Monument to Equality town hero is in jeopardy

In 1913 the State of Illinois erected a monument in Equality dedicated to Mexican War and Civil War General Michael Kelly Lawler.

That monument is falling into disrepair and some Equality citizens want to restore it and restore the memory of their town's hero.

Lawler was an Irish immigrant from County Kildare who arrived by flatboat in Shawneetown in 1819. He married Elizabeth Crenshaw - daughter of John Hart Crenshaw who operated the area salt mines, built the historic Crenshaw House known locally as the Old Slave House and who gained the reputation of a kidnapper of free black citizens to sell into slavery.

Lawler was a lawyer, surveyor, Equality-area farmer and merchant in addition to military general and war hero, according to the book "Gallatin County, IL - Vol. 1" published by the Gallatin County Historical Society in 1988.

Lawler was captain of the Fourth Regiment of the Illinois Militia when the U.S. declared war on Mexico in 1846. He led a cavalry unit to track down Santa Anna following the fall of the Alamo.

When the Civil War broke out in 1861, Lawler - at 50 years old - joined the fight and by 1863 was promoted to Brigadier General along with John A. Logan.

At the Siege of Vicksburg in Mississippi Lawler led the charge through a bayou. He was brevetted the rank of major general in 1866, according to a plaque on the monument.

Lawler died a well-to-do farmer in 1882 and was buried at the Lawler Cemetery in Gallatin County.

Equality is proud of the monument that stands on a hill under the village's shiny new water tower. But the monument is not weathering the elements well.

The monument is semi-circular in shape with as a centerpiece a bronze plaque with Lawler's face. There are benches for sitting built into the concrete which is painted white. But in places the gray of the stone shows through and some spots crumble when touched. Cracks can be seen throughout the structure.

"About four weeks ago I saw the front kind of buckling," Mike Vickery said.

He believes in addition to the cosmetic problems the entire structure may be leaning and on the verge of collapse.

Mark York, president of the Gallatin County Tourism Committee and Equality Village Board member, and Vickery have begun the process of fixing the monument.

"We are going to get an estimate on repairing it, if possible," York said.

Once they know the cost, they will begin soliciting donations from civic organizations and anyone wanting to contribute to the cause.

Several years ago the village paid for a restoration to prevent the structure from tarnishing. That effort cost about $6,500. The village can't afford to take on another major repair.

"The village doesn't have the resources to do it themselves," York said.

Considering next year is the 100-year anniversary of the monument's installation, the group is hoping the restoration can be complete in time for a celebration event next year.

People interested in donating to the project may contact Vickery at (618) 276-4232.