Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1885-01-22

, frame building just north of the
, court house, and for year or two
past, owing to the rapidly increasing
business of the institution, the alb
solute necessity for more roomy and
suitable quarters have been growing
more and more apparent. Conse-
quently about year and a half ago
| MIR. Strong purchased the corner lot
upon which the old building stood,
and Immediately began preparations
for the erection of new one.
The design, drawings and speeif-
cations were furnished by Mr.. Thos.
| I. Carkeek, talented young archi-
tect of Dubuque. The mason work
was contracted aud executed by
Messrs Whitford d Kelly, and the
I carpenter work by Il. Davies e Son,
all of this village.
The building is "a SO feet and
35 feet high. The style of the ex-
terror architecture is somewhat of the
Renaissance order, and is admirably
carried out both in the construction
and the trimming. tits constructed
of red pressed brick and Iowa cut
stone, aud is pronounced by eompe-
tent judges to be as good a job of
bricklaying and masonry as any in
the county. While the building
fronts upon Iowa street, the main
entrance, Ga large double door, is al
the corner, which is fattened or
cut off for the purpose, the extreme
top of this corner being ornamented
with a handsome gothic cornice and
frieze, below which is embedded in
the masonry the date cut in a cirou-
lar stone and unique gilt sign.
The main floor consists of the count
ing room, "a 83, the presidents
room, 4 Is, the vault room, II x
Z, and a rear office, with side en-
trance on Chapel street, Is "a
feet. TIE counting room is finished |
very handsomely throughout in
Queen Anne style, and lighted by
three large full-plate windows and |
one two-plate window. The count
ing desk occupies 10 X p feet, with
corner directly opposite the main
entrance. 1t is of polished black
walnut, highly ornamented with
ground glass panels, and containing
three doors, the corner one facing
the entrance being used as the cash
door, and is furnished with nickel.
plated wicket The interior Of the
desk is fitted mp perfectly for con
venienoe and safety, with drawers,
cupboards and pigeonholes and an
improved cash drawer. The desk
was constructed in Dubuque, and is
pronounced the most beautiful, sub
stantial and costly piece Of furniture
of the kind, in this section Of the
state, and in perfect keeping with
the room. The entrance to the vanlt
is from the rear Of the counter,
there also beng a door leading to
the presidents room from within the
counting desk. The vault, as stated
is ! 2 feet in the clear, construct
ed OF brick, with arohed roof and
hollow walls 20 inches thick; there
being perfect air space IN the walls
which is tapped by pipe extending
to the outer atmosphere and supply
ing fresh air to the interior Of the
vault through ventilation near
the floor, thus preventing the
possibility of dampness, and acting
as a cooler in the event of fire. The
peculiar construction and arrange
ment Of this vault is such az to ren.
der it absolutely fire proof, and for
a safe depository is unexcelled in
the state. The outer iron door is
very heavy, and one Of a late i'm.
proved pattern, and is secured by ..
twelve heavy bolts held by com.
bination lock. There is also heavy
double inner door fastened by cor.
responding bolts and locks. Inside
the vault is placed tie mammoth
Diebold bank safe,
supplied with the Sargent & Green
leaf "time lock-" which Mr.. Strong
has had for several years, and which
he informs your correspondent was
built especially for his bank under
the supervision of one Of the most
eminent safe experts in the country,
and every piece Of material in its
construction was carefully tested be
fore it was used With this orna :
ment Of ponderous iron and steel !
doors and complicated locks, this !
vault is rendered without doubt no !
solutely impregnable to either the !
expert and cunning "cracksman," or
the fiery element, and furnishing a
perfectly safe receptacle for valuable /
papers, money and treasures.
The presidents room is handsome
ly finished and decorated and pleas
autly situated on the south side Of
the building. Il is connected with I
the rear office by large sliding doors,
which move within the walls. This
room can also be entered from the
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