The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1888-02-09
A Mine Of Gold in Libby Prison.

CHlCAGO, EeuIuhEy ia uON 0o'
parture in the line of relic worship has
been taken in this city. The preliminary
steps for the formation of corporation
whose object is the purchase and removal
to this city of the famous Libby prison ol
Richmond, Va, we're taken here yester'
day. The men who figure as commits.
sioners and who are instrumental in
organizing and developing the scheme
are VIM. H. Gray, Josiah Crotty, John
a. Crawford and Charles L. Miller, all
Chicago men. The company will have
capital of $500, 900, and tits understood
that all the stock has already been
applied for. The history of the enter
prise is best told in the words of Mr..
Gray, to whom is due the credit for it's
inception:
"Last November" said he, "when
was travelling through eastern Virginia
with Judge Moore, OF Toledo, we met, on
the road to Old Point Comfort and Rich.
mond, Col. Barnes, formerly an officer in
the Confederate army. In the course OF
conversation on the events Of the var,
reference was made to the old Libby
Prison. 1t occurred to me that it would
be good idea to purchase the building
and transport it to Chicago. / took Col.
Barnes into my confidence, and asked
him to ascertain if the property could be
purchased. Shortly after my return /
received letter from Pawlburg & Rose,
real estate dealers in Richmond, stating
that the old prison was now the property
of the Southern Fertilizer Company, and
that it could be purchased for $4,000.
At my request Mr.. John A. Crawford,
general superintendent of the Chicago
Towing Company, went to Richmond and
looked over the ground and Investigated
the possibility of moving the building.
He returned full of enthusiasm about the
prize. Some further correspondence
with the real estate firm mentioned
resulted in their obtaining an option for
thirty days on the property. have con.
suited with Richmond architects, and
they inform me that it can be taken
down, removed to this city and rebuilt
Just as it now stands. We, that is the
company, propose to number every brick,
stone and shingle. The building will be
taken down in sections, and the material
boxed up and transported by rail to Chi.
cago. We will carefully draw every nail
that has not rusted away; will break up
the mortar and use it as far as possible in
the building. Every beam, joist, door
and window will be set in place. The
enterprise will cost about 100000. We
will surround it with another building
200 feet long by 100 wide with glass
roof, and on the wall opposite the rear Of
the prison we will have painted pano-
ramic view of James River and the
country beyond. We will get site that
will be convenient to the centre of the
city and easy of access. We estimate
that the cost will be divided in this way !:
For building $4,000, for tearing down
and boxing $40, 900; for freight $1,000;
for reconstruction $4,000; for site
100000; iHclosing building $4,000. If
we cannot buy the lot we want We will
lease it.
"It is our intention to make an elabo.
rate collection of relics of the Confeder-
ate war, in fact to make perfect muse
uW. LIZ CUuGIdCu lOA tuC uullulnS n11
be closed this month. We hope to get
early possession of the old store of Libby
& Son, and have this portion rebuilt in
time for the Republican National Con.
vention next June. As soon after as it
is possible we will complete the rebuild
ing of the remainder of the prison. I am
informed that up to two years ago, when
the property came into possession of the
Southern Fertilizing Company, the Rich.
mond authorities had to keep . guard
around it to keep off the relic.hunters,
who would have torn it to pieces. /
have been informed that some Of the
Richmond people may kick, but it will
do them no good"
Josiah Cro:ty, one of the incorporators,
in talking of the scheme, said: ut
should be understood that there is no
idea of waving the "bloody shirt in this.
It is simply a business speculation for
what there il in ii"