Vandals topple 103-year-old Lincoln statue in Burlington

[Angela]

This really angered me!
What do you all think - might this be a reaction to the removal of the confederate monuments, or is it just plain vandalism?

http://m.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/van...02441.html

[RJNorton]

I was very sad to read this, Angela, but glad they have a suspect.

I will be very interested when this statement is released:

"A dispatcher for the Burlington police said a statement about the case would be released later Saturday."

I tried to find the statement online but could not find anything.

[Gene C]

Plain vandalism.

[Angela]

I will be very interested when this statement is released:

"A dispatcher for the Burlington police said a statement about the case would be released later Saturday."

I tried to find the statement online but could not find anything.

Same here, I was glad to hear that and am looking forward to the press release.

[RJNorton]

Unless the press release says something different I agree with Gene.

[Eva Elisabeth]

So far I, too, agree on plain brainless vandalism, not unlikely those individuals didn't even know whom they toppled.

[L Verge]

Agreed, Eva. Just look for about 6-8 young men between the ages of 18 and 25 who were on a binge on Friday night and decided to prove how strong they were!

Our family cemetery dates to 1858, and has been constantly maintained. When the land around it went commercial, the developers were kind enough to enclose the area, with its ca. 1900 wrought iron fence around the tombstones as well as room for parking, etc., with a six-foot high chain link fence. We finally had to go one step further and lock the gates about ten years ago after a similar tombstone-toppling evening was enjoyed by at least one gang that had gained a reputation for doing similar damage to other ancient graveyards around the county.

Over a dozen tombstones were damaged, which cost various members of our family over $5000. The repairer said that the jerks were very lucky that some of the oldest and largest stones did not fall on the vandals. Last year, someone cut the chain link in order to steal anything bronze in the cemetery. Since all of the markers are old-fashioned stone of some sort, they had to settle for a few in-ground vases. I don't understand why they just don't stay home, drink beer if they want, and destroy things on computer games!

[LincolnMan]

It personally makes me sick. Our culture is sick really. I don't see this downward spiral changing either...

[RJNorton]

This morning I read:

"The Historical Society said police had a suspect, but the Burlington Police Department would not answer any questions or say whether there has been an arrest. A news release will be issued Monday, police said."

http://journaltimes.com/news/local/burli..._form=true

[Jim Garrett]

I too feel that this is a case of senseless vandalism. So which is worse. Stupid kids destroying property out of boredom, misdirection, etc, or vandalism to make a political (or politically correct) point such as the vandalism of the statue of Chief Justice Roger B. Taney for rendering the Dred Scott decision?

[HerbS]

Sad day for history!

[RJNorton]

"Police said a 22-year-old man is in police custody in connection with the incident."

http://www.wisn.com/news/wisconsin-town-...w/37754312

[L Verge]

The historian/spokesman quoted here - Steve Rogstad - has been a long and faithful member of the Surratt Society since its very earliest years. And, very much a Lincoln scholar.

[LincolnMan]

It seems to me that knocking over a statue of that size would be no easy feat.

[RJNorton]

"A 22-year-old man was arrested and will be charged with disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property, according to Burlington Police Lt. Brian Zmudzinski said. Zmudzinski added that the department is not naming the suspect as of Monday because they are attempting to locate a second suspect in the case."

http://journaltimes.com/news/local/crime...72f26.html