF the Union.
lead up to a pedestal OF granite rich
with carvings and bronze ornamental
ton. On the pedestal stands the
equestrian statue OF Washington
twenty feet high. The entire height
of the monument is forty-four feet.
1t was unveiled in 1897 by President
Mckinley.
Boston has honored Washington by
a splendid equestrian statue designed
by Ball. 1t stands in the Public Gar
den and was paid for by the citizens
of Massachusetts and cost about
S42. 1t was unveiled IN 1862
Richmond. Virginia, has the famous
Houdon statue, and also an unique
equestrian statue by Crawford. This
stands in Capitol Square and has the
figures OF Patrick Henry. George
Mason. Thomas Jefferson. Thomas
Nelson, Andrew Lewis and Chief
Justice Marshall around the pedes-
t. There is a replica Of the Houdon
statue in Lafayette Park, Saint Louis
Several of the small cities have me-
MORALS to Washington OF more or
less interest. but the ones mentioned
above are the most beautiful and
costly
When every relic. every spot and
every house with which Washington's
ha nQmnrfnfan
reverenced and looked after by the
Government, the historical organiza-
lions or public-spirited citizens. one
would think that surely 90 important
q place as the birthplace OF the great
General would be the very last to be
overlooked. But such Is the case
or rather was until year or so ago.
Even now the memorial placed there
at Wakefield. Xa.-is but slightly
imposing. In 1895 Uncle Sam erected
at Wakefield a miniature copy OF the
washington National monument: IL
hears the inscription ''Washington's
birthplace" and at the base, Erect
ed by the United States. A. d. 1895"
Aside from this there IS but scant
marking Of the spot for. despite re-
cent projects for rebuilding the old
mansion of Wakefield itself, the in
difference Of the inhabitants OF the
in years past has made that
work an extremely difncult ard dis
one. There are only a few
Of the original bricks from the old
homestead remaining - and but for
vandais and the lethargy OF people.
who through proximity failed to APP
preciate the value OF what they had.
there might have been a plethora OF
themi
From time to time souvenir hunters
have visited the place and carried on
pieces Of the old bricks that were
brought over from England nearly
.wo centuries ago. There has re-
Gently been put IN place in the old
1urying ground a granite slab in mem
Dry OF Augustine Washington, father
If George Washington. This stone
vas erected by the Society OF the Co
onial Danes OF America.
The memory of washington has
,een honored IN Paris. for a beauti-
ul equestrian statue OF him stands In
he Place d'Jena--a gift to France
rom the United States. II 10 the work
Il Daniel Chester French and repre-
ents Washington standing In his stir
ups with his sword raised high in the
.ir.
Scores OF busts OF Washington, most
Il them copies from Houdon, are to
Re found in public buildings through
ut the country. Portraits too. are
numerous. but the one painted by Gil
ert Stuart which hangs In the Capitol
t Washington is. perhaps. the most
amous. But not only through granite
hats and marble statues Is the an
recitation OF a great people shown for
he Father OF His Country. but his
memory is cherished In the undvinr
nections OF succeeding generations.
ach anxious to Guido the other In
erpetuation Of the invaluable serv-
;es he rendered to a Young ,eo-,f,.
truggling to take a position In tbo
'orld Of nations as a free and inde-
endent country