Democratic Sentinel, Volume 13, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 August 1889 — SOLDIERS’ MONUMENT [ARTICLE]

SOLDIERS’ MONUMENT

A GREAT DAY FOR INDIANA KMAN< Indianapolis Appropriately Decorated for the Occasion which the President Honored by His Presence—ltniueuse TW«ng of People. [lndianapolis Correspondence.] Thursday, the day fixed for the laying es the corner-utone of the great Soldiers’ Monument, was one of the proudest in the history of the city. The fact that President Harrison was present to assist in the exercises, added to the interest. The weather was all that could be asked for. The ample time the merchants had for decorations enabled them to give Indianapolis an appearance it never wore before. Cheap buntings were almost wholly ignored for the richer colors of finer goods. The most elaborate and artistic designs were displayed on the front of every store and every residence. The public buildings were entirely hidden by festoons and flags. In many places were the likenesses of the Presidents, those of Washington, Lincoln, and Benjamin Harrison being in the largest number. President Harrison's residence and yard led all the others in the beauty of the tasteful decorations, while Attorney General Miller’s was also a marvel of good taste. The hotel where Gen. Harrison remained as the guest of the State was a bower of flowers and banners. It was one of the three points of interest, the unfinished monument and President Harrison's homo being the other two points., The city commenced filling up with strangers the early part of the week and each day brought thousands more, until the hotel capacity of the city and all the neighboring towns was taxed to its utmost. Fully 50,000 strangers were in the city. At sunrise Thursday morning the artillery fired a salute which opened the program for the day. During the forenoon the reception committees were busv receiving and entertaining visitors, anil at 12:30 the artillery signal was given for the formation of the various divisions for the procession. The exercises of the day began at 2 o’clock, when the parade formed upder command of Col. C. A. Zollinger, of Fort Wayne, and begun its march through the principal streets. It was made up of the various posts of the G. A. R. from throughout the State, the State militia and local civic organizations. It is estimated that 8,000 were in line. In the second division, commanded by Gen. Nick Ruckle, immediately in the rear of the military, was the escort to President Harrison, 100 strong, all mounted and in command of Col. Oran Perry. Between the sections of escort rode the President in a flagdraped carriage, Mayor Denny and Gov. Hovey with him, The President acknowledged the compliments of the crowd by repeatedly lifting his hat. Attorney-General Miller, Secretary Rusk and Private Secretary Halford were in the next carriage. Then came the monumental commissioners. State officers, city officials, prominent citizens and speakers. The officers of the Woman’s Relief Corps occupied a handsomelydraped carriage. It was nearly 3 when the head of the procession reached the monument. All the streets surrounding it were packed with people, all anxious to catch a glimpse of the President and other prominent personages who appeared on the speaker’s stand to witness the ceremonies. As the President was recognized on the stand he was greeted with a cheer, which be acknowledged with a silent bow. The crowd watched in silence the laying of the corner-stone by Charles M. Travis, commander of the Indiana departmerfl G. A. R. Documents were c&nsigned to their resting place, and the stone was place in position in accordance with the ritual of the G. A. R. In performing the ritual rites, Commander Travis was assisted by officers of the department, and by Presidents respectively, of the Sons of Veterans ana of the Woman’s Relief Corps. When the stone had been placed in position, the national flag was raised and the “star spangled banners” was sung by Mrs. Zelda Seguin-Wallace. The imposing ceremony, whicn was too far within the scaffolding to be clearly appreciated by all, ended with the firing of a salute. Following this Gov. Hovey, as presiding officer of the occasion, made a brief address, and he was followed by Gen. M. D. Manson, of Crawfordsville, and Gen. John Coburn, of Indianapolis. At the conclusion of the latter’s address, President Harrison was introduced to the assemblage, and after the applause which greeted him had ended, he responded in a short address. He was followed by Gep. Rusk, Attorney General Miller, and others.

This ended the exercises of the day, and amid booming cannons and the cheersof thousands the throng dispersed, after seeing Indiana’s monument to its dead heroes fairly started towards completion. The following articles are deposited in the corner-stone: Terrell’s reports; Grand Array of the Republic Reports, badges, ritual, and roster; W. R. C. reports, ritual, and roster; Sous of Veterans’ reports, badges, ritual, and roster; monumental reports and documents since January 1, 1888; photographs and plans for the monument; “Indiana in the War” in two volumes; Loyal Legion reports, first memorial service of the Grand Army of the Republic; reports of original Grand Army of the Republic; minutes of the Legislature which passed the monument bill, and the city papers.