A valuable antique silver statue of Abraham Lincoln, created by the same artist who carved Mount Rushmore, was stolen from a historic Louisiana plantation and later discovered cut into pieces at pawn shops in Metairie. The theft occurred at Houmas House plantation, located between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, when a burglar smashed a window and grabbed the precious artwork.
Kevin Kelly, owner of Houmas House plantation in rural Ascension Parish, discovered the theft on Sunday, September 7th. The foot-tall Lincoln sculpture depicted the 16th president sitting pensively on a bench with his stovepipe hat beside him, capturing the weight of history on his shoulders. The thief used a simple but brazen method, picking up a small stone dog statue from outside the 19th-century building and using it to bash in a window before grabbing the Lincoln statue through the broken glass and fleeing.
The stolen artwork was created by John Gutzon de la Mothe Borglum, the renowned sculptor who famously carved the presidential faces on Mount Rushmore. This connection made the piece particularly valuable both historically and monetarily, as Borglum's works are highly sought after by collectors and art enthusiasts. The sculpture was made of solid silver, which ultimately led to its destruction when thieves attempted to profit from it.
Kelly initially held hope that the statue might be recovered intact if the thief was motivated by a love of art rather than monetary gain. However, his worst fears were realized when the sculpture was discovered in pieces at pawn shops in Metairie. The thieves had cut apart the historic artwork to sell it for its silver content, destroying its artistic and historical value in the process.
The incident highlights the vulnerability of historic artifacts displayed at tourist destinations and the ongoing challenges faced by owners of historic properties in protecting valuable collections. Houmas House, like many plantation sites along Louisiana's River Road, serves as both a historic preservation site and tourist attraction, making security a constant concern for valuable items on display.
This case represents more than just a simple theft - it's the destruction of an irreplaceable piece of American artistic heritage. The fact that a work by the sculptor of Mount Rushmore was reduced to scrap metal for quick cash underscores the tragic loss when thieves target artwork solely for its material value rather than recognizing its cultural significance.
