[MassHistPres] ALERT!! Stolen Monument!!

[JonBlmrl at aol.com]

Just a repeat of the earlier posting, without the hasty errors.  In an  
effort to get the message out as soon as possible and so perhaps generate a  lead, 
the story is being aired on the major networks -who have been very  
cooperative and supportive- and in as many papers as possible: likewise  helpful.  Thank 
you all so much.

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 each,  
crossed at a 90 degree angle and  joined in at the center by a bronze pin and 
 weld.  I estimate the  weight to be 300 pounds +-.

The sculpture was installed in  2002 as a replacement for the original which  
went missing perhaps  fifty years ago.

Sumner Needham was a man like so many others who  happened to be in the  
military.  He 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 union 
soldier  to  die in 
the Civil War of the United States.

The monument  was erected by the city in 1862 as a permanent remembrance of 
the  loss  and to   
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.