Thief makes off with chainsaw-carved Abe

CHARLESTON -- Until last weekend a 200-pound wooden likeness of a young Abe Lincoln learning to read had a treasured place at the Lincoln Springs Resort.

Now it's missing, and whoever took it can bring it back and claim $100 with no questions asked.

Lincoln Springs CEO David Kirsch says someone stole the chain saw carving and damaged another last weekend. They were among 14 chainsaw-carved statues of Lincoln in an area known as Abe's Garden.

Lt. Jim Fisher of the Coles County Sheriff's Department says deputies searched the grounds but didn't find the hefty statue of Lincoln sitting on a tree stump.

All the carvings were made by local chain saw artist Bill Monken.

Kirsch estimates the missing statue is worth about $2,000.