The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-02-07
NORTHERN ENTERPRISE.
LIBBY PRISOy TO BE- RENOTED
BODTLY TO CHTCAGO

n 'nfteSV D ~ i'' r~'f'''f
The Building to be Taken Down and
Rebuilt Exactly as IL stands To be a
Museum of war Relics.
4 recent Chicago telegram SAYS -
new departure in the line Of relic wOr-
ship 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 gentlemen
who figure as the commissioners and who
are instrumental in organizing and devel-
oping the scheme are Messr- william
IL. Gray, Josiah Crafty, John A. Craw.
ford, and Charles X Miller, all Chicago
men. The company will have a capital
of S4O0O 900, and it is understood that all
the stock has already been applied for
The history of the enterprise Is best told
in the words OF Mr. Gray, TO whom is due
the credit for its inception. Last Nov
ember," said he, when | was travelling
through eastern Virginia with Judge
Moore of Toledo. we met on the road TO
Old Point Comfort ami Richmond Col
Oncl Barnes, former oiliccrin the Con-
fc1crale army. In the course Of con
yersaliOn on the events of ,hc war re-
ference was made to old Libby prison,
and 10 occurred 10 me that ii would be
good idea 10 purchase the building and
transport it 10 Chicago. ! took Colonel
Barnes into my confidence and asked him
90 ASCERTAIN if the property could be pur-
chased shortly after my return receiy
ed letter from Rawlings X Rose, real
estate dealers in Richmond, stating that
the old prison was now the property of
the Southern Fertilizing Company and
that it could be purchased for $4,000
Atmy request Mr. John A. Crawford.
the general superintendent of the Chicago
Towing Company, went 10 Richmond,
and looked over the ground, and invesli
gated The possibility of moving the build
ing lie returned full of cnthgsam for
the enterprise. Some further corresp0n-
denCe with the real estate firm mention
ed resulted i'm their obtaining for me an
option for thirty days on the properly
! have consulted with the architects. and
they inform me 10 can be taken down, |
removed io thi. cify. and rebuilt lust b,
u noW stands Ne-that IT,, the com.
pany propose tO number every brick. |
stone, and shinglc The Building will be
taken down in sections: the material
will he bowed MP and transported by rail
TO Chicago. We will carefully draw
every nail that has not ruslcd away we
will bring up the m0iar and Use il as far
rs possible In the rebuilding. Every
beam. i0i,t door. and window will be set
IN place. The enterprise will cost about |
s2Oo 600 We will surround i; with an
other building 200 by 100 feet, with "a
glass roof, and on the wall opposite the |
rear of the prison W. will have painted /
view of the James river and /.
the country beyond.
RAWLINGS AND ROSE INTERVIEWED.
y Times reporter Yesterday called 10
see Messrs Rawlings aud Rose on the /
matter Mr Rawlings, the senior mem /
ber OF the hrn, when asked about the |
purchase was at first exceedingly reti- !
cent In fact, he said lie knew nothing /
The reporter then showed him the above |
telegram, and his eyes opened lie said /
that for three weeks ne had been the /
agent of MIR William IT, Gray, a Chicago f.
for the purchase and removal |
Of Libby prison, bat had kept ii secret,
because he was merely an agent. and was /
surprised to learn that the newspapers
knew of it,
TIE STORY CORROBORArED.
will state. continued Mr. Rose. that
what Mr.. William H. Gray says is so. | |
have had yoluminous correspondence /
with him. ON the l4th of January he /
eicgraphed me that Mr.. john 4. Craw.
ford had been sent 10 Richmond 10 con
Ter with me- All the correspondence |
was with Mr. Gray The company /
know nothing about Mr. Crawford |
arrived Saiuriay, January 2lsi, and pre-. /
,ortej letter from Mr.. Gray giving him F.
.uli authority to treat.
THE PRISON SOLD FOR $23,300
On that day a limited option was
agreed upon between Mr. Crawford and /
.he Southern Feriilizing Company, and /
IN The 2Sth an absolute option was Sc
cured for thirty days, and an absolute
sale has been closed for S23 300 on terms
% he agreed upon.
This whole transaction was carried out
By the firm of Rawlings d Rose and in
4 few days the papers will be signed.
Colonel Palmer, president of the South
srn Fertilizing Company, being told that
he building might be removed, said he
lad no objections if it was thrown in
he river just so it was paid for
The. Chicago parties intend making the
building a museum Of war relics.