USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Rindge > Cathedral of the Pines : a place of worship for all people > Part 2
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When the Stones were all assembled Susan and Genevieve Doran assisted in the plan of arrangement for their placing in the Altar. Phil Yon, from the next- door town of Fitzwilliam, was engaged to cut the Old Rugged Cross, which Sandy's brothers, Douglas and John, gave in memory of their brother.
Franklin C. McCoy, in charge of one of the electronic laboratories at M.I.T., was retained to assemble the public address system for the Cathedral and his efforts have received commendation from all who have attended any of the Services. L. Louis Stebbins of Rindge, assisted in in- stalling this equipment and from then on has loyally volunteered his efficient serv- ices in operating the P. A. System at Ves- per Services. Mrs. Stebbins has charge of the Transcribed recordings. Ernest A. Hale donated the first hymn books and
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CATHEDRAL OF THE PINES
.CO.
EMAL
Photo by Bernice B. Perry
BENCH-MAKING "BEE" FOR CATHEDRAL OF THE PINES
Left to Right: Sidney B. Fitzgerald, Harold H. Rice (kneeling), Charles Royce, Seth Cleaves, Marshall Danforth, Leo MacInnis, Jack Sloane, Louis Stebbins, Doug Sloane IV, Ralph Pangborn, Don Smith, Ray Hammond. (Not shown but present Doug B. Coates, Selectman; Ed Brummer, F. W. Taft, Jr., and Carl Converse.)
"Row on row beneath the pines of Halo Hill the wooden benches stand, augmented this year to accommodate the larger numbers of worshippers - augmented by a volunteer carpenter- ing bee that was in its conception and execution snugly within the Cathedral tradition of labor and materials and moneys and devotion freely given with- out solicitation.
Row on row beneath the pines, during sunlight and dark, in heat and cold, in rain and mist and wind and caressing fair weather, the growing battalion of benches stands as evidence that men have not lost faith, that they do recognize the true signs pointing to the path of return and that in spite of new communiques and new casualty lists they have not forgotten those to whose memory the shrine is dedicated."
Excerpt from editorial Fitchburg Sentinel - Aug. 19, 1950.
anthem music for the choirs to use. Mr. Hale also donated the first recordings. He has been present at and made the announcements for every Vesper Service held in the Cathedral. The Baptist Church of Winchendon, Mass., donated benches for the choir's use. The Selectmen of Rindge had the power lines installed. Val and Bruce Wetmore gave the Park- way cable to bring the power under- ground to the "control" house. Grace Seale gave the flag pole and Dr. Hartley Thayer, of Newtonville, Mass., the first flag. Marcus Cleaves and Harry Whitney made the first plank benches. Later, many more were added and in 1951, at an old-fashioned "Bee", friends and neighbors volunteered their help in putting together 200 more benches.
Sandy's aunt, Mrs. Robert B. M. Cook, and his cousin, W. Bolton Cook,
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CATHEDRAL OF THE PINES
-
Photo by Bernice B. Perry
GOVERNOR SHERMAN ADAMS
Giving address at S.A.R. Service, Sept. 8, 1947.
gave the altar rail. John C. Conley, his three sons and a nephew, assisted in pre- paring the foundation for this appoint- ment.
Although the Appointments were not ready for use, the first Easter Sunrise Service in the Cathedral was conducted at 4:45 Easter morning, 1946, by the Rev. Arthur L. Mansure, Methodist, as- sisted by the Rev. Roger W. Floyd, Baptist. The morning was clear but bit- terly cold yet over 100 townspeople and friends from surrounding towns were present.
The first Service in the Cathedral of the Pines using the Altar and Pulpit was held July 4th, 1946, under the auspices of the New Hampshire Society of the Sons of the American Revolution with Judge Jason Sawyer presiding. Its State Chap- lain, the Reverend Sheafe Walker, con- ducted the religious Service and patriotic addresses were given by Congressman (later Governor) Sherman Adams, State Senator Charles M. Mills and Col. Albert S. Baker. Two of the ushers at this Serv- ice were Seth Cleaves and Arthur Wetherbee. Both have officiated in this
capacity for every Service since then.
The Service of dedication of the Ca- thedral of the Pines to Almighty God as a place of worship for all people and a memorial to Lt. Sanderson Sloane was conducted July 14th, 1946, by the Rev. Dr. H. Robert Smith, St. John's Episco- pal Church, Gloucester, Mass. Mrs. Ernest A. Hale, Director of Music for the Cathedral since its beginning, ar- ranged for the first of several appearances of the Monadnock Choral Society, un- der the able direction of Kenneth Jewett, to lead the singing. Mr. Jewett not only led the singing but loaned his foot-pump organ on which Mrs. L. Louis Stebbins accompanied the choir. At this Service, Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Flagg, Miss Eula Ferguson, and Mr. and Mrs. Harold Rice, began their loyal and devoted help to the Cathedral.
Through the summer Vesper Services were held every Sunday afternoon at 4 o'clock. Interest in the Cathedral was being evidenced by persons in all sec- tions of America and in many foreign countries. Continually increasing num- bers of persons visited The Knoll and at- tended Services. Mr. and Mrs. Sloane at
VENERABLE WILLIAM F. BULKLEY, D.D.
Archdeacon of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Chaplain General of the National Society, Sons of the American Revolution, holding the Deed of Trust.
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CATHEDRAL OF THE PINES
this time decided to give the Cathedral property with its appointments and the parking field to the Cathedral of the Pines Trust, to be maintained and per- petuated as a place of worship for all peo- ple.
On September 8th, the Venerable Archdeacon William F. Bulkley, of Salt Lake City, Utah, Chaplain General of the
Work of clearing, cutting, burning, continued around the Knoll for the rest of the Fall, through much of the winter and into the Spring of 1947. The Lec- tern, a memorial to the boys who were with Sandy on the bomber, was built. Incorporated into it are soils from the battlefields of World War II, collected and contributed by Kenneth E. Crouch
Photo by Bernice B. Perry
BISHOP CHARLES F. HALL The Clergy and combined choirs from parishes of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire.
National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, dedicated the "Altar of the Nations" as "a memorial to the World War II Dead of New Hampshire and as a shrine of the So- ciety." Judge Smith L. Moulter spoke. At this Service, Douglas and John Sloane, on behalf of their parents, presented the Trust Agreement. This instrument is recorded in the Cheshire County Reg- istry, Keene, N. H.
of Bedford, Virginia, and stones from all parts of the world, many of them me- morials to other boys who lost their lives. The choir mound was built by Konsta Pentilla, Alfred Todd and Joseph Butter- field. The organ pit was constructed by "Old" John and "Young" John Crosby, and Seth Cleaves, to house the Ham- mond Organ given by Mrs. Sloane as a memorial to her father and mother, Ed- win Nash Sanderson and Sarah Rogers
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CATHEDRAL OF THE PINES
1337 x7
Photos by Bernice B. Perry
The Torah is the most sacred possession of the Jew. It is the scroll of parchment on which are written the first five books of the Bible, Genesis through Deuteronomy, a "Sedra" or portion of which is read each week in the Synagogue.
The Aron-ha-Kodesh is the chest in which the Torah is housed. It is referred to as the Holy Ark, after the Ark of the Covenant in the ancient Tabernacle and Temple. Instructions for the building of the Holy Ark and the placing therein of the "Tables of the Law" are described in Deuteronomy, Chapter 10. By appropriate coincidence, Chapter 10 of Deuteronomy is the precise portion of the Torah which was to be read in all synagogues the week of the dedication, and was read at the dedication by Dr. Lawrence W. Schwartz, Rabbi of the Jewish Community Center, White Plains, New York.
In early times, the Holy Ark was generally a moveable piece of furniture so that in case of danger in the Ghetto, it could be moved readily with its sacred contents. This particular Holy Ark is an authentic replica of the Ark of the Law found in an old synagogue in Modena, Italy, dated 1505 of the Christian Era.
Upon its arrival at the Cathedral of the Pines, this Appointment was divided into two sections. The upper section is the Ark in which is the Scroll. This Ark centers the Altar of the Nation during the Jewish Service. The lower section is fitted with a hinged table-top and stands in front of the Altar to serve as a Reading Table upon which the Scroll rests while the weekly portion, or Sedra, is read.
Sanderson. These appointments were dedicated by the Rev. Dr. H. Robert Smith, June 22nd, the first Service held in 1947.
At the Jewish Service conducted by Rabbi David Max Eichorn, August 1st, 1947, the bronze Star of David was pre- sented to the Cathedral Trustees to be used at this and on all similar occasions, through the gracious efforts of Lazarus Aaronson and Morton Rose.
The Aron-ha-Kodesh and Torah were presented to the Cathedral of the Pines by Charles A. Gottesman of White Plains, New York, and dedicated by Rabbi Lawrence W. Schwartz, of the Jewish Community Center, White Plains,
Photo by Bernice B. Perry
Left to Right: RABBI ROLAND B. GITTLESOHN, CHARLES A. GOTTESMAN, RABBI LAWRENCE W. SCHWARTZ
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CATHEDRAL OF THE PINES
N. Y., at the Jewish Service on August 6, 1950, to the Glory of God in sacred memory of the four heroic chaplains who were drowned when the transport Dor- chester was torpedoed off Greenland dur- ing World War II. They were:
George L. Fox, Protestant Minister Clark V. Poling, Protestant Minister John P. Washington, Catholic Priest
mount the Holy Ark, on which are carved the Ten Commandments, is the gift of neighboring Jewish friends of the Cathedral of the Pines.
At the first Anniversary Service by the Sons of the American Revolution of the dedication of the Altar of the Nation, held September 7th, 1947, the Reverend Dr. A. Vincent Bennett conducted the
Removal of the TORAH from the ARON-HA-KODESH by Dr. ERIC I. LOWENTHAL, RABBI CONGREGATION AGUDAS ACHIM, assisted by Dr. Edward Moses of Med- ford, Mass., and Paul Rose of Gardner, Mass.
Alexander D. Goode, Jewish Rabbi
The dedicatory sermon was given by Rabbi Roland B. Gittlesohn of the Cen- tral Synagogue of Nassau County, Rock- ville Centre, Long Island, New York.
The Reading Table cover is the gift of the Toy Town Tailleurs of Winchen- don, Mass., and was designed and made by Mr. Louis Weinstein of that firm.
The Tables of the Law which sur-
religious Service and rededicated the Altar as a memorial to the American War Dead of World War II. President Gen- eral of the National Society, S.A.R., A. Herbert Foreman, of Norfolk, Va., gave the address. Shortly after this Serv- ice the Boulder was placed.
Because of the request by many people from all parts of our country at the Ves- per Service August 13, 1950, the Rev-
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CATHEDRAL OF THE PINES
Professor Solomon Gregory Braslavsky, of Boston, Mass., with Jewish Choir
erend Dr. Henry Sloane Coffin of New York rededicated the Altar as a memorial to all of the American War Dead.
The Rev. Richard Stoughton, Jr., minister of the East Jaffrey Congrega- tional Church conducted the first mar- riage Service in the Cathedral, uniting Priscilla Baird Allord to David Ely, and the first Service of Baptism on The Knoll, christening Lloyd Jerome Kerr. Reverend Stoughton also conducted the first funeral Service here.
From time to time the Stones as tributes from the Commanding Officers of America's Armed Forces have been incorporated into the Altar of the Nation.
Aug. 4, 1951, the Schulmerich Caril- lonic Chimes were presented and dedi- cated at a special Service by the Kiwanis Clubs of New England.
" ,The silk American National Flag in Hilltop House was given by Mr. and Mrs. Edmund J. Saunders of Greenfield, Mass., as a memorial for their son, 1st Lt. John C. Saunders, Pilot of a B-24 Bomber, member of the 445th Bombard- ment Group in the 8th Army Air Corps, shot down at Magdeburg, Germany.
This, then, is the story of the begin- ning of The Cathedral of the Pines. Vesper Services have been conducted by 31 different religious denominations,
Catholic, Jewish and Protestant. Congre- gations at every Service have been per- sons representing many faiths. The Salva- tion Army of New England, the Ameri- can Legion, the V. F. W., the Amvets, the Gold Star Mothers, the Grange, the D. A. R., the S. A. R., and many young peoples religious groups, have conducted religious and patriotic Services here. The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints has not only conducted their Services here but also has graciously and generously supplied the Cathedral with
DON SMITH and RAY HAMMOND
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CATHEDRAL OF THE PINES
transcribed recordings of the organ and choir music from their Tabernacle in Salt Lake City. Great Choral Societies, choirs, singers, musicians, together with the Clergy, have volunteered their services before the memorial to all of the Ameri- can War Dead - the Altar of the Na- tion. Organ Recitals are given regularly.
It is estimated that over 600,000 per- sons visited the Cathedral during the first six seasons of operation. They came
from every State of the Union and from all parts of the world.
No collections have been taken at any of the Services or organ recitals. There has been no charge for parking. No men- tion has been made of the need of main- tenance support. Voluntary support has come through contributions left in a box marked for that purpose and from those who wish to forward the "Cathedral Project".
-
-
Photo by Bernice B. Perry
REV. DR. HENRY SLOANE COFFIN
Rededicating the Altar of the Nation as a Memorial to ALL the American War Dead.
"When any church will inscribe over its altar, as the sole quali- fication for membership, the Savior's condensed statement of the substance of both Law and Gospel, 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind, and thy neighbor as thyself', that church will I join with all my heart and with all my soul."
A. Lincoln
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What Hath God Wrought?
Insurance policies were taken out on Doug and Sandy when they began play- ing football for Newton High School. Doug accepted his policy when he reached his majority. When Sandy reached his 21st birthday he said, when offered his policy: "You've been paying the premiums and if you'll continue to do so I'll appreciate the policy just so much more later on." It was the money from this policy which was used to begin the work in the Cathedral of the Pines.
Even though the Sloanes deposited money on deal, hired two lawyers to clear title to Cape Cod property, they were not able to acquire it.
They did not know "The Knoll", with its stand of pines was part of the Hale property when they decided to purchase "Interlaken".
Photo by Bernice B. Perry
ROBERT STANLEY ROSS, C.S. Christian Science Lecturer, of New York.
They did not want to purchase prop- erty in New Hampshire.
*
No one knew of the view from The Knoll before the hurricane of 1938.
Man was not responsible for planning the perpetuation of the view undis- turbed and for the quietness essential in a place of worship.
*
A child had designated the grounds of the Cathedral "God's Pines" long be- fore the Sloanes knew of Rindge.
Sandy's choice of a site for his home is where The Boulder is placed. Had Sandy come home (in body) the Cathe- dral of the Pines would not have been.
JOHN RANDALL DUNN, C.S.B.
Readers at the Christian Science Services in the Cathedral have been John Randall Dunn, C.S.B., Helen Chaffee Elwell, C.S., Harry C. Browne, C.S., Marguerite Little Young, C.S., and Howard Steele, Committee on Publications for the State of New Hampshire. The first Lecture was given by Miss Margaret Morrison, C.S.
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CATHEDRAL OF THE PINES
Heard or Seen in the Cathedral of the Pines
"There's something about the Cathedral - I can't explain - I don't know - I feel God is here."
"I never expect to get nearer to Heaven in this world."
"I think many of the Curious will visit the Cathedral and the spark of devotion to God which has been dormant will be rekindled."
.
"As a Professor, vitally interested in public relations for probably our outstanding Technical Institute, I say this is the nearest approach to the correct solution of the BIG PROBLEM."
.
A clean-cut, blond, blue-eyed young pilot officer in the uniform of the U.S. Air Corps on a brief furlough from an assignment in Greece - "This is so right."
"You should be so proud of your efforts." "No, not proud, just humbly grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of being of service."
Photo by Bernice B. Perry
REV. DR. JAMES ROBINSON Church of the Master, New York City, officiating at services, July 29, 1951
"When I look over this scene my troubles, which have seemed so big, fade away."
A tremendous young man, tall, broad shoul- dered and in the uniform of a Paratrooper, in a bellowing voice which demanded atten- tion - "I wish the United Nations would meet here!" A slight pause. "There'd - be - no - more - vetoes!"
.
A tiny Miss, maybe all of five years of age, suddenly spying the Cross on the Altar of the Nation, without hesitation and regardless of the numbers of visitors in the Cathedral, im- mediately going to the Altar rail, kneeling directly before the Cross, blessing herself and with bowed head, closed eyes and hands together reverently extended towards the Cross in prayer.
.
The tall, erect, white-haired octogenarian retired Reverend, his coat slung over his shoulder, coming through The Pines, stop- ping, staring at the Altar and its setting, then slowly proceeding to the Altar rail where, simply as a child, he knelt in prayer.
Photo by Bernice B. Perry
WILLIAM C. HANDY
Noted blind Author, Musician and Composer ("St. Louis Blues"), rendering Negro Spiritual solo at service, July 29, 1951
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Photo by Raymond St. George
The Altar of the Nation
Dedicated to the Glory of God in grateful memory of all the American War dead and as a shrine of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution from whose State Societies have come many of the 48 State Stones which are a part of the Altar and which symbolize the unity and strength of a grateful people proud of their heritage and determined, with God's help, to perpetuate the aims and ideals of the forefathers as expressed in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States of America and the Bill of Rights.
The Old Rugged Cross of New Hampshire granite, the New Hampshire State Stone, is dedicated to the Glory of God and was given in loving and grateful memory of Sanderson Sloane by his brothers, Douglas and John.
E. - General and Mrs. George C. Marshall's stone came from their home, "Dodona Manor" in Leesburg, Virginia. This stone is a memorial to Allen Tupper Brown, Mrs. Marshall's son, killed in action at Anzio; and the Chief of Staff's tribute to all who served America in World War II.
C. - General Douglas MacArthur's stone came from the Atsugi Airfield in Japan where he landed August 30, 1945 to oc- cupy that Country. It is General Mac- Arthur's tribute to all who served with him in the Pacific Area.
D. - Admiral Chester W. Nimitz's stone, with the navy colors of blue and gold, came from California and is his tribute to the personnel of the U. S. Navy who served in World War II.
B. - General Dwight D. Eisenhower had this stone taken from the foundation walls of his boyhood home in Abilene, Kansas. It is his tribute to those who served with him in the European Theatre.
F. - General Omar N. Bradley's stone came from the grounds of Quarters #1 of Fort Myer, Virginia, the old and historic home of the Chief of Staff of the Army. Fort Myer is adjacent to the Arlington Na- tional Cemetery. The Fort furnishes the ceremonial units which participate in the funerals in the Arlington National Ceme- tery and it is in the Chapel at Fort Myer that Services are held prior to interment. The Stone is the tribute by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to all who served in Korca.
G. - General Matthew B. Ridgway's trib- ute to "the valiant defenders of freedom in Korca." Stone taken from gate in wall around Suwon, Korca.
A. - General James H. Doolittle picked up this stone from the flying field of the Royal Aircraft Establishment in South Farnsboro, Hants, England, and sent it as his tribute to the men of the Air Corps.
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CATHEDRAL OF THE PINES
27
13A) (22A) (2B )32 (27) 36A) 31 TRAY 14
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0
49
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8
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H
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CHART OF STONES IN ALTAR
H. Donor: Milo Farmer
Stone: Flagstone laid by George Wash- ington at Mt. Vernon.
1. ALABAMA
Alabama Society, S.A.R., Montgomery, Alabama. Files Crenshaw, President and Wylie Strickland.
Stone: White Marble.
Story : This specimen came from Sylacauga, Alabama.
2. ARIZONA
Alfred Knight, Compatriot, Ohio Society, S.A.R., Phoenix, Arizona.
Stone: Granite Block.
Story: From Granite Mountain. Material from this quarry was used to build the Mormon Temple.
2A. ARIZONA
Venerable William F. Bulkley, Chaplain General, National Society, S.A.R., Salt Lake City, Utah.
Stone: Petrified Wood.
Story: Rare specimen, crystal quartz center, came from Fredonia, Arizona.
2B. ARIZONA
John Sloane, Compatriot, Col. Nathan Hale Chapter, S.A.R., N. H.
Stone: Petrified Wood.
Story: This specimen was picked up by Sanderson Sloane near the Petrified Forest in Arizona.
3. ARKANSAS
The Arkansas Society, S.A.R., Conway, Arkansas. Mason E. Mitchell, Secretary. Stone: Pebble with cross.
Story: This pebble is an Indian "totem" from Conway, where it was dug out of an Indian Mound.
4. CALIFORNIA
The California Society, S.A.R., San Fran- cisco, California. George L. Gary, President.
Stone: Quartz.
Story: A specimen of gold quartz from the out-cropping of the Mother Lode of Cali- fornia at the Harvard Mine near Jamestown, Tuolumne County, California.
4A. CALIFORNIA
Mrs. Josiah Abram Zoller, Hermosa Beach, California, in memory of her nephew, Sanderson Sloane.
Stone: Red Lava.
Story: This stone is incorporated into the Altar because of "Sandy's" interest in the Mojave Desert. This stone came from Red Rock Canyon in the Mojave Desert. Near where this stone was found, the survivors of the Manly party, early day explorers of Death Valley, first reached civilization. This rock was found in the area which saw some of the last bitter Indian fighting in California. The point where this rock was discovered is about equidistant between Mount Whitney, the highest elevation in the United States and Badwater, located in Death Valley, the lowest point in the U. S. A. 5. COLORADO
Colorado Society, S.A.R., Denver, Colo- rado. Edward Milligan, Historian and Regis- trar; G. S. Barnes, Historical Committee.
Stone: Sandstone, native red.
Story: Taken from site of Araphoe City, organized six days after Denver. An early placer mining camp, now a ghost town.
6. CONNECTICUT
The Connecticut Society, S.A.R., Water- bury, Connecticut. Robert W. Lovell,
44
23
21
28
9
18
24
A
-
17
15
56
4'
42
44
50
1
LA
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CATHEDRAL OF THE PINES
Secretary and Compatriot Adrian L. Mulloy.
Stone: Silica from the Southford Quarry.
Story : Rose Quartz, formerly ground fine to tint paint.
7. DELAWARE
Delaware Society, S.A.R., Wilmington, Delaware. Thomas Cooch, Compatriot.
Stone: Native field stone with impregna- tions.
Story: Taken from battlefield of Battle of Cooch's Bridge. Battle took place Sept. 3rd, 1777 and was the only battle of the Revolution which took place in Delaware. At this battle the Stars and Stripes were un- furled for the first time. It was the opening engagement of the Battle of Brandywine. 8. FLORIDA
The Florida Society, S.A.R., Pensacola, Florida. John H. Cross, Secretary; Compa- triot Millard Caldwell, Governor of the State of Florida; and A. S. Herlong.
Stone: Phosphorus rock with fossil forma- tion.
Story: This stone came from Leesburg.
9. GEORGIA
Georgia Society, S.A.R., Atlanta, Georgia. Walter W. Sheffield, Secretary.
Stone: Granite Block.
Story: A chip of the carving begun on Stone Mountain by Gutson Borglum.
10. IDAHO
The Idaho Society, S.A.R., Boise, Idaho. W. D. Vincent, Secretary.
Stone: Petrified Wood.
Story: This stone was taken from a large deposit of petrified wood near the site of the early capitol of Idaho, now a "ghost town" known as Idaho City. The population of this town in 1861 was more than 10,000. It is now 100. It is estimated that one hundred million dollars in gold nuggets was taken out of the mountains and valleys in the locality of Idaho City. This gold did much to finance the Civil War. Many of the tragedies and crimes of the Old West were enacted close by in the mining "diggins."
11. ILLINOIS
Illinois Society, S.A.R., Chicago, Illinois. Walter I. Deffenbaugh, Secretary.
Stone: Sandstone.
Story: This stone is common in and around Chicago.
12. INDIANA
The Indiana Society, S.A.R., Indianapolis, Indiana. Franklin L. Burdette, Secretary.
Stone: Indiana Limestone.
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