The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-06
NEW THING IN RELIC HUNTING.
Chicago Men Purchase Libby Prison and Will
Garry Tito the Lake City and Rebuild 1t.

CHICAGO Feb. ga new departure in the
line of relic worship has been taken in this city.
The preliminary steps for tho formation of
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 de-
veloping the scheme are Messrs William H.
Gray, Josiah Crafty. John A. Crawford and
Charles K. Miller, all Chicago men. The COM
pany will have capital of $500, 600. and it is
understood that all the stock has already been
applied for The history of tie enterprise is
best told in the words of Mr.. VIM. Fl.
Gray, to whom is due the credit
for its inception. Last November" said
he to reporter, when | was
travelling through eastern Virginia with Judge
Moore of Toledo. we met on the road between
Old Point Comfort and Richmond Colonel
Barnes, former officer in the confederate
army, and at present engaged in the business OF
fruit growing on>a large farm near Richmond.
In the course of conversation on thu events of
the war. reference was made to tho old Libby
prison, and it occurred to me that it would be a
good idea to purchase the building and trans
port it to Chicago. | took Colonel Barnes into
my confidence and asked him to ascertain if the
property could be purchased. Shortly after my
real estate dealers in Richmond. stating that
the old prison now the property of the
Southern Fsrtizine Company and that 1t could
be purchased for $23 QUO. At my request Mr.
Crawford. the general superintendent of the
Chicago Towing Company, went TO Richmond
and looked over the ground and Investigated the
possibility of moving tho building. He returned
full of enthusiasm for tho enterprise. Some
further correspondence with the real estate firm
mentioned resulted in their Obtaining for me
option for thirty DAYS the property. The OPP
inst he h1Iild
Gray, els built of red brick, three, stories
high, and covered with old -fashioIed gable
roof It fronts on Cary street and runs back
almost to the James river. the first story in the
rear being the basement in front 1t was built,
in the good old-fashioned substantial manner
which is a distinguishing feature of the plain
architecture of the South. and is as solid
to-day when erected. over fifty years ago. 1t
contains about coo. 900 bricks. stone caps and
stills. and is surrounded on three sides by stone
sidewalk. have consulted with the architects,
and they inform mo it can be taken down, re-
moved to this city and rebuilt just as it stands
in Richmond, Va: that is, the company propose
to number every brick. stone and Single. The
building will be taken down in sections; the
material will be boxed up and transported by
rail to Chicago. We will carefully draw every
nail that has not rusted away. We Will grind
up the mortar and use it, rs far as posi- BILE. in
the rebuilding Every beam. ioist door and
window will be set in place."
what will the enterprise cost"
Somewhere about 5000. 200. We will
round it with another building 200 by $50 feet
with glass roof, and on the wall opposite the
rear of the prison will have painted a pano-
famic view of the James river and the country
beyond"
'.Where do you intend to place it2'
1--WE have not yet determined. Some of the
exposition people favor tearing down the con-
servatory at the south end of their building and
giving a site there. However, will get
site that will be convenient to the center of the
city and easy of access We estimate that the
cost will be divided in this way: For the build
ipgs. $23. 600; for tearing down and boxing $l0,-
O0O for freight, So 900; for reconstruction, 1928
600; for the site. $50, 600; inclosing building
$4,000. If we cannot buy the lot we want we
will lease. 1t is our intention to make an elabo
rate collection of relics of the rebellion-in fact
will have panor annie views of the engagement
between the Monitor and the Merrimac, and
other well-known events of the war"
wv hen do you expect to get to works"
tine contract for the building and property
will be closed this month. We hope to get
early possession of the old store of Libby e Son,
and have this portion rebuilt in time for the Re-
publican national convention next juno. As soon
after as is possible. we will complete the re-
building of the remainder of the prison"
will the Richmond people allow you to move
the buildingl Do they take any local pride
in it,"
II am informed that up to two years ago.
whom the property came into the possession of
the Southern Ferrilizing Company, the Rich
mond authorities had to Keep guard around it
to ward of the relic hunters who would have
pick ed it to pieces. [ have been informed that
will do them no good"
JOSIAH Crafty. of the incorporates, in
talking Of the scheme, said: ut should be
derstood that there Is idea of waving the
bloody shirt in this; it is simply business
speculation for what there is in it."