 During a meeting at the Masonic Temple on North Kickapoo on Monday
evening, discussion began about the best material for replacement.
Considered were bronze, some type of stone or marble. It was noted
that bronze would hold up better than stone.
Initial rough cost estimates were $80,000 for bronze and
somewhere in the low to mid-$20,000 range for stone or marble
replacement.
It was unanimously decided that the statue should be as close to
the original as possible; therefore, stone would be used.
Bill Donath, president of the Logan County Genealogical and
Historical Society, said that the Illinois Historical Society gave
the go-ahead for the county society to handle the fund drive to
restore the monument. He added that the Illinois Historical Society
has no funds to offer toward the project.
The Logan County Genealogical and Historical Society is a
nonprofit, which would allow donations to be tax-deductible. Donath
would open a savings and money market account at CEFCU to handle
donations.
Paul Gleason agreed to contact Midwest artisans to inspect the
remains of the monument and ask for recommendations as to what can
be saved and what needs to be replaced.
Several committee members commented that the quality of the
artisan's work was as important as the final cost of the
restoration. They will seek further advice from artisans and other
professional sources on what stone or marble will be best suited to
withstand the Illinois winters.
Donath said that he has continued to add to the original list of
those who died in the Great War as well as having compiled a list of
those who served. He recommended that the additional names be
included on a wall on the second floor of the courthouse to give
recognition to all those who served from Logan County.
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The monument dedicated to the men who died in the Civil War was
unveiled by then-Gov. Richard J. Oglesby in 1869. Throughout the
years the marble deteriorated on the statue.
On Dec. 27, 2008, heavy winds finally felled the top of the
25-foot monument. The old soldier smashed to pieces on the
courthouse walkway.
Because of the age of the statue, county insurance did not cover
the damage, leaving it up to the community to replace one of our
oldest icons of the early days of Logan County. The committee
formed. When the project is complete and the monument is restored,
the statue would be turned back over to the county.
While the letting out of quotes for replacement has only just
begun, anyone interested in donating can send their check to the
Logan County Genealogical and Historical Society, 114 N. Chicago
St., Lincoln, IL 62656. Checks should have a notation on them that
they are for the restoration of the statue.
It is hoped to have some information and quotes from artisans as
well as examples of their work available by the next committee
meeting on June 8. The location for the meeting is to be determined.
[By
MIKE FAK]
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