White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1929-03-15
BEHEADED STATUE OF
KING MUCH ABUSED
Shaft Attacked BY 1rishmen
Since 1901.

Dublin.-When party Of men re-
Gently cut the head from the eques-
trian statue of William III that
stands near the Bank Of Ireland In
this city they accomplished the wish
of at least one of their predecessors
in the DETACHMENT of monument
which has been the object of attacks
ever since it was erected first on the
Dublin college green in 17O1. ITO
chronicle all of the mishaps of this
statue" says the Historian Chambers
in recounting some of them, "would
require volume" He sets down the
story of Watty Cox and some of Cox's
fOrerunners and successors who have
directed their attacks toward the like
ness Of the "hook nosed Nassau"
Cox was an eccentric. For many
years the editor Of the Irish Maya
zine, he was man of varied talents.
Before becoming an editor he had
been gunsmith and was expert in
the use of tools. He was annoyed
by the statue of the English king
who had secured the "predominance
Of the Protestant religion in Ireland"
and one dark night tried to file off
the monarch's head.
Iron Foils Attempt.
Perhaps he knew that under the
coating of lead the statue was Of
iron; perhaps he did not. At any
rate the iron "foiled" his attempt !;
and the head was left on the statue
for other Irishmen better equipped to
take off-just 100 years after Cox's
failure.
Attempts to destroy or to dismem-
Der the statue began soon after it
was set up. Many people took, it
seems, an instant dislike for it-not
only Catholics, but Professionals. The
college boys in particular had, toward
it a feeling of hostility, because, it
was said, ut turned its tail upon the
university" We are told that "des-
pite all magisterial denunciations not
withstanding," incessant maltreat-
ment and indignities were put upon
it. On June q, 1910, sit was found
to have been feloniously robbed of
it's regal sword and martial baton"
This robbery was too gross an Of
Tense to be overlooked by the author
tiles, who offered reward of f100
for the discovery of the culprits.
Money brought them to book; and
three students Of Trinity college were
consecutively accused, tried and con-
demned to suffer six months impris-
onment, to pay fine of f100 each
and to be carried to College green,
there to stand before the statue for
half an hour with this inscription on
| their breasts: II stand here for de-
facing the statue of our glorious de-
liverer, the late King William"
On account Of their loss of pros
poets by expulsion from the college.
however, and loss of health by i'm.
prisonment in dungeon, the latter
part of their sentence was RENTED
and the fine reduced TO five shillings
In 1904 the kings birthday fell or
Sunday. On the Saturday night pre-.
ceding, the Waterman on the College
| green was accosted by man, seem
| ingly painter" Chambers relates, who
stated that he had been sent by the
| city authorities to decorate the statue
for the approaching festivities, "add-
ing that the apprehended violence of
the disaffected portion of the popu-
lace rendered it advisable to have
the work done BY night,
Waterman Aids Painter.
"The unsuspecting Waterman as.
sisted the painter in mounting the
statue, and the latter piled his brush
most industriously for some time
Then, descending, he coolly requested
the Waterman to keep an eye to his
painting utensils while he went to his
masters house for more colors. The
night passed away without the re-
turn Of the painter, and at daybreah
on Sunday morning the statue was
found to be completely covered. with
an unctuous black pigment composed
of grease and tar; while the bucket
that had contained the mixture was
suspended by halter fixed around
the insulted monarch's neck"
But the browning catastrophe came
to the statue in 1886. zone midnight
in April Of that year the statue blew
up with terrific explosion, smash
ing and extinguishing the lamps neal
by. The body was blown in one di
rection, the broken arms and legs II
another, and the wretched horse, tina,
had suffered so many previous in
juries, was shattered to pieces.
Again a reward was offered for the
perpetrators, but 1t failed to bring
them to light.
The statue was repaired and placed
In Its aid position.