Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-07-22
NUMBER 1879

NUMBER 1879
THE OLD AND THE NEW :
Col. Allen Throws Down tho First Brick
Inaugurating Work on the New Market
House.
70 stand on the shore and observe the
PROV of three-master CALAMITY cleave the
waters for the first time, with colors. dutter-
ing from the main mast, amidst the shouts
and God-speeds of the multitude, is truly
grand and exhilarating spectacle, but there
are other occasions, less demonstrative, per-
haps; although quite as grand and equally as
Welghty and imposing. To construct and
launch a ship or get public building well
under way, are equally great undertakings,
which is forcibly illustrated by simple refer.
ence to the vexatious delays and almost in
superable difficulties that have attended the
labors Of those interested in the construction
of the proposed new market house.
The numberless obstacles encountered and
resolutely overcome by the indefatigable
perseverance and answering pertenacity of
the inaugurators and advocates Of tho new
market house scheme are we'll known to
patient and not disinterested public, and the
brave and honorable manner in which their
cause was carried forward to victory is now
ready for the enduring archives Of history.
It was announced in Sundays GLOBE that
work on the new market house would prac-
tically commence on yesterday, pursuant to
which large force of hands were divided
between tearing down certain portions of
the shed and the work on the excavation.
Notwishing to allow such an eventful occa-
sion to pass by unsignalized, the opportuni-
ty was seized by the committee on public
buildings and the foremost friends of the
movement to commemorate the work of up
building and tearing down by proper and
appropriate observanoes. At 1890 o'clock
goodly number of citizens gathered under
the market house shed, taking positions at
the rear of the municipal court building,
The ice was broken by Col. Allen, chair
man Of the special committee on markets,
who, stepping forward with pick-axein hand,
delivered the following:
GENrIEMEN: As pioneer of Minnesota,
member of the common council and Of the
committee on markets, allow me to pick the
first brick from the old market house build.
ing:
The speech was applauded, and the work
of demolishing the time honored land mark
was commenced forthwith. One, two,
dozen sturdy and vigorous strokes were put
in before the we'll preserved masonary
yielded perfect brick, which was finally
procured and laid aside to be placed for
keeping in the hands of the historical society.
President Rhodes then proposed as
toast, "The committee on public buildings
and new market house, . which was honored
with bumpers of sparkling catawba.
President Rhodes then delivered the fol-
lowing short address:
GENTLEMEN: Although the task of pro-
curing new market house has been often
times accompanied by tribulation, it has at
last succeeded. Unlike other public build
ings, the market house will not only be a
credit and ornament to the city, but its con-
struction will rebound to the good and benefit
of the taxpayers. It will involve no In
cumberance on the people; but, on The other
hand, it will finally prove source of per
manent income. In addition to being self
supporting institution, it will prove means
of revenue and interest, and will ultimately
provide q permanent sinking fund for the
city,
Upon being called upon by Aid. Allen te
give little history of the old market house.
City Attorney Murraysaid that the new mark
ct house offered striking illustration of the
growth of the city. Twenty one years ago
the only market st. Paul had was furnished
by gardener named William Knoot, from
Reserve, who supplied the city with vege
tables from huckster's stand. The present
building was constructed in 1853 by Vetel
Guerin, who built it as personal enter
prise.
In q year or two Yankee from Maine.
Mr.. G. T. Whitney, came along. He be-
lieved there was big thing in markets, and
he bought Guerin out. It was not q great
while before he concluded he had an elephant
oc his hands, and The project was inaugu-
rated of selling it to the city. Legislation
wac secured, and in 1853 the city bought it
for $25,00O. OF the twelve members Of the
council at that time, the speaker was re-
minded that there were only four left.
viz !: Luke Marvin, Of Duluth, Nicholas
Gross, Thomas Grace and A. L. Larpenteur
Mr.. Grace was the only present alderman
who was in the council at the time the old
market house was purchased. The only city
official at that time who is now in office is
Norman w. Nttson, who was Mayor. The
same trouble was encountered in that pur
chase which has attended the present enter
prise. They were certain it was too large for
the city and the cry of |oppo.
sition was the same as that which
had beset the chairman (Col. Allen) of
the special committee on markets. The
chairman and his associates on the commit
tee we're the ones to whom we are indebted
for securing the building. Col. Allen inaugu-
rated the matter in the council, and then he
went to the legislature for authority to issue
the bonds. He almost slept with the mem.
bers of the legislature until the bill was
through. To the daily zeal and tireless per
tinacity of the committee is due the sue
cess of the enterprise. All the public
asked was that the money be hon
estly and faithfully put into the
building, giving them the full benefit of the
cost. He alluded to the construction of the
jail, and how the county commissioners were
berated because they erected what was then
regarded as first class building. But a
first class building was what the people
wanted for market house. He had no
doubt that the new building would be entire.
lily inadequate to the wants of the city long
before twas as old as the present market.
Col. Allen offered the following toast,
which was received with applause and drank
| with vim: $50
To the new market, hoping it may be
erected according to the suggestions Of City
Attorney Murray.
The pleasant party then dispersed.