beginner in stone

[David Stephens <sms2@xxxxxxx>]

George and all,

I finally got to get on the computer. I went to Middle Tennessee, this
weekend, to get some pictures. And do some small scale experiments, on the
stone, (I am most wanting to restore.) I believe the stone must be the
Vermont Marble, because the grains are all uniform. If there is any gray,
it is not in veins that are visible through the green and black stuff. The
thing I hadn't anticipated, was how well the 80 grade sandpaper would work.
I worked on a saying, at the bottom of the stone, and was surprized to see,
what I had always thought was, "may he rest in peace," but what it says is,
"may we rest in peace." You see they never could reconsile with the thought
of a cook, who could have, "Died of Wounds Received In Battle."

I didn't get to work very long because it was raining, and when it starts
lightning, it almosts always hits the cedar tree beside Reubin grave. It's
not true that lightning never strikes twice in the same place. I did find
that most of the sayings, on the front are still there, some dimmer than
others. The back of the stone seems to be in better shape than the top or
front, where the writing is, like maybe it was polished, or had some type
of finish on it. The designs on the front of the stone, are in raised
relief, after all. If I can redo this myself, it would pose the most
problems, I think. In raised relif, it says, "COME 'YE BLESSED," with the
pillars and gates, of heaven to receive the 5 pointed star, unto God.  Here
the work is very detailed, and I was very careful, to not scrape to deep
here. There is much criss-crossing, of the pillars and the sidewalk, (in
front of the gates, on the front of the stone.) This looks so detailed, it
is hard to believe that it could be carved, by hand. Were there machines
that did this work, during the early 1900's?

I was worried when I saw that there are really three parts to the stone. A
wide base, then the second part, with the saying on it, and last the main
stone, with the design on the top half, and the name and dates on the
bottom half of the stone. It actually looks like it has been glued with
some type of white glue. Is this some type of epoxy, used especially for
monumental stone? This glued part could have been added later, when the
stone was toppled, by cattle, in 1983. But I would think any glue would
have to be something quick drying, because setting a stone would have to be
done quickly, unless you had some type of hoist, to hold it in place, until
it dried. As I remember, the middle stone, with the saying on it, is
hollow. This could pose problems, as this would make it the weakest part of
the monument. But there was something hidden inside, and that is one
reason, that no other stone can replace this one.

I think I am hopelessly, or hopefully, hooked. I know there must be others
like myself who want to see the years washed away, and hopefully still find
so much symbolism and that small bit of history. Not just in old monuments,
but in old marble, should it be an old family fireplaces, or the old
pillars, that have held up a building for centuries.

Well, I will close for now. Let me know if anyone has any ideas about how I
should procede. It would be nice to move it inside and work on it in the
basement this winter, but the three parts could cause moving problems. Any
ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for all the help. I can't do this without your help.
Sincerely,
Sheila