A unique silver statue of Abraham Lincoln, stolen from Houmas House plantation in Ascension Parish, has been recovered in Metairie, Louisiana. The artwork, created by Mount Rushmore sculptor Gutzon Borglum, was found cut into multiple pieces, seemingly for its metal value. This discovery follows a theft on September 7, when the statue was forcibly removed from the historic property.
Key Takeaways
- A silver Abraham Lincoln statue was stolen from Houmas House plantation.
- The artwork was sculpted by Gutzon Borglum, known for Mount Rushmore.
- Thieves cut the statue into pieces to sell for its silver content.
- Three individuals have been arrested in connection with the theft and sale of the pieces.
- The owner plans to display the ruined artwork as a historical artifact.
The Theft from Houmas House
On Sunday, September 7, Kevin Kelly, the owner of Houmas House plantation, discovered the theft of his antique silver Abraham Lincoln statue. The foot-tall sculpture depicted Lincoln in a pensive pose, with his stovepipe hat beside him.
According to Kelly, the thief gained entry by smashing a window of the 19th-century building. A small stone dog statue, found outside, was used to break the glass. The burglar then reached through the broken window, grabbed the Lincoln statue, and fled the property.
Statue Details
- Material: Solid silver
- Weight: Approximately 64 pounds
- Estimated Value: $46,000 (for metal)
- Artist: John Gutzon de la Mothe Borglum
- Significance: Borglum also carved Mount Rushmore.
Kelly speculated that if the thief was an art collector, the statue might never be seen again. However, if the intent was to sell the silver for its monetary value, there was a chance for its recovery. His assessment proved correct.
Recovery and Damage
Last week, the Lincoln statue was returned to Houmas House, but not in its original state. The artwork had been brutally cut into chunks, including a decapitated torso and other irregular shapes. The damage is beyond repair, making restoration impossible.
Sgt. Brandon Veal, spokesperson for the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, stated that investigators in Ascension Parish had alerted their department to be on the lookout for the stolen statue. This led to its discovery in several locations within suburban New Orleans.
Arrests Made in Connection
Jefferson Parish investigators identified Steve Coronado, 28, from Raceland, as a key individual. Coronado allegedly brought pieces of the statue to various pawn shops and a precious metal exchange for sale. At one shop, he reportedly sold silver shavings. At another, he received cash for a significant portion of the statue.
Deputies executed a search warrant at a residence on Garden Road in Avondale on September 10. During this search, they recovered another piece of the damaged artwork.
“We want to see stolen items returned to the owners,” said Beth Higgins, manager of Southern Coin and Precious Metal shop. “That’s not the game we want to play.”
Beth Higgins, manager of the Southern Coin and Precious Metal shop in Metairie, confirmed that someone sold the store a barely recognizable piece of the silver sculpture for $3,300. Higgins stated that the shop staff was already aware of the Lincoln statue theft and immediately contacted the Sheriff’s Department investigator to prevent the piece from being lost.
Coronado is currently held at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center in Gretna. He faces charges of theft and three counts of possession of stolen property. His bail is set at $37,500.
Additionally, Alma Fontenot, 20, of New Iberia, and Bruce Shelvin, 49, of Avondale, were arrested by the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office. They face charges of simple burglary and felony theft over $25,000, as reported by The Advocate newspaper.
The Statue's Artistic and Historical Significance
The stolen Lincoln statue was more than just a valuable metal object. It was a significant piece of art created by John Gutzon de la Mothe Borglum, the renowned sculptor behind Mount Rushmore. Borglum’s Mount Rushmore features monumental presidential portraits, including Abraham Lincoln, carved into a South Dakota mountainside.
About Gutzon Borglum
John Gutzon de la Mothe Borglum (1867–1941) was an American sculptor. He is best known for creating the colossal Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota. His work often involved large-scale public monuments, reflecting his ambitious artistic vision.
According to Kevin Kelly, the silver miniature of Lincoln may have been intended as a gift. It could have been given to benefactors who supported a grand-scale Lincoln statue that Borglum envisioned but never completed. The exact number of identical silver castings produced by Borglum remains unknown, but the artifact is considered rare.
Historical Connections to Houmas House
Kevin Kelly, a businessman, purchased Houmas House in 2003. His goal was to transform the historic site into a luxury entertainment destination. The picturesque location has since been used for television shows like "Top Chef" and "The Bachelor."
Kelly found the silver Lincoln statue at an upscale garage sale on Audubon Boulevard in New Orleans. He purchased it for $1,200, recognizing it as a significant find. The statue’s presence at an 18th and 19th-century plantation, which historically relied on enslaved labor, might seem unexpected. However, it holds historical irony.
Kelly notes that Abraham Lincoln, as a teenager, traveled south on the Mississippi River in 1828 and 1831. During these journeys, he would have passed the Houmas House plantation. Lincoln and a partner steered a flatboat to Louisiana to sell goods, possibly bacon and corn, to riverside settlements. It was during these trips that Lincoln witnessed the system of slavery he would later work to abolish.
Somewhere along the route, Lincoln and his partner were attacked and injured by a roving gang. Kelly suggests that this brush with death for the future president may have occurred near a landing close to Houmas House.
Future of the Damaged Artwork
Eight pieces of the Lincoln statue have been returned to Kevin Kelly. Despite the irreparable damage, Kelly plans to create a small display of the ruined artwork. He believes the pieces now carry an even deeper historical resonance due to their journey. “There is no other choice,” he stated.
Following the theft, security measures at Houmas House have been increased to prevent similar incidents in the future. Reporter Michelle Hunter contributed to this story.
Houmas House Plantation
Located in Darrow, Louisiana, Houmas House is a historic sugar plantation that dates back to the late 1700s. It is known for its grand architecture and expansive gardens, and it now operates as a museum and event venue.