Morgan County republican., 1914-02-05
LINCOLN'S LIFE MASK
Work of Late Leonard W. VoIk,
Famous Chicago Sculptor.
Made Early In April, 1860, and 10 Now
In the Possession Of the Chicago
Art Institute-eronze Hand
Also Preserved.

TN the south gallery OF the Chicago
Art institute, shielded from dust be-
meath Its glass case, reposes the
bronze life mask OF Abraham Lincoln
from which have been taken thou
sands Of busts and statues for libra
ries. galleries. and public buildings.
1t Is the first life mask ever taken Of
Lincoln. the work of Leonard w. Volk,
the pioneer sculptor OF Chicago, and
was presented by him to the institute
some years before his death.
Alongside the mask lies bronze
hand. an enduring replica of the hand
which in life guided American desti-
MES through the crucial period.
The history Of the taking Of the
mask OF Lincoln, Of the sittings to
Volk In his Chicago studio, and OF the
conversations which relieved the te.
dunn has been preserved In the me-
moirs OF the sculptor and adds to the
great store Of anecdotes Of Lincoln
another page OF intimate personality
and character. This chapter Of Volk's
memoirs has been made available
through the courtesy OF s. Klaber G.
Co., marble workers OF New York, and
OF the Century company, in whose
magazine the memoirs appeared In
1881.
Story Of Sculptor VoIk.
In the memoirs Mr.. Volk told OF
meeting Lincoln in 1858 and of his ar.
rangement in 1860 for the sittings in
his studio.
- returned to Chicago" said Mr..
Volh- land got my studio in the Port
land block in order and began to con-
slider whose bust l should first begin
on In clay when noticed in a morn
Ing paper that Abraham Lincoln was
In town, retained as one OF the coun-
cided to remind him Of his promise
to sit to me made two years before.
shall be glad to give you the sit
tings, When shall l come. and how
long will you need me each time? he
said.
Just after breakfast every morn.
Ing. would he said. suit him best, and
he could remain until court opened at
ten o'clock. l answered that I would
be ready for him the next morning.
Thursday. This was in the early part
Of April. 1860.
"'Very we'll, Mr.. Volk, will be
here. and III go to barber and have
my hair cut before come
insists on Having Hair Cut.
Il requested him not to let the bar.
ber cut 1t too short, and said would
rather he would leave 1t as It was;
but to this he would not consent.
Then. all of sudden. he ran his fin
gers through his hair and said:
mo. cannot come tomorrow, as
I have an engagement with Mr.. W
to 60 to Evanston tomorrow and at
tend an entertainment: but Id rather
come and sit to you for the bust than
60 there and meet a lot of college pro.
fessors and others. all strangers to
me. And will be obliged II you will
60 to Mr.. VS. ONCE now and get
me released from the engagement.
will walt here till you Come back
Mr.. Lincoln looked quite sorry
when I reported to him the failure OF
my mission.
"Well. he said. I suppose must
30. but will come to you Friday
morning -
"He was there promptly-indeed. he
never failed to be on time.
II told him would only take the
measurements Of his head and shoul
ders that time. and next morning
would make a cast Of his face. which
would save him number Of sittings
He stood up against the wall and
made . mark above his head. then