FRANK MULHOLLAND - Daily Union Managing Editor
Local attorney and Chairman of the Shelby County Lincoln Heritage (SCLH) Association, Whitney “Whit” Hardy has announced their aluminum can trailer has been moved to the Johnstowne Mall.
“Thanks to the generosity of Johnstowne Mall CEO Jeff Johnston, and all the tenants of the Johnstowne Mall, the Shelby County Lincoln Heritage aluminum can trailer has been placed on the Johnstowne Mall parking lot near the former Alco sign on the boulevard bordering Route 16. “Please help us continue our fundraising for the bronze donor plaques, and biosketch bronze plaques for Anthony Thornton, Robert Root and John McClarey.”
Hardy wanted to thank Ken Wamble and the Wal-Mart Super Center for permitting them to use Wal-Mart’s premises for placement of the aluminum can trailer since 2007.
Hardy went on to say S.C.L.H. is continuing their fundraising efforts in order to reach the final $5,000 goal for the creation of the Bronze Lincoln Commemorative Plaque for those who donated $1,000-$1,499, and the Lincoln Heritage Plaque for those who donated $2,500 or more toward the Statuary project of Abraham Lincoln and Anthony Thornton. Donations are also needed for the bronze biographical sketches with photos of Shelbyville’s Illinois Supreme Court Justice and Lincoln debater, Anthony Thornton, and of Shelby County favorite son and artist, Robert Marshall Root.
The life size statues of Lincoln and Thornton are presently at the Shelby County Office of Tourism, where they are available to be viewed by the public. The statues will remain there until the renovation of the courthouse exterior is completed.
A group of tradesman headed up by John Warner have volunteered their time to remove the old concrete and replace it with new stronger concrete.
“We are all ready to do the work of putting in the new concrete, but the weather won’t cooperate,” said Warner.
S.C.L.H., began fundraising in October 2005. Tax-deductible contributions are appreciated and can be sent to SCLH, Inc., P.O. Box 392, Shelbyville, IL 62565.
“Mr. Lincoln is known to have shopped in Shelbyville during his court days, and if he could, he would remind us to ‘Keep your money in Shelby County’”!
