The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-02-06
LIBBY PRISON AS A SHOW
CHICAGO CAPITALISTS TO TAKE
IT TO THAT CITY.

$4,000 to be Paid for the Building as
II Stands at Richmond-How 1t Will
Be Taken Down, Transported and
Put Together Again Within a Build
ing.
CHICAGO, Feb. 5--A new departure in
the line of relic worship has been taken in
this city. The preliminary steps for the
formation of a corporation whose object
is the purchase and removal to this city of
the famous Libby prison, of Richmond,
Va, were taken here yesterday. The gen
ternen who figure as commissioners, and
who are instrumental in organizing and de-
veloping the scheme are: Messrs William
Fl. Gray, Josiah Crafty, John A. Crawford
and Charles K Miller, all Chicago men.
The company will have capital of S400,-
COO, and it is understood that all the stock
has already been applied for.
HISTORY OF THE SCHEME.
The history of the enterprise is best told
in the words of Mr.. Gray, to whom is due
the credit for its inception: Last Novem-
ber," said he, when | was travelling
through Eastern Virginia with Judge Moore,
of Toledo, we met on the road to Old Point
former officer in the Confederate army. In
/ the course of a conversation on the events
of the war reference was made to the old
Libby prison, and it occurred to me that it
would be good idea to purchase the build
ing and transport it to Chicago.
ON THE MARKET
| Il took Col. Barnes into my confidence
| and asked HIM to ascertain if the property
could be purchased. Shortly after my re
turn | received a letter from Paulings 81
Rose, real estate dealers in Richmond, stat
ing that the old prison was now the prop
| erty of the Southern Fertiiizing Company
and that it could be purchased for $23, 600
At my request Mr.. John A. Crawford, Gen
eral Superintendent of the Chicago Towing
Company, went to Richmond and looked
over the ground and investigated the possi-
| bty of moving the building. He returned
. full of enthusiasm for the enterprise.
AN OPTION OBTAINED.
Some further correspondence with the
/ real estate firm mentioned resulted in their
1 obtaining for me an option for thirty days
on the property. | have consulted with
architects, and they inform me it can be
1 taken down, removed to this city and re-
built Just as it now stands. We, that is the
i 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
EVEN THE NAILS DRAWN.
I'VE will carefully draw every nail that
has not rusted away. We will bring up the
/ mortar and use it as far as possible in re-
building Every beam, joist, door and
1 window will be set in place The enter
4 prise will cost about 5000, GOO We will
4 surround it with another building 200xI00
feet, with a glass roof and on the wall op-
poslte the rear of the prison we will have
I painted a panoramic view of the James
1 river, and the country beyond. We will get
a site that will be convenient to the center
Of the city and easy of access.
TIRE ESTIMATED COST.
1--WE estimate that the cost will be di-
vided in this way: For the building $23, 900,
for tearing down and boxing $4,000, for
freight 81 900, for reconstruction $23, 900.
for site 900, inclosing building $4,000.
If we cannot buy the lot we want we will
lease it. 1t is our intention to make an elabo-
rate collection of relics of the rebellion, in
fact make it a perfect museum. The con-
tract for the building will be closed this
month. We hope to get early possession of
the old store of Libby q Son and have this
portion rebuilt in time for the Republican
National Convention next June. As soon
after it as possible we will complete the re-
building of the remainder of the prison.
GUARDED AT RICHMOND
81 am informed that up to two years ago
when the property came into possession of
the Southern Fertilizing Company, the
Richmond authorities had kept guard
around it to keep off relic-hunters, who
would have torn it to pieces. / have been
informed that some of the Richmond peo-
pie may kick, but it will do them no good. ~
Josiah Crafty, one of the incorporators,
IN talking of the scheme, said "It should
be understood that there is no idea of wav-
ing the bloody shirt in this 1t is simply
business speculation for what there is in