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$136.550. He was to build the foundation during the year 1869, and the superstructure by January 1, 1871. The Association agreed to pay Mr. Richardson the sum above named, and for the purpose designated, by monthly estimates as the work progressed, fifteen per cent of which was to be withheld until the work was completed according to contract, when the total amount remaining should be paid. Mr. Richardson gave ample security, under a penalty of $50,000, for the faithful performance of the contract on his part.

CHAPTER XXIV.

Arrangements having been previously made, the Board of Directors held a special meeting in Oak Ridge Cemetery, September 9, 1869. After calling the roll, a brief but fervent prayer was offered by Rev. Albert Hale, invoking God's blessing on the work they were about to commence. The president of the Association being absent, the vice president, Hon. Jesse K. Dubois, at the request of the board, made the following statement of the financial condition of the Association:

U. S. 5-20 bonds, on special deposit with J. Bunn.... $66,300 00 Premium on said bonds, at present value...

Cash in bank..

Notes on individuals....

13,260 00

2,023 46

80 00

Illinois State bonds, on special deposit with J. Bunn.. 17,000 00
Illinois State appropriation...

Estimated value of cannon donated by Congress...
Paid to Larkin G. Mead on contract for statuary..

Total assets.

50,000 00

5,000 00

5,000 00

.$158,663 46

Mr. Dubois also made a statement of all the contracts entered into by the Association, in consequence of which the following liabilities were incurred:

To W. D. Richardson, for building monument.

To Larkin G. Mead, for statute of Lincoln and coat of

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.$136,550 00

15,200 00

$151,750 00

$6,913 46

$136.550. He was to build the foundation during the year 1869, and the superstructure by January 1, 1871. The Association agreed to pay Mr. Richardson the sum above named, and for the purpose designated, by monthly estimates as the work progressed, fifteen per cent of which was to be withheld until the work was completed according to contract, when the total amount remaining should be paid. Mr. Richardson gave ample security, under a penalty of $50,000, for the faithful performance of the contract on his part.

CHAPTER XXIV.

Arrangements having been previously made, the Board of Directors held a special meeting in Oak Ridge Cemetery, September 9, 1869. After calling the roll, a brief but fervent prayer was offered by Rev. Albert Hale, invoking God's blessing on the work they were about to commence. The president of the Association being absent, the vice president, Hon. Jesse K. Dubois, at the request of the board, made the following statement of the financial condition of the Association:

U. S. 5-20 bonds, on special deposit with J. Bunn.... $66,300 00 Premium on said bonds, at present value..

Cash in bank..

Notes on individuals....

13,260 00

2,023 46

80 00

Illinois State bouds, on special deposit with J. Bunn.. 17,000 00

Illinois State appropriation..........

Estimated value of cannon donated by Congress...

Paid to Larkin G. Mead on contract for statuary.

Total assets.

50,000 00

5,000 00

5,000 00

$158,663 46

Mr. Dubois also made a statement of all the contracts entered into by the Association, in consequence of which the following liabilities were incurred:

To W. D. Richardson, for building monument.

......

To Larkin G. Mead, for statute of Lincoln and coat of

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$136,550 00

15,200 00

$151,750 00

$6,913 46

Mr. Dubois said that, if no misfortune befel the Association, it could, by January 1, 1871, have the monument completed, except the four groups of statuary, and be out of debt, with a small balance in the treasury. He expressed the hope that the American people, or separate States or cities, would furnish the means to pay for the remaining groups of statuary, that the monument might stand complete and symmetrical, a fitting emblem of the character and virtues of the man it was designed to honor.

Vice President Dubois closed his statement by saying: "In obedience to the order of your board, and to testify their and my approbation of all that has been done, it is my pleasure now to begin the work, by throwing out the first shovelful of earth."

Mr. Richardson had his materials on the ground, and before winter closed in, had the foundation completed, doing all his contract required for the year 1869.

When the work was about to commence, the Association reorganized its Executive Committee, so that it was composed of the Hon. John T. Stuart, Jacob Bunn and John Williams.

Mr. Stuart, as previously intimated, was the preceptor of Abraham Lincoln, in the study of the law, and furnished him the library for that purpose. They were also partners in practice from 1837 to 1840, when the partnership was dissolved, in consequence of Mr. Stuart being elected to a seat in the United States House of Representatives.

I shall now endeavor to describe the monument. The excavation for the central part, or that on which the main shaft rises, is twenty-three and a half feet deep, and seventeen feet square. The bottom of the excavation is filled with concrete, the whole seventeen fect square, to the depth of eight feet. (See Fig. 7.) On this concrete, the whole seventeen feet is built up square with solid masonry of block stone, to a height of thirtynine feet and four inches. The stone is all dressed

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