LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) - Tippecanoe County officials want to replace a sword stolen from a life-size statue of the Marquis de Lafayette at the courthouse in the city that bears his name.

The statue of the Frenchman who led American troops in the
Revolutionary War was vandalized at least a year ago.

The two-and-a-half foot long sword blade was discovered broken
off at the hilt in September 2007. No police report was ever filed and officials say the sword may have been missing since May 2006.

The bronze statue was purchased by the city in 1887 and is believed to have been the work of Chicago sculptor Lorado Taft.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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