New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-10-30
THE COLISEUM LOTTERY.
70 me Editor Of The Tribune

TO me Editor Of The tribune
SIR: The huge building which was con-
strueted at such great cost Of time and money and
which served admirably the glorious purpose for
which 1t was erected. has TO most nglonOus end.
As though Of the degradation which awaited IT,
the noble structure seemed to invite the elements
their powers OF destruction, that like Samson, it's
mighty frame, securely and thoroughly bOlted to.
gether, might 20 down glory before the tempest and
thus be spared he gnominy Of having left behind 1t
Of derson for all connected with its latter days.
The Jubilee Committee washed their hands clean OF the
swindle by publishing, only day before the drawing
their report Of receipts aud expenditures This you have
but chapter remains 10 be told IN connection with the
fnal disposition Of the immense structure.
Some two or three months ago the building passed into
the hands OF q committee Of mysterious personages,
Of whose names have, however appeared in con-
nectOn with it, from time TO time and who at once an
nouuced series Of band concerts tickets at 81 EACH en-
ng the fortunate holder Of the right Number TO the
honor Of drawing the Coliseum, while oil other ticket
holders were TO have undivided interest in all the
chairs, settees decorations &c The advertisement was
changed twice thrice during the time tickets were for
SALE and the knowing ones felt pretty well posted as to
the hual result of the dra wngp and kept at
fu distance Not with tho large who arc ever
looking fortunate turn Of the wheel 20 secure
wealth. Men IN all paris Of the country we're employed
70 dispose Of the cketsi express men, with large dis
counts for their pockets and every conceivable plan
adopted make sale of the 10000 tickets as IL now ap.
pears which printed for the lottery. Just how
many we're sold has not as yet transpred. Some say
2OOOO say 10000 and some 10000 Mono place 1t
higher. aI. ..
Well, the eventful day tOct. 2s finally came. An al.
dernan Of the city Edward A. White, esq., presided at
the drawing. .r. ... ..-
The Aldermen Of Boston almost equal TO those Of
your city. The remaining tickets insidc-in number
somewhere from 10000 to 7O0O0were dumped into the
receptacle, from whence 70 DO made rich
and happy twinkng covering up, most eFectually,
those actually sold; then policeman of the City Of
told to stir up the seething cauldron with his
billy, when the aforesaid Aldermen called for some
young girl 10 draw a ticket from the box. Strangely
enough little girl was In readiness apparently dressed
for the occasion, who lifted up by Mr. s. A. setson
then announced in sentoran accents the Of the
passed and then John L. Merguire, umberdealer
in Charlesst near the big building announced
as the fortunate individual This again seemed very sin.
guar for Mr. Merguire the party who furnished tho
greater part Of the lumber for the mammoth structure
aud his undergrad very near as has before been
stated A very convenient arrangement Some thought
II swinde some swore were for institutng pro-
ceedngs against those concerned in it, (our laws very
stringent on that pOnt but everything IL fast settling
down. and In the mean time the vast edce stands, as IL
has stood since the sth OF September with both ends Of
the blown out but readiness for aught We know,
for another rattle by the mysterious Committee, who
still possession Of When shall we SEQ the last
OF the COLISEUM.
Boston, Oct. %, 1862