The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-02-08
A Chicago Company Preparing to Buy
Libby Prison as , Speculation.
The Old Structure to be Transported to tn
Windy City and Rebuilt
The Cost Of Removing and R.c'nshucting Al
ready Figured 0ut.
To be Set up as Curiosity in a Central
Part of the City-No Bloody Shirt
Shrek in the Scheme.

CHICAGO, February "a new depart
ure 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 yester-
day. The gentlemen who figure as the
commissioners, and who are instrumental
in organizing and developing the scheme,
&c -. es. Is. William Il. Gray, Josiah
"'stty, John A. Crawford and Charles K.
Miller, all Chicago men. The company
- Ii have a capital of 800 600, and it is
understood that all the sock has already
b,:,spplied for. The history of the en-
erl,.ite is best told in the words of Mr..
William II. Gray, to whom is due the
credit Of its inception,
Last November" said he to reporter,
when / was travelling through Eastern
NiIgiuia with Judge Moore, of Toledo, we
met On the road between Old Point Com
fort n Richmond Col. Barnes, q for
mer officer in the Confederate army and
at pr esent engaged in the business OF fruit
growing on large farm near Richmond.
In the course of conversation on the
events of the war reference was made to
the old Libby Prison, and it occurred to
me that il would be good idea to pur-
chase the building and transport 1t to
Chicago. I took Col. Barnes into
my confidence and asked him to
ascertain if the property could
he purchased. Shortly after my return l
received letter from Rawlings e Rose,
real estate dealers in Richmond, stating
that the old prison was now the property
of the Southern Fertilizing Company, aud
that it could be purchased for $23 600. At
nv request Mr.. Crawford, the general su-
perintendent Of the Chicago Towing Com
pany, went to Richmond and looked over
the ground and investigated the possibility
OF moving the building. He returned full
of enthusiasm for the enterprise. Some
further correspondence with the real estate
firm mentioned resulted in their obtain
ing for me an option for thirty days on the
property. The option cost Just 500.
THE building" continued Mr.. Gray,
lis built of red brick, three stories high,
and GOV cred with an old-fsshioned gable
roof. 1t fronts on Cary street and runs
back almost to the James River, the first
story in the rear being the basement in the
front. 1t was built in the good, old-fash-
toned substantial manner which is dls-
tiDgulshlng feature of the plain archi-
lecture of the South, and is Is solid
to-day as when erected over fifty
years ago. 1t contains about 6OO,-
600 bricks, stone caps and stills, and
is surrounded on three sides by stone
| sidewalk. l have consulted with the
architects, and they inform me it can be
taken down, removed to this city and re-
built Just as IL now stands in Richmond.
We, that is the company, propose 70 num-
Der every brick, stone and shingle. The
building will be taken down in sections,
the material will be boxed up and trans
ported by rail to Chicago. We will care
fully draw every nail that has not rusted
away. We will grind up the mortar and
use il as far as possible in the rebuilding.
Every beam, joist, doer and window Will
| be set in place"
What will the enterprise cost2'
Somewhere about 100000. We will
surround it with another building 200x15O
| feet, with glass roof, and on the wall OPP
posite the rear of the prison we will have
| painted a panorama view of the James
| River and the country hey ond."
Where do you intend 70 place II
"We have not yet determined. Some Of
the Exposition people favor tearing down
| the conservatory at the south end of their
building and giving Us site there. How.
ever, we will get a site that will be con-
| venient to the center OF the
| city and easy of access. We es-
| innate tnat the cost will be divided in
| this way. For the buildings, 81 900; for
tearing down and boxing, $40 600; for
freight $40, 600: FOR re- construction, $23 900;
Il IOr the SlJe, TDu,VOO1
| SO, 900. If we cannot buy the lot We want
we will lease, 1t is our intention TO make
an elaborate collection of relics OF the Re-
bellion, in fact, make it perfect museum
| of the late war. We will have panoramic
views of the engagement between the Mon
itor and the Merrimac, and other well
known events of the war"
when do you expect to get to work."
THE contract for the building and prop
erty will be closed this month. We hope
to get early possession of the old store of
| Libby & Son, and have this portion re-
| built in time for the Republican National
| Convention next June. AS soon after as
| is possible we will complete the rebuilding
| of the remainder of the prison.
"Will the Richmond people allow you
| to move the building? Do they take any
local pride in itp'
ST am informed that up to two years ago,
when,the property came into the possession
of the Southern Fertilizing Company, the
| Richmond authorities had to keep guard
| around it to ward off the relic-hunters,
who would have picked it topieces. have
been informed that some OF the Richmond
people may kick, but it will do them no
| good"
Josiah Crafty, one of the incorDorators,
in talking of the scheme, said: at should
be understood that there is no idea OF
waving the bloody shirt in this; 1t is
| simply business speculation for what