Rensselaer Republican, Volume 26, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 October 1893 — HISTORIC TRENTON. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HISTORIC TRENTON.

The Famous Battlefield of the Revolution. Unveiling of a Column and Statue la Honor of Waehlagton and the Bevolu- ~ tlonary Heroea. —— ' The battle monument In the city oi Trenton, which was unveiled, Thursday, has for its principal ornament a large bronze statue of Washington, which stands on top of a handsome shaft Ths monument is 150 feet above the Street level, and weighs four million pounds. The shaft alone cost over 960,003. For fifty years the subject of the erection of a monument to commemorate the battle of Trenton has been discussed. It was not until May, 1884, that .matters assumed definite shape. At that time the Trenton Battle Monument Association was formed. An appropriation of 915,003 was secured

from the State of New Jersey, and aftei some delay the Congress of the United States made an appropriation of 930,000, and individual subscriptions to the amount of 915,000 were secured for the proposed monument. Thp bronze statue of Washington at the top of the shaft was presented by the State of New Yerk, through Legislative appropriation, in view of the fact that the New .York troops participated in the battle oi Trenton, which engagement probably decided the fate of the country. Thus it is that New York’s two most distinguished citizens,President Cleveland and Governor Flower, were invited to be present at the dedication, and in addition, the West Point cadets were asKed to attend, and that fifteen governors and their staffs were asked to be present with the cabinet officers at the ceremonies. The shaft in itself commemorates the battle of Trenton, which occurred after the trying events about New York. Washington is represented as he appeared on the morning of Decembei 26, previous to the famous battle. Ground for the monument was broken Sept. 20, 1891. The corner stone was laid with impressive ceremonies on Saturday, Dec. 26,1891, the 115th anniversary of the battle of Trenton.

THE STATUE ON THE MONUMENT.