Two local companies are helping raise money to restore Rock Island County's Civil War Soldiers Monument. Lewis Machine and Tool, in Milan, donated a rifle to the effort. And during this weekend's auction at The Rock Island Auction Company, the monument committee will sell raffle tickets to win the gun, which is worth nearly $3,000.
Captain Ron Erickson, from the sheriff's office, says the statue on top of the monument was removed to prevent it from falling off. And a close look showed severe deterioration of the memorial, which honors 400 Civil War soldiers. It'll cost up to $100,000 dollars with funds to set aside for maintenance.
The Rock Island County Sheriff's Office is working with the Civil War Roundtable on research for the soldiers monument. People interested in buying raffle tickets may get them tomorrow at a special table Erickson set up at The Rock Island Auction Company. It's located in Rock Island's business park on Andalusia Road near Highway 92. But he'll continue to sell raffle tickets until the drawing on June 25th.
Erickson says Carbon Cliff kicked off the fundraising with a $5,000 donation. The committee has applied for several grants. For example this week he asked the Moline Foundation to support the monument restoration. And Augustana College students have hosted car washes and other events to raise money for the project.
RI Co Civil War Monument Pictures Soldier by Michelle O'Neill on Scribd
RI Co Civil War Soldier Monument Informational Color Brochure by Michelle O'Neill on Scribd
