Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 June 1896 — KING OF BELLS. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

KING OF BELLS.

Monstrous Mass of Metal Which Welcomed the Czar to Moscow. The great bell whose booming thunder announced the opening of the coronation festivities in Moscow is the striking thing within the Kremlin. It 18 in the Cathedral of the Assumption, where the coronation took place. It rests at the base of the great Ivan tower, 825 feet in height, and is called the "King of Bells.” It resemblea a huge tent of bronze when it is approached. Its weight Is 444,000 pounds. Within this bell, whose walls are two' feet thick, forty people can assemble

at one time. In fact, its cavity has been used as a chapel. It was cast as long ago as 1730, and the great gap In Its side was made soon after the mass of metal cooled. This fracture was due to a flaw made, It is believed, by the jewelry, coin and precious metal thrown Into the liquid by the ladles of the city. The piece which fell out weighed eleven tons, and this accident practically ruined the work. Through the aperture thus left a tall man may pass without stooping. In the tower near it hang not less than thirty-six bells, two of which are silver. The largest in the tower weighs 130,000 pounds.

THE "KING OF BELLS.”