Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-02-06
A GREAT MASONIC ENTERPRISE.
The Fraternity Has Decided to Erect an
Immense Building in Chicago.

The Fraternity Has Decided to Erect an
Immense Building in Chicago.
For several years there has been consid
cradle agitation in Chicago regarding the
erection of more commodious quarters
than are now occupied by the Masonic
fraternity in that city, but until recently
the project had never assumed tangible
form 1t is now a fact almost beyond
doubt that the fondest aspirations of the
Masons in this respect will be realized, and
that very soon. At meeting of the Ma,
sonic fraternity in November the advisa-
bility of taking immediate action was
discussed and a committee, consisting OF
Messrs. Norman T. Gassette, Amos Gran
mis-, Thomas E. Miller, E. R. Bliss, N. HI
Greenbaum, John Glaze, G. F. Gunther,
Daniel f. Chilly, George M. Moulton, and
John B. McFatrich, was appointed to take
initial steps. The functions of this com
mittee were to secure location, suggest
ways and means, and report at a subse-
quent meeting of the craft. The ideas
formulated by these men relative to loca-
ton, size and kind of building contem-
plated, together with its probable cost,
were approved by the Masons without a
dissenting voice, and still further adj
vance In the enterprise was effected by the
appointment of Messrs. Norman t. Gas
settle, Amos Grannis, and E. r. Bliss to
proceed with definite action
Until this stage of the fraternity's de-
alterations the scheme had only taken the
form of discussion, but few colossal
strides on the part of Mr.. Gassette and
his fellow committee member, reveals an
enterprise as great and praiseworthy as
that so successfully performed by Mr.. Fred
Peck. Upon an area of ground ITO by 80
in extent, fronting on State street and
hanked by Randolph street directly north
of Central Music Hall, building of
twelve or fourteen stories is to be erect
ed. In every respect the structure is to
embrace the latest improvements, conform
ing alike to the ingenuity of the architect
and the skill of the decorator. 1t is esti-
mated that the approximate cost of such a
building as they contemplate will be at
least 81 100000 This amount, with the
amount paid for the land, makes deal
aggregating over 81 100000.
As the contingencies of the Masonic
brotherhood will demand but compare
lively small portion of the building, the
remainder is to be disposed of in this
manner: The State street frontage will
be resigned to stores and mercantile pur-
poses, and hotel of $50 rooms established
on that part of the next six floors not de-
voted to lodge uses. On the topmost floors
offices for business or professional purposes
will be arranged.
That such an immense building, and of
such multiform capacities, will not be des-
tined to financial failure, the committee
have ascertained by analogous calculation,
that the expenses incident to a structure of
that character can be sustained by current
rentals. The capital stock is fixed at
100000, divided into 10000 shares of
800 each. Individual Masons or Masonic
bodies can subscribe for shares, and it is
expected that several hundred wealthy
Masons will Immediately subscribe for fifty
shares each. When completed this will be
the third largest building in Chicago.