Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-09-30

Real estate transactions during the week
have been limited and while prices are
firm and holders very stiff, none is offered
below the full market price. This Indi-
Gates very solid condition of affairs and
shows that people here in st. Paul can
hold property until some one wants it bad
enough to buy it. There can be no doubt
about the solidity of the market. Usually
when goods will not bring the price asked
the pfica goes down till the views of pur-
chases are met. Here in st. Paul, while
purchasers and sellers do not come to-
gether for more than $15O,000 or 100000
worth in a week, the price still remains
the same, and while purchasers hesitate to
buy sellers do not seem ever to have had
it enter their heads that they can reduce
the price and thus secure purchasers.
Should holders reduce their figures there
would be the liveliest boom in real estate
ever Witnessed here. The real estate buy
ers who stand around the market waiting
fortunate that is compelled to sell
would then be in their glory, and would
snap and bite right aud left. Nearly all
the transactions this week have been pur-
chases of residence lots. Those who have
property within the city appear to prefer
to improve it rather than to sell.
The only large transaction during the
week is the transfer of eighty acres of the
old Ramsey farm, just outside the city
limits, on the west, out near Smelling
avenue, for $4,000. The transaction is
not quite completed, or was not last night,
but it undoubtedly will be in day or two.
THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING.
! For some time the government of the
United States has been talking about
erecting large government warehouse in
st. Paul, but in some way, either for want
of funds, or from some other cause, the
construction of the building has never
been commenced, but the matter has hung
along, and hung along, till good many
almost concluded that the government
would never do anything further about it.
At last the matter has eliminated, and
the work is to go right along as fast as
possible.
Some time ago Capt. Wheeler, who has
charge of the matter, had plan and
specifications prepared by Mr.. With, the
well-known architect of st. Paul, and not
long ago advertised for bids, which we're
opened yesterday.
The structure will be 100 feet on Second
street by 112 on Robert, three stories high,
besides deep and roomy basement. It
will be constructed of limestone in the
shape of range rock up to the second story,
While the two upper stories will be con-
structed of cream-colored brick, trimmed
with terra Gotta and Bedford stone. The
appearance of the building when completed
is intended to be that of massiveness and
of dignity. In order to give the structure
the appearance of good height the archi-
tect has placed pavilion at each corner,
which not only helps to give an idea of
good height, but also adds a gracefulness
of ornamentation and an air of solidity
to it.
The windows of the second story have
square stone caps. The third story win
dows will be round or arched.
On the east side an eight foot alley will
be left. On the north side of the struc-
ture there is an alley. These two alleys,
together with Robert street on the west,
and Second street on the south, will leave
an ample open space or road way all
around the building, which cannot fail to
be very convenient.
Twenty five feet of the east side of tbs
building will be pertitioned off on the low
er part by wall of brick and stone for
vehicles and everything else belonging to
the transportation department.
The first story on the west side will be
devoted to the commissary store room,
and Offices and issue room. Between this
and the wagon building is the quarter
masters store room.
The second front will be devoted to the
quartermaster's offices, of which there:will
be six sets, supplied with everything need
ed 10 render them comfortable and oon-
venient for the uses to which they are ap-
propriatsd. In the rear of these are
store rooms for the quartermastsr and
eommi.sary departments.
The third story will be finished off
fer ths psynAstsrs' offices, of which there
will 30 Two sets. In the rear of these will
be the store rooms.
The building will be supplied with an
elevator running from the base
msAt up to the different
store rooms. The main entrance will be
on the upper corner of the Robert street
side. The plans and specifications call
for the best work that can be done, the
best plumbing, the best materials, and the
best finishing in every way. The building
is to be heated with furnaces In different
parts Of the building. The construction
Of this store house and general govern
ment building will be commenced immsdi-
atsly. The foundation and first floor will
be put in and covered this fall, though the
contract will give the contractor till next
September in which to finish the structure.
The intention seems to be to give the cen
tractor all the time required and at the
same time require of him the best work.
The contract calls for everything belong
ing to the building, even to the gas fix