Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 April 1893 — ITS STATUE IS CAST. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ITS STATUE IS CAST.

FIGURE FOR INDIANA’S MONUMENT READY. Completed In Chicago—The Colossal Form Will Tower 300 F eet In the Air—Will Be the Finest Martial Memorial In the World. Bnllt at a Cost of 5200.000. The colossal bronze statue of “Indiana” which is to surmount the State soldiers’ monument at Indianapolis has been successfully cast in Chicago. This bronze casting is an ideal female figure, whose dignity of bearing and beauty of form are a credit to the artist. Thirty feet in

height and several *tons in weight—one of the largest and heaviest statues ever cast in America it will stand in its solitude 300 feet in the air, holding a torch in its colossal hand. The monument is being built in Indianapolis at present. The cor-ner-stone laying took place August 22, 1889. That occasion was pronounced the greatest demonstration

ever witnessed in the State. President Harrison and members of his Cabinet were present and made speeches. Gov. Hovey, all the State officials, and the National and State departments of the G. A. R. were present. Special poems were read and campfires held at night. Indiana claimed that when completed its monument would be the noblest structure on the continent and that there would be no soldiers’ monument in the world to equal it. People who have seen the plans say the statement is correct. In Circle Park. The nearly completed monument stands in Circle Park, near tlie Capitol Building. The ground base, including the approaches, is three feet above the grade of the adjacent street. The terrace, 110 feet in diameter, is 12 feet high, and is reached by 24 steps 75 feet in length. The diameter of the base of the pedestal at the terrace floor is 52 feet. Sixty feet above it recedes to 36 feet 6 inches. Here the pedestal is united with the shaft, 25 feet in diameter. Ascending, the shaft diminishes to 12 feet 6 inches at the line beneath the capital, which is 20 feet 6 inches in diam-

eter, and is supported by eagles 7 feet high carved in stone. A balustrade of stone projects four feet above the platform or floor of the capital. This platform is reached by an elevator and 6tairway from the interior of the shaft, and from it the surrounding landscape is seen. On it stands the turret, an iron frame covered with copper, 8 feet square and 19 feet high. Upon this a bronze globe 8 feet in diameter wlli be placed, and on this the stathe, “Indiana,” thirty feet high, will stand. The pose of this figure will make a striking silhouette effect against the sky and its expression from every point of view Is the elation of victory. In it is combined all that is represented beneath. It is the poem of the monument. The 6word, held in the right hand with the point turned down, typifies the power of the army, to which the vic-

tory is due; the young eagle upon the head is emblematic of the freedom resulting from that victory; and the torch, carried aloft in the left hand, is the light of the civilization resulting from that victory and that freedom. Heroic Periods. There are three astragals. The first is twelve feet beneath the capital, and represents on the four sides of the shaft the years of the Mexican and civil wars, being the heroic periods of the State. The second is sevehty-Dine feet below the first, and represents the navy at the period of the civil war. The third astragal is twelve feet below the second, and represents the army by illustrations ©f the arms of the service and other Eight feet above the terrace are platforms for groups of “War" and "Peace." The conception of “War” by the architect, as shown id the sketches upon the eastern panel and sub-jpedestaJ of his model of the roonpaifßtt begins with low and high re-

liefs upon the former, culminating In full projections, one being a winged figure, the Spirit of War, bwsng $ flag and cheering the army in advance and below on to victory; an« other, a mounted cavalryman, only the head of the horse and the arm 6f „a soldier being in full projection aa he charges toward the front. Below, and in advance upon tbe sub-pedes-tal, are the round figures, of somq sixteen feet, completing the group, in various poses, charging over the fallen enemy that is being trampled under theft feet, while in the front-

The group of “Peace” begins in a similar way upon the western panel, on the opposite side of the monument from “War.” In the distance, in low relief, the victorious army is seen marching off the field, while above, projecting from low into high fblief, with arm extended into full projection, and partly over the group below, is the winged Spirit of War again, offering a wreath as a crown for the victors. In the right-rear of the group of round figures, upon the subpedestai Projecting below," are soldiers celebrating their triumph by

cheering; in their front a Union and rebel soldier are fraternizing, the latter in a recumbent position, as though wounded or exhausted, and the former offering him succor; on the right front of the group a soldier Is sitting upon his plow, to which be has returned, with a sheaf of wheat lying in front, while another returned soldier is embracing his wife farther hack. In the front-center Columbia again appears, with extended arm and wand, proclaiming peace. Towers High In Air. The shaft is 270 feet high. The bronze figure, “Indiana,” completes the 400 feet. Bruno Schmitz did the architectural work and brought the plaster model with him from ‘Germany. This' did not Include the Brewster figure at the top. The cost complete will reach $200,000.

“INDIANA."

GROUP ILLUSTRATING PEACE.

center stands Columbia, with right hand raised aloft, as the inspiration of battle.

INDIANA STATE SOLDIERS AND SAILORS' MONUMENT, INDIANAPOLIS.

CROUP ILLUSTRATING WAR.