WASHINGTON STATUE

The Times, Trenton, Friday, April 26, 1889
A Statute for the Park
Councilman Whitaker and Hill went to Philadelphia yesterday, and purchased the marble statue of Washington, which was on exhibition at the Centennial and afterwards stood in Fairmount Park. The Statue is fourteen feet in height, weighs ten tons and was cut from a single block of white Italian marble, and was brought to the Centennial for exhibition. It was offered for sale for $10,000 at that time, but filed to find a purchaser. There were no bidders yesterday, but the Trenton Councilmen, and they bought it for $300. Five minutes later some gentleman arrived to buy it for Washington and Lee University, and they were authorized to bid it up to $1000. It is to be paid for by private subscription. Tomorrow this purchase on the part of the Trenton Councilmen will be confirmed in court unless a man names Huston, representing the Washington and Lee University, at Alexandria, Va. shall interfere. He claims that he understood the time of sale to be twelve o'clock and that when he reached the auction room it was over, and he was prepared to give $1,000 for the statue. Councilman Hill states that they have paid for the statue in full and have the auctioneer's receipt for it. It will be delivered next week by the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company.

Daily True American April 26, 1889
Councilman Whitaker and Hill went to Philadelphia yesterday and purchased the marble statue of Washington which was on exhibitation at the Centennial and afterwards stood in Fairmount Park. It is to be paid for by subscriptions and already nearly enough money had been promised. It will be placed on a high knoll in the western end of the park in such a manner that the face would be turned towards the spot whre Washington crossed the Delaware in 1776. The statue is fourteen feet in height, weighs ten tons and was cut from a single block of white Italian marbler and was brought to the Centennial for exhibition. It was offered for sale for $10,000 at that time but failed to find a purchaser. At the close of the exhibition the statue was placed in Fairmount Park, and while negotiations were pending for its sale the owner died, when it was stored in a Philadelphia marble yard. The estate was never settled up until recently, when the Court of Common Please ordered a sale. The Park Committee was notified of the fact, and Councilman Lawton offered a resolution that the city purchase the statue, but it was lost. A private subscription was soon started. There were no bidders yesterday, but the Trenton Councilmen, and they bought it for $300. Five minutes later some gentlemen arrived to buy it for Washington and Lee University, and they were authorized to bid up to $1,000. It will be brought to this city, free of charge by the Philadelphia and Reading railroad. The statue is carved in the attitude in which Washington is represented in Leutze's famous painting of him while crossing the Delaware, which is now in the Capitol at Washington. He wears an upturned hat, folded cloak and carries a field glass. The base of the statue is shaped like the prow of a boat.

Daily State Gazette, April 26, 1889
A Statue for the Park
Trenton Secures "Washington Crossing the Delaware"
Trenton is to have the big marble statue of Washington that was exhibited at the Centennial and that stood in Fairmount Park for several years. It will probably be paid for by the city officers and given to the city without expense to be put in the new park. The statue has had an eventful history. It is of heroic size, stands 14 feet high, weighs ten tons as it stands and is cut from one single block of pure white Italian marble. It was brought to the Centennial and offered for sale for $10,000 but was not sold. It was too big for anything but a park or some public use. After the Centennial it was left in Fairmount Park, and while negotiations for sale were pending, the owner died, when it was stored in a Philadelphia marble yard. His estate was badly in debt and has never been settled until the present year. The Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia ordered a sale and the proceeds paid in to Court. The Park Committee in Trenton was notified, and Councilman Lawton, Chairman of the Park Committee, offered a resolution to purchase it out of park funds. The resolution was defeated, but several members of Council who voted against the resolution offered to subscribe to pay had the cost. At the sale yesterday, there were no bidders except Councilman Whittaker and Hill, of this city, and the statue was sold to them for the nominal sum of $300. One other bidder declined to bid against Trenton, saying it ought to comer here, because of its appropriateness. Five minutes after the sale a gentleman arrived to buy it for Washington and Lee University of Virginia. He was authorized to bid $1,000 but it was too late. The statue is to be brought to Trenton by the Reading railroad free of expense. When it comes it will likely be put on a high knoll at the western end of the park, so that it will show to advantage, and in such a position that it will face toward the spot where Washington crossed the Delaware in 1776. The artist has carved the statue representing Washington standing in the attitude as he is painted in Leutze's famous painting of "Washington Crossing the Delaware," which is now in the Capitol at Washington. He wears the upturned hat, the folded cloak, and in his hand carries a field-glass. The base of the statue is shaped like the prow of the boat. The statue evidently has some merit, for the block of marble was worth $1,000 before a chisel was put to it, and it cost at least another $1,000 to bring it to this country, but it was Too big and too expensive for many purposes, and Trenton just gets it by a series of accidents, and without cost to the taxpayers. There is a movement on foot among the Germans in Chambers burg to raise a fund to erect a statue of John A. Roebling in the Tenth Ward square. In that event, the square will probably be called Roebling park.

Weekly State Gazette April 27, 1889
A Centennial Suggestion
The city of Trenton has long felt as though it would like to do honor in some appropriate and enduring way to the memory of Washington, The achievements and fame of the Father of His Country are linked with the name of Trenton by some of the most notable and interesting events in his career, and it is fitting that there should be here some permanent memorial of the immortal George. The large marble statue of Washington crossing the Delaware has just been secured for the new park. This park overlooks the scene of some of Washington's greatest and imperishable deeds. Why would it not be well to name this park "Washington Park?" No spot in or about Trenton could be more appropriately given the name. It seems to us that the suggestion should commend itself to the favorable consideration of our citizens. It would perfectly meet the desire of Trenton to permanently preserve the name of Washington in some local memorial, and would in very way be in keeping with the eternal fitness of things. Then, to still further respect the idea, let the main road to the park be name Washington avenue. We offer this suggestion now as appropriate to these Centennial days.
Inscriptions on base of statue:
This statue which was carved in Italy and first exhibited at the centennial exposition was purchased and presented to the city by the mayor, the common council and other officials of the city of Trenton in the year 1889.
Enterprise Council No. 6
Mercer Council No. 50
Commodore Perry Council No. 80
Nathan Hale Council No. 89
Trenton Council No. 90
Century Council No. 100
This pedestal was erected by the Jr. O. U. A. M. and presented to the city of Trenton October 12, 1892.
Accepted by his honor Daniel J. Bechtel, Mayor of the City of Trenton on behalf of the city and the Park Commission
Park Commissioners
W. Holt Apgar, President
John J. Cleary
Henry F. Smith
Jonathon Coxon, Sr.
Charles J,. Woerner

Daily State Gazette, Wednesday, February 3, 1892
Common council Meeting
The Statue of George Washington to be erected by the Jr. O. U. A. M.
The statue of George Washington which was purchased in Philadelphia three years ago, is at last to be unboxed and placed in position in the Cadwalder Park. Last evening a meeting of the Junior Order United American Mechanics was held in Room 14 of the City Hall for the purpose of arriving at an agreement and perfecting plans for the building of a pedestal on which the statue should stand in the park. The plan of the pedestal was adopted by the committee, and permission to erect the same was granted by Council to the Jr. O. U. A. M. by the passage of the following resolution: Whereas, The several Councils of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, located in this city, have petitioned the Park Committee of Common Council for the sole and exclusive right and privilege at their own expense, of furnishing and erected the pedestal for the mounting of the statue of George Washington in Cadwalder Park; and Whereas the public spirit thus manifested by these councils deserves commendation; therefor be it Resolved, That such privilege be granted them, upon condition that such pedestal shall be erected within one year from date and that the plans and specifications for such work first be submitted to and be approved by the Park Committee of the Common Council. The resolution was signed by Lewis Lawton, Joseph I. Midwood, B. B. Covert and J. W. Barber of the committee.

The Trenton Times, Tuesday afternoon, April 18, 1892
Monument Dedication
The Unveiling of the Washington Monument in Cadwalder Park This Afternoon - The Parade
The Washington Monument in Cadwalder Park will be unveiled this afternoon. The full program of the exercises which will begin at the park at about 4 o'clock, will be as follows: Selection, band, prayer, Rev. C. H. Elder, Wesley M. E. Church: singing "America", unveiling address, Rev. George B. Wight, of Millville, formerly of this city, and member Trenton Council No. 9, singing "Red, White and Blue", acceptance of the monument on behalf of the city, Mayor Daniel J. Bechtel; selection, band. The parade which formed on Warren Street, south of State, and marched to the Five Points, thence to Broad, to Perry, to Clinton Avenue, to State and to the Park was a very creditable affair. It included the following organizations: Enterprise Council No. 6, with band; Mercer Council No., 50 with drum corps; Commodore Perry Council No. 80; Nathan Hale Council No. 89, with drum corps; Trenton Council No. 90; Union Council No. 31, of Rahway, with drum corps; Resolution Council No. 6, of Philadelphia; Robert Morris Council No. 41, of Germantown, with band of twenty-four pieces; Freedom Council No. 116, of Glendola, N. J.; Bayard Post No. 8, G. A. R., Ferd. Dayton Post No. 105, Sons of Veterans, the various local councils of the Patriotic Order Sons of America. The Board of Education, the Mayor and Common Council and the Park Commissioners had also places in the procession. The City Troop acted as escort.

Daily State Gazette, Apr. 19, 1892
Washington Monument Parade and Unveiling Ceremonies at Cadwalder Park
The Washington Monument at Cadwalder Park was unveiled yesterday afternoon with impressive exercises, under the auspices of the Trenton Councils of the Junior Order United American Mechanics. Before going to the park there was a parade through the principal streets of the city. Caleb T. Houston was chief marshal. The procession formed at State and Warren streets about three o'clock. The divisions were made up as follows: First division - City Troop, Washington Monument t Committee, band, Enterprise Council No. 6, drum corps; Mercer Council No. 50; Commodore Perry Council No. 80 drum corps; Nathan Hale Council No. 89; Trenton Council No. 90; Century Council No. 100. Second Division - Band; Robert Morris Council No. 41, of Germantown, drum corps; Union Council No 31, of Rahway; Resolution council No. 6 of Philadelphia; Freedom Council No. 116, of Glendola; delegation from various councils. Third Division - Band, Bayard Post No. 8, G. A. r.; Ferd Dayton Camp No. 6, P. O. S. of A.; Washington Camp No. 7, P. O. S. of A.; Washington Camp No. 14, P. O. S. of A; Washington Camp No. 16, P. O. S. of A.; Washington Camp No. 17, P. O. S. of A. In coaches were Rev. George B. Wight, of Millville, formerly of Trenton; Rev. C. H. Elder of Wesley M. R. Church; Rev. Judson Conklin of Clinton Avenue Baptist Church, Mayor D. J. Bechtel, City Comptroller Briest, President Gardner H. Cain and members of Common Council, City Tax Receiver Marjoram and PArk Commissioners W. Holt Apgar and Harry P. Smith. The aides to Chief Marshal Houston were Gilbert D. Laird, of Mercer Council No. 50, First division; Oscar W. Bond, Mercer Council, No. 50; Second division; Abner C. Sutton, Commodore Perry Council No. 80, Third division. The parade proceeded over the following route. Up Warren to Battle Monument, Broad street to Perry, to North Clinton avenue to State, to the Park. It was about five o'clock when the exercises began at the park, where a crowd had assembled. The monument is situated on the hill toward the southwest. It was draped by a large American flag. A platform was erected nearby from which the addresses were delivered. George W. Mac Farland was Master of Ceremonies. Rev. C. H. Rider offered a fervent and patriotic prayer, after which Rev. George B. Wight delivered the unveiling address. He referred to General Washington's career as a soldier and to his wonderful successes in conducting his battles. Washington met all exigencies. The 232,000 Continentals commandeered by him would make a respectable showing for an army today. This great army was held together by his matchless energy. Washington had many things to contend with and did not have his own way. Washington was always cool in all his arrangements for a battle. Before the Battle of Trenton, Lord Cornwallis, who commanded the British forces, stated that he had "bagged his game." Washington, however, drove the enemy into Pennsylvania. Stonewall Jackson never surpassed Washington in the celerity of moving an army. Lord Cornwallis acknowledged at Yorktown that Washington's management of the Battle of Trenton was never surpassed by any commander. Modern history cannot show a General equal to him. Washington's farewell address was delivered while the great "father of his country" was thinking and pondering over America's future. In all the political clamor of today it would repay all to study carefully Washington's address. He never accepted one cent for his services to the colonies. His patriotism was true. Today a great statue is unveiled to his memory. The Stars and Stripes should not be prevented from being the symbol of our national life. All citizens should continue to teach and spread the truths of American history. The flag will be forever the emblem of our Union. At the close of Rev. Mr. Wight's address, Fred F. C. Woodward of the City Troop, rendered several bugle calls. Four little girls dressed in white and holding small flags were placed on the base of the monument. The band played patriotic airs. Mayor Bechtel, in accepting the statue on behalf of the city, said he considered it an honor to receive it because it was seen? as the respect and appreciation of American citizens. The event will be recorded as very important in the history of Trenton. In closing, the Mayor thought it was appropriately unveiled so near the 100th anniversary of the city, which occurs on November 13th next. The monument was the formerly unveiled, while the audience cheered. The exercises then ended and the paraders and crowd returned to the city.

April 19, 1892
The Monument Unveiled
A Splendid Parade and an Interesting Ceremony in the Park
The Washington Monument in Cadwalder Park was unveiled and dedicated yesterday with appropriate exercises. About 1 o'clock the various Councils of the Order of American Mechanics that were to take part in the exercises began massing their forces on Warren Street, preparatory to the parade. At 2:30 o'clock in the afternoon, the parade moved up Warren Street to the Five Points, then along Broad to Perry, down Perry to Clinton Avenue to State Street and thence to the Park. In the parade were the following organizations: Enterprise Council No. 6, with band; Mercer Council No. 50 with drum corps; Commodore Perry Council No. 80; Nathan Hale Council No. 89 with drum corps; Trenton Council No. 90; Union Council No. 31, of Rahway, with corps Resolution Council, No. 6 of Philadelphia; Robert Morris council, No. 41, of Germantown, with band of twenty-four pieces; Freedom council, No. 116, of Glendola, N. J.; Bayard Post, No. 8, G. A. R.; Ferd V. Dayton Post No. 105, Sons of Veterans; the various local councils of the Patriotic Order Sons of America. The Board of Education, the Mayor and Common Council and the Park Commissioners in carriages had places in the procession also. The City Troop acted as escort. On arriving at the Park the Band played a National air after which the Rev. C. H. Elder, pastor of the Wesley M. E. Church, made a prayer. The song, "America" was then rendered. At its close, the monument was unveiled, and Rev. George B. Wright, of Millville, made an address. At its conclusion, the members of Trenton Council No. 9, [sang] that well known patriotic song "red, White and Blue." His Honor, Mayor D. J. Bechtel in an eloquent and appropriate speech, accepted the monument on behalf of the city. A selection by the band brought the exercises to a close.

The Evening Times, Friday, January 16, 1976
The statue of George Washington in Cadwalder Park soon will have a new home in a $125,000 plaza being built next to the Douglass House on Montgomery Street. City officials plan to pay $12,000 to move Washington to his new pedestal. Plans call for the move to be made in a ceremonial parade similar to the moving of the Philadelphia Liberty Bell.

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