Ohio History Journal

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McKINLEY MONUMENT

McKINLEY MONUMENT.

 

 

DEDICATED SEPTEMBER 30, 1907.

 

Soon after the tragic death of President William McKinley

many leading citizens of the nation such as Senator Hanna,

Justice Day, Governor Herrick, Hon. George B. Cortelyou and

other prominent state and national officials united in the organ-

ization of The McKinley National Memorial Association. The

purpose was the erection at Canton, Ohio, of a monument suit-

able to the memory of the beloved and noble President. Sub-

scriptions poured in from all parts of the country and the asso-

ciation raised through voluntary contributions more than $600,-

000; a result eloquently attesting the abiding and deep hold the

late President had in the hearts of his countrymen. And here

it is appropriate to state that already more monuments have been

erected to the memory of McKinley than to any one of the other

presidents, including Washington and Lincoln. Of this munifi-

cent sum $100,000 was set aside as a permanent fund to be used

in the maintenance of the monument and its surroundings. Thus

about one-half a million dollars was at the disposal of the officers

of the association and the monument committee for the securing

of designs and the execution thereof. The selecting committee

secured the assistance of an advisory commission consisting of

the architects Robert Peabody, of Boston, and Walter Cook, of

New York, and Daniel Chester French, the distinguished sculptor

of the "Minute Man" and other famous American figures. Many

architects and artists submitted plans for the mausoleum. The

award was conferred upon H. Van Buren Magonigle, of New

York. The corner stone was laid with imposing ceremonies on

November 16, 1905. There are many monuments in various

parts of the world, vaster in size and more ornate and costly,

but none, to our mind, in which are so happily combined the ele-

ments of simplicity, dignity and purity; elements so eminently

Vol. XVII-15.        (225)