[MSN] US. Stolen fraternity statue worth thousands

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Stolen fraternity statue worth thousands

By Gwyneth Gibby
Gazette-Times reporter

Who would, or could, steal a cumbersome bronze statue from a house in the middle of the night, heft it out through an open window and then disappear?

Someone did, when a statue of Vulcan, god of fire, vanished from the Delta Chi fraternity house in Corvallis on the night of June 10. Estimated to be between 2 1/2 and 3 feet tall, made of bronze and weighing as much as 100 pounds, the statue could not have been easy to snatch — not to mention then whisk away and stash, leaving no witnesses.

According to the Corvallis Police Department report, a fraternity member woke shortly after 2:30 a.m., when he heard someone open a door to the sleeping porch and call out “Hey guys!” When he went downstairs, no one was there, but the statue was missing. A window on the south side of the house was open.

Police responded to the scene and searched the area, believing it would be difficult for the thief or thieves to get far with such a heavy object, but they saw no one.

The statue of Vulcan, known in Greek mythology as Hephaestus, has special significance to the Oregon State University chapter of Delta Chi. In October 1926, a recent graduate and a member of the chapter, Charles Rosenkrans, died in an accident. Rosenkrans’ parents donated the artwork to the house in his memory shortly after his death. It has been there ever since.

In 1945, the Rosenkrans family also established a scholarship fund that still exists and generates about $40,000 a year to help Delta Chi members complete their education.

A mystery surrounds the origin and value of the Delta Chi sculpture. Vulcan was the god of fire and metal working, and he married Venus, the goddess of love. His forge was under Mount Etna, the Sicilian volcano, where he made weapons for the gods. His leather apron, hammer and shield are his identifying traits. He has been immortalized in many paintings and sculptures, including the world’s largest cast-iron statue, which stands in Birmingham, Ala.

But the artist and provenance of the Delta Chi piece are unknown, although the house president estimated the value to be between $100,000 and $250,000. Police have circulated a photo of the piece to artists and dealers in the region hoping for some information. One Oregon artist who works in bronze said it could be worth over $100,000 depending on the artist and the age.

“The value is much more to the men of Delta Chi,” said Bill Love, Alumni Board chairman.

For 80 years members have grown familiar with Vulcan and the story of Charles Rosenkrans — until it vanished in the middle of a June night.

POLICE REQUEST

Anyone with information about the whereabouts or the origin of the statue is asked to contact Detective Mike Wells at the Corvallis Police Department, 766-6924.

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