The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1934-05-25

Civil war, perhaps he was quite right both NOR
ally and esthetically, in Withholding the support
Of his money. But if it was proposed to erect
a memorial of the kind that several states have
built to honor the memory of their World war
heroes since 1919, then perhaps his refusal Is
open to criticism.
A contributor to the columns of the New York
Times, commenting on the words Of the philan-
thropist quoted above pointed out that in men,
DRY of the men who "went through the scourge
of devastating fire in France, there now exists in
one American state magnificent hospital, in
another a school, in another an auditorium, in
another a shrine all of which owe their con-
struction to the spirit of dedication the desire
to perpetuate the memory of the dead, as the
dead themselves would have it-not in cold
stones but in some vital and inspirational con-
tribution to the living"
The shrine to which he refers is in Indiana
where. the project for honorng the memory of
her dead heroes consists Of a series Of splendid
buildings grouped around massive temple
which stands In the center of plaza that is
spread down like long strip of carpet, five
blocks long and one block wide. through the
center Of her state capital, Indianapolis. Back
of this project is the plan to provide for future
generations a park in the heart of the city,
breathing space with grass, trees, shrubbery and
beautiful buildings as relief from the rush
and hustle of the busy thoroughfares.
The history of the Indiana World war memo
rial goes back to 1920 when the general assem-
bly, authorized the levy of tax Of six-tenths
of a cent on each hundred dollars valuation Of
property in the state for period of II years
to provide funds for the erection Of such
memorial.
Next the governor appointed board of trus-
tees who outlined the program upon which was
based a nationwide competition for choice of an
hair milo no
selection of the architects in 1923 the work got
under way and in 1925 the first unit of the
memorial structure was erected as the home for
the national organization Of the American Lee
gion. The fact that the nationwide activities OF
this organization are conferred here Is another
reason why this memorial is more than just
state project, but instead is one that has spe-
cial interest for thousands Of Legionnaires in
every part of the country.
The American Legion building situated near
the northwest corner Of the Plaza, magnif-
Gently plain structure finished in Indiana lime
stone is Of Greek architecture and of ireproof
construction. 1t contains four floors and large
sub-basement and houses both the national and
state organizations Of the American Legion and
their auxiliaries. Space has been provided near
the northeast corner of the Plaza for COM
panion building to be erected at some future
time.
~
the Legion building is Indiana's tribute to her
war dead and known as Cenotaph square. On
floor Of red and dark green granite sits the
Cenotaph Of black granite. On the north and
south sides Of this tomb is the following inscrip-
ton: "A tribute by Indiana to the hallowed
memory Of the Glorious Dead who served In the
World War;" On the north side of the Ceno-
taph In the floor is bronze plaque with the
following inscription: 'In Memoriam. James
Bethel Gresham, of Evansville, Indiana, Corporal
Co. r. 18th Inf. 1st Division, A.EF. Killed at
Bethelemont, France. Nov. 8. 1917 First member
of American Expeditionary Force to lose his
life In action In the World War, 1917-1918."
At the four corners are majestic columns also
Of black granite surmounted by eagles Of gold.
The base Is surrounded by grass with pine shrub
berry at the corners. The elm trees at the corners
of this sunken garden and privet hedges at the
tops OF the terraces complete the paintings OF
this area. Above the garden to the north stands