Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-08-26
FORT SMELLING.

What IS Being DOIte ut the Otd Militia ri
POst--Its Future Uses Talk Nth the
Concentrating officer.
Yesterday a GLOBE representative visited
Fort Smelling for the purpose of learning by
actual observation what improvements are be-
ing made. We were fortunate in finding the
commanding officer, Capt. c.. f. Ben
nett, at home and with the
greatest courtesy he conducted the GLOBE am
bassador through the post and explained the
details of the improvements. This work is be-
ing done under the direction of the department
commander, Col Lee, depot quartermaster
having charge of the building. At this
time an appropriation OF $35, 900 is be-
ing expended, but if it is the intention
to make the fort a permanent military garri-
son that amount, according to Capt. Benefits
Judgment, will have to be multiplied by three.
The first thing which attracts the attention
OF the old settler, acquainted with the post in
its primitive and Economically dilapidated
days, is the excellent in which
the garrison have graded and re-
paired the bluff road leading from the two
ferries to the old Stone garrison. Under di-
rection of Capt Bennett the ''wash-outs" have
all been filled, permanent culverts constructed
under the roadway for draining off the water
which PUSHES down the bluff after
each rain, and permanent stone
walls constructed TO prevent the
road from being again spoiled by gullies
and wash outs" side track has been built
for unloading freight by the Milwaukee rail-
way, and a stairway erected consisting of nine
ty steps. leading down the bluff in rear of the
commanding officers quarters, to the railroad.
The old guard-house building, filed
with its cheerful recollections,
to thousands of Minnesota veterans, has been
torn away, also the chapel and the wall with its
arched gateway, leaving an open space from the
old bastion to the hospital. The hospital itself
and the officers quarters throughout the entire
old stone garrison are being retitted and recon-
structed in the most thorough mannesr
while a large number of new frame building
are being built on the sandy plateau without
the old inclosure. Everything just at this
time is in chaotic state, but the improve
ments all of permanent character, as
though the government had determined to
locate and stay awhile with Minnesota. When
the Improvements completed Fort Smelling
will be one of the most beautiful and attractive
military posts in America.
Capt. Bennett gives it as his opinion that the
authorities in Washington have determin ed to
make Fort Smelling permanent military sta
ton and school of instruction. To
make the improvements necessary to
a permanent one-regiment post about 800, 900
will have to be expended, and certainly no
more advantageous location could be selected
in the West; within stones throw of both st.
Baul and Minneapolis, with their commercial
advantages, and making half way station"
on the most beautiful drive in
America it would seem to be the best use it
could be put to. Already the Government has
property there to the amount of hundreds of
thousands of dollars, and it would be idiotic
to desert 1T for other less advantageous places
and turn the old station out to grass.