Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 104, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 September 1899 — VIRGIN'S STATUE IN ALPS. [ARTICLE]

VIRGIN'S STATUE IN ALPS.

Colossal Image > culptnred by Italy's Queen Dedicated. Thousands of people Tuesday climbed Mont Rocca Melone, one of the highest peaks in the Alps, to attend the dedication of a colossal statue of the Virgin erected on the amount through the contribution of 10,000 children and sculptured .by Queen Margaret herself. The royal princes were among those present at the ceremony. On the base of the statue is an inscription by the Pope praying the Virgin to guard the frontier of Italy. The statue commemorates what is regarded as an act of divine intervention. About two years ago, a company of Alpine militia were marching over Rocca Melone when an avalanche started and buried them in snow. Assistance waß summoned and all of the entombed men were rescued. All Italy was moved by the incident.