National Republican., 1888-03-18
TEXAs' NEW CAPITOL.
The Handsome Building Erected with
out the State Expending u Dollar.


The preparations being made by the
citizens of Austin, Tex, and of that state
generally to celebrate the dedication of
their new capitol building in May next
recalls to mind the occasion, about four
years ago, when the contract was made,
and the wonderful western enterprise cx-
hibited by well-known Chicago business
firm in accepting it under such peculiar
conditions. A representative of the RErUB-
LIcAN is indebted to Senator Charles b.
Farwell, Representative ID. b. Culberson,
and Doorkeeper Henderson for the follow
ing particulars Of the wonderful under
taking:
Under the administration of Gov. Ire
land movement to secure new capitol
building for the state of Texas was in
augurated, but as there were no funds i'm
the state treasury, the officials were at loss
how to proceed. The legislature was APP
pealed TO for assistance, but that body
would not agree to either levy tax or to
issue bonds for the purpose. II was how
ever agreed that the new building was
needed, and the matter was left TO the
state officials to devise ways and means
TO secure the building without levying u
tax on the citizens. Numerous contract
u
large tract of land was offered as payment
for the building. But they all refused to
crcct1t and accept land in payment.
Finally, the well-known and wealthy
| firm of John V. Farwell d Co., of Chicago,
of which Senator Farwcll was secretary,
| was approached on the subject. With
| true western goahcadativeness that firm
saw good investment in the contract,
and about four years ago the articles of
agreement were entered into between tn at
firm and the aforesaid officials. The for
mer agreed to erect capitol building for
the state in five years time to equal any
state building in the country. 1t was to
be bull. of granite, and to be second in
size only TO the national capitol building.
In payment therefor the state gave them
100000 acres of land in what is known
as the panhandle region of the state.
Work was begun at once under the
supervision of Mr.. Gus Wilkie, trusted
representative of the Farwell Company,
and in May next the building will be fin
ished and turned over to the state authori-
ties. The terms of the contract have been
carried out literally, The building is mod
eled sumcwhet after the national one, and
occupies about as much ground as
the United States patent Office. There
| are two tine wings to the building and
a magnificent dome rises from the center.
| The exact cost and dimensions of the
| structure could not be asCertained
Possession Of the immense tract of land
was given to the Farwell Company on
signing the contract, and they AT once pro-
| ceeded to establish cattle raHch of 10000
head thereon. The land is described as
part of the finest in the state and its
original value has been multiplied five
times since the contract was signed. A
| number of sales have been made there
| from by the new owners, and il is esti-
mated that enough has been realized al
| ready from such sales to pay for the cost
of the building, the stocking ofthe ranch
and leaving u handsome dividend for that
enterprising firm. Besides the sales the
firm has over half of the tract left.
The joy of the citizens of Texas over the
completion of the handsome capital is un-
bounded and $4,000 has been subscribed
in Austin TO pay the expenses of grand
civic and military celebration in honor of
the event. The celebration will take place
in May when the building is finished and
will continue one week. Cash prizes ag-
| gregating 5000 will be awarded TO the
military companies competing, the first
prize being 5000. Special prizes will be
given TO the best bands in attendance and
the best exhibition of cowboy tactics.
Free transportation will probably be givea
to all companies and bands entering the
celebration,