The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-28
DEPOT IMPROVEMENT,

extend every encouragement to the company
in the undertaking now so happily begun,
with every indication of speedy completion.
For years the depot facilities at this point
have been totally inadequate to the demands
made upon them. The old depot has long
been too small for the amount of passenger
traffic lone The structure, as everybody
knows, was a low, piratical-looking thing,
i'll ventilated and scarcely lighted at all.
Too narrow by half, and not long enough by
thrice it's length, trains were literally stuffed
into it, the ends extending outside in either
direction, reminding one Of an attempt to
cram a step-ladder into a valise. The citizens
Of Indianapolis were Inundated to a most try
ing degree, and did the best they could in
apologizing for such a shabby old crib. They
sought to bolster up the city's pride by saying
that the depot, cramped as it was, was noted
from the fact that more trains came into and
departed from it than into airy similar
structure in the world. Two other cities
have a greater number Of railways, but no
other one depot attempts to accommodate so
many. Knowing this and realizing the mad
equacy of the shabby old pile to the duties
expected of it, the last Legislature was ap-
pealed to to grant certain privileges asked for
by the Union Railway Company, and Indian
apolis stood by the bill and secured it's
passage. Early action was asked in order
that the work of building a new structure
might be undertaken in time to have it under
roof before the unfavorable fall weather
should set in. A general feeling of rejoicing
took possession Of the people, and congratu-
lations were frequent and hearty. After
years of waiting and discomfort a structure
was to be provided that would not only be
large enough to do the business of the roads
using it but would be an architectural orna-
ment to the town.
After the passage of the bill, and when all
seemed propitious-for labor and material
were at the lowest notch-the enterprise
seemed to languish, and fears were enter
tanned that it would be allowed to fail. But
the Journal did not share these fears,
confident in the trust imposed in
such members of the Union Railway Company
as had the interests Of indianapolis at heart.
It was impossible to think that these enter
prising and pushing gentlemen would fail to
do their duty as citizens interested in the up
building of the city. We are now glad to be
able to say that this confidence was not mis-
placed; for while it is barely possible that a
new depot will not be built for a generation
or two to come, the company shows every
disposition to literally spend its money to
make our depot the peer in some respects of
some other depots in some other cities. A
few weeks ago eighty-fve cents worth of
paint was purchased, and every drop of it
spread upon the inside walls of the depot. 1t
was a daring undertaking, but was carried out
with the characteristic boldness and dash of
the company. Many thought that the i'm
provements would stop at that, but the
Journal thought that it knew the gentlemen
too we'll to believe that they would give up
short of something really worthy Of them.
We are glad to say that this confidence was
not abused, and now the travelling public and
the people of this city can have
the proud satisfaction Of knowing that
at last something is being done.
A. ~: x.u- a~Oo. 49,
ing place in the old structure, it having been
decided that a new floor should be laid. The
boards-planks, We may say-are of the very
best material procurable, being of seasoned
oak and two inches in thickness. These will
b.. laid thro ughout, only such portions of the
old floor being used as are not entirely worn
out. When this improvement shall have been
completed-and it is proceeding as rapidly as
an entire section gang can do--the Indianapo-
lis Union Depot will have one of the best
floors in the country. Of course there will be
some little disappointment in the fact that
cherry or mahogany flooring was not used to
match the encaustic tile dado and terra Gotta
wall trimmings. 1t should be borne in mind,
however, that either Of these woods would be
too dark, and would have a bad effect upon
the ~frescoes of the ceiling. The company, we
think, has used rare taste in selecting oak.
There is a richness and simplicity about oak
that will become our depot; and when it is
duly oiled and stained, and the Turkish rugs
are laid between the tracks, we don't see how
anybody can complain. He was a mean man
who compared the depot to a livery stable, and
besides he was guilty of plagiarizing a very
ancient chestnut. No, the company, consid-
ering the difficulty they had in securing the