[MassHistPres] ALERT!! Stolen Monument!!

[JonBlmrl at aol.com]

The bronze cannon sculpture has been stolen from atop the seven foot tall  
Sumner H. Needham granite monument located in the Bellevue cemetery, Lawrence,  
Mass.  The Theft occurred, we believe, Monday night, the ninth of  October.
 
The sculpture consists of two bronze cannon measuring about 2.5 feet,  
crossed at a 90 degree angle and joined in at the center by a bronze pin and  weld.
 
The sculpture was installed in 2002 as a replacement for the original which  
was went missing perhaps fifty years ago.
 
Sumner Needham was a man like so many others who happened to be in the  
military and died for the cause for which he was fighting.  By historical  account 
and by the first hand record of the pastor who laid him in the grave,  Mr. 
Needham had the unfortunate distinction and honor of being the first to  die in 
the Civil War of the United States.
 
The monument was erected by the city as a permenent remembrance of the  loss, 
the cause for which he died.
 
The cannon were pried from their mooring, dropped to the ground and  rolled 
away, presumably to an awaiting vehicle.
 
If you have any information, Please contact us at 978 686 9881 or the  
Lawrence Police Dept., Detective Mary Bartlet, at 978 794 5900 or email at 
_redtears17 at aol.com_ (mailto:redtears17 at aol.com) 
 
Thank you, Sincerely, Sean F. Sweeney
Lawrence Civil War Memorial Guard.