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Show plulav aa delaras APRIL-MAY 2008 so great? And why would our posterity be guided by inspirations given them though the observing ~ of this Sacred work. The work of a master, educated and forever guided by the greatest educators, dards.” The letter was signed by 18 Moab citizens, including Mayor D.E. Baldwin, Bish Taylor, publisher of the T-I, Sheriff J.B. Skewes, and LDS bishop W.R. McConkie. However, there is no evidence that Willkie ever replied. And then, Albert Christensen’s dreams were blown to bits. On August 28, 1941, just four months after Christensen’s plan was revealed, another Times-Independent article chronicled its startling and sudden demise. The headline, “Unity Monument Passes Into History,” hardly prepared the reader for the bizarre story that followed... professors. Yes the criterion of human excellence. ; Later, Christensen tried to organize his thoughts more succinctly for what appears to be a demand for compensation from the federal government. In a typed document, but addressed to no one in particular, Christensen grappled with the reasons his sculpture had been destroyed. “To me,” he complained, “it was one of the greatest expressions (of unity) because it showed no greediness. It showed only each man’s desire to win, and Americans are that way. Were they out for revenge after the election? I cannot think so.” “To me,” he complained, “it was one of the greatest expressions (of unity) because it showed no greediness. It showed only each man’s desire to win, and Americans are that way. Finally, Albert pleaded, “That my friends and supporters of the Obliterated UNITY MONUMENT, our then Secretary of the Interior Department Shall Never Never be understood by the poverty-stricken Sculptor. I worked with a God Inspired ambition—quite unfair to my family, barely food enough to hold our bodies together-two minor children my wife and myself-because of a God. And a God Inspired obsession....If I had been in error in my filing, it seems the general land office would have tried to explain where I was The Unity Monument near Cane Springs... has been ‘obliterated.’ N.F. Waddell, special agent in charge of the U.S. Division of Investigations, reported last week in Salt Lake City. The Unity Monument near Cane Springs...has been ‘obliterated.’ N.F. Waddell, special agent in charge of the U.S. Division of Investigations, reported last week in Salt Lake ity. Mer Waddell, who explained that the Department of Interior had done the obliterating, commented that ‘some of the work was wrong.’ ‘I believe the eagle was facing the wrong way,’ he remarked. The special agent said the monument, destroyed several weeks ago, had already been damaged by someone before the Department of Interior stepped in. The monument, intended as a gift to the U.S. Department of Grazing, reportedly had the sponsorship of the Department of Interior earlier this year, In explaining the ‘obliteration,’ Mr. Waddell remarked that ‘his department “has certain rules. We don’t give out much information.’ With that strange account, the Unity Monument disappeared from the pages of the Times-Independent. But Albert Christensen would not forget. Recently discovered documents give credibility to stories that Albert never quite recovered from the destruction of his beloved Unity Monument. In long, rambling, hand written notes to himself, Christensen wrote: in error and perhaps attempt to help me straighten the thing out, but they did not.” According to the typed note, Christensen filed a $50,000 claim against the U.S. government, “for the cruelfull act by the Department of the Interior...J pray this allowance for damages from the United States Congress.” There is nothing to suggest he ever received a reply. Some believe that the obliteration of the Unity Monument marked the beginning of an animosity between the federal government and longtime residents of rural Utah that exists to this day. But there is no record of any formal protest by southern Utah residents, other than Albert's demand for compensation and Albert never attempted to revive the Unity Monument plan. - Some believe that the obliteration of the Unity Monument marked the beginning of an animosity between the federal government and longtime residents of rural Utah that exists to this day. He did, however, create a lasting tribute to one of his heros. On the sandstone cliff ad- jacent to Hole n’ the Rock, Albert carved a likeness of FDR that remains to this day. And up the canyon from Albert’s home, the obliterated Unity Monument can still be found. Two nubbins of rock are all that remain of the likenesses. But if you look very closely, Wendell Willkie’s right ear has somehow survived the government vandal's chisel and the passage of time. One thing is certain: Willkie, Roosevelt and Albert Christensen deserved better. I must make clear the things which meant so much to me, the terrible thing which happened to my work before my very range of vision... The ‘Unity Monument’ was not just some chisel marks on the ledge. Indeed it was not. ‘Unity Monument’ spoke out louder and more clearly than the words any great elocutionist could have ever uttered, except Franklin D. Roosevelt, and he was in my opinion, the greatest. However, he. was one of the Great Faces that I was cutting in relief... Why did I begin this work? And why was it SUPPORT ZEPHYR The businesses and individuals are the people who keep PLEASE let them know you _ AND SHOP IF YOU HAVEN'T NOTICED THAT IT’S 2008 ALREADY, YOU NEEDA CALENDAR ~ NOW. 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