Group raising money for statues to commemorate Lincoln-Douglas debate

JONESBORO, Ill. -- A Southern Illinois historic preservation group wants to raise $100,000 or more erect statues to commemorate the Lincoln-Douglas debate that occurred in Jonesboro on Sept. 15, 1858.

The group, Promoting Appreciation of Structural Treasures or PAST, wants to have two life-size, bronze statutes sculpted depicting Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas. The statues would be erected at Lincoln Memorial Park in Jonesboro, the site of the famous debate.

The group also wants to erect interpretive signs and a "Walk Where Lincoln Walked" trail leading from Jonesboro Square to the park.

"Douglas got a ride in a fancy carriage, but Lincoln walked," said Linda Hileman of Cobden, Ill., who co-chairs the sesquicentennial committee of PAST.

Other possible projects include establishment of an interpretive center and local high school debates as part of Illinois' sesquicentennial celebration in September 2008 of the Lincoln-Douglas debates.

Campaigning for election to the U.S. Senate, Lincoln and Douglas held seven debates across Illinois starting Aug. 21 and ending Oct. 15, 1858.

The debates propelled Lincoln into national prominence and ultimately to the presidency.

Hileman said the Jonesboro area needs to celebrate its part in history. "It is our claim to fame," she said of the political debate.

Makanda, Ill., sculptor Tom Allen has agreed to create the statues at a cost of $68,000. "That was about half-price," Hileman said.

The group hopes to secure donations and possibly grants. "We are asking our legislators to help," she said.

A kick-off dinner will be held Feb. 16 to begin raising money to fund the commemoration projects. Doors at Great Boars of Fire Lodge in Anna, Ill., will open at 6 p.m. The buffet dinner will be at 7 p.m.

Dr. John Y. Simon, who teaches courses on the Civil War, Reconstruction and Illinois history at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, will be the featured speaker.

Simon served as the local commentator for the 1994 C-SPAN cable television channel re-enactment of the debate.

The dinner will include a silent auction of books and other items related to Southern Illinois history and the Lincoln-Douglas debates.

Reservations for the dinner must be made by phone or e-mail by Monday, Linda Hileman said. The cost is $25 per person and is tax-deductible, she said.

To make reservations, e-mail Hileman at hileman1@midwest.net or call (618) 833-8745.

mbliss@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123