The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1934-05-24


Civil war, perhaps he was quite right, both NOR
ally and estheticay, In Withholding the support
OF his money But II 1t 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.
contributor to the columns of the New York
Times, commenting the words of the philan-
thropist quoted above. pointed out that In MEM
DRY of the men who went through the scourg0
of devastating fire In France there now exists In
American state a magnificent hospital, In
another school, In another auditorium. In
another 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 honorIng the memory Of
her dead heroes consists Of a series Of splendid
buildings grouped around a massive temple
which stands In tho 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.
Nine years ago. In 1925. the first unit Oh the
memorial structure was erected as the home for
the national organization of the American Le-
gion The fact that the nation Wide activities OF
this organization centered here Is another
reason why this memorial Is more than just I
state project, but instead Is one that has spe-
cinl interest for thousands OF Leglonnaires In
every part of the country.
The American Legion building, situated near
the northwest corner Of the Plaza, a magnlf-
Gently plain structure finished In Indiana lime
stone. Is OF Greek architecture and OF freproof
construction. 1t contains four floors and large
snb-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
panion building to be erected at some future
time.
In sunken garden Immediately to the east of
the Legion building Is Indlana'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 tho
following inscription: In MemorIam. James
Bethel Gresham OF Evansville, Indiana Corporal
Co r. 10th Inf list Division, A.E.F. Killed at
Bethelemont, France Nov. 3, 1917. First member
of American Expedltionary Force to lose his
life in action In the World War. 1o17-1o1S"
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 prlvet hedges at the
cops OF the terraces complete the paintings OF
this area Above the garden to the north stands
graceful nag pole S6 feet In height. from which