Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-06-26
stone, en- opening having been cut for
its reception. The box contained;


Names Of the city officers records, etc.
Photog raphic views pertaining to Rock Island
Printed and written records OF national and
state Y. II. G. A. work.
Copy o the scriptures.
The report of the building committee
made through Mr.. A. NJ. Blakesley out
lined tue work of the movement from the
time the first subscriptions to the fund
were made Jan 80 81. by two little girls,
of Reyr olds, Illinois. and were for fiftv
cents each. To this was added, little
later, gift of like amount by Rock
Island boy. In May of the same year.
the board of directors appropriated the
surplus from the current expense fund of
previous years, amounting to over 5000,
to the same object. On the evening of
Sept. 3, 81, a meeting of members of the
Associa ion was held, at which 81 900
was suit scribed and a building committee
appointed. The project began with a
proposition to rent, and later, to buy No,
1909. Second avenue, next to buy and
remodel the Armory building, and after
some efforts looking TO joint building
on Spencer square, it was finally decided
to buy 8 site and build. The question of
location was of great difficulty. The
committee carefully considered twenty
three sizes, being all that were available
that were at all suitable, and the result
was a unanimous decision, by the COM
mittee and association. for the present
location. The purchase was consumated
in Aug, SS, by articles of agreement,
and the transfer made by deed in March,
SO, at which time entire payment was
made and q satisfactory and clear title
secured The movement received great
help from the state convention, Sept 'SS,
shortly after which the fund stood at
S12, 600, with all subscriptions bin.ing
In Oct, '8S, the committee decided on
an architect, and since then have spent
much time on the plans and held several
consult atoms with the best posted associ.
alton N en- in the country. The thorough,
careful work done has resulted in floor
plans perfectly adapted to the need of
the association. In June, 80. the con-
tract for the foundation was let, which
was completed in August. 1t rests on
rock and is laid throughout in cement
The contract under which the present
work is being done. calls for enclosing
the building and finishing four rooms by
Sept. u, next.
The total cost of lot and foundation
was SLID. The present contract is fol-
$16,290. The total available subscrip-
ton to the present time is $16.6S6. leav.
ing, after deductions for architects fee
and other expenses. over $1,000 to b.
raised ON present contract.
Mr.. s.. T. Houghton, of Peoria, mem
Der of The illinois State Executive com
mittee of the Y. M. G. A, made an ad
dress on the significance of the corne
stone to structure, such as this prom
| ised to be, and spoke at length on tn,
work OF the association in the way o
new buildings. complimenting the Roc
Island branch for what it had done, ant
dwelt on the accomplishments of the Y
NJ. G. A. everywhere in the state.
There was another selection by tn
male chorus, the benediction by Rev. g
w. Cue, and the exercises closed.
| About twenty members of the state ex
ecutive committee of the Y. M. G.. A
are in he city. and are holding meetin
in the parlors of the Broadway church.