Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-08-31

committee it was omitted from the general
appropriation bill. If this money is fur-
nished the postofice can be moved some time
this fall.
In 1880, when the work was commenced
on the new building, there were 90 employees
in the postoffice, 38 Of whom were letter
carriers. Now there are 2S6 The actual
work of the Office has increased 500 per
cent.
1t may have been forgotten by some, but
the older citizens will remember that the
foundation OF the new postofice is laid on
bed of quicksand. 1t is regarded as most
remarkable feat, and is the only example in
the world where a successful foundation
was ever made under such circumstances.
When Architect Malone was engaged in
his famous pile driving operation he was
heartily ridiculed, but the wisdom OF his
plan has since been acknowledged. When
he first assumed charge of the building
General Powers had dug three-foot trench
Tor the foundation. Mr.. Malone some years
before had struck vein of quicksand in
the cellar of the Central Hotel, and he
feared it extended under the building site.
HUNTING THE QUIcKsAND.
he asked the Government to allow him
to sink test wells, and nine were put down,
center and as many more in the rear, where
solid rock was struck. When the
wills had gone down seven feet
along Smithfeld street a lot of
old cellars we're encountered containing
loopskirts, brickbats and kindred articles.
One o! the wells in the center soon reached
the quicksand, and then the job commenced.
Without going into intricate details by
means of an iron curbing the we'll was sunk
65 leet when sloping rock was struck.
These discouraging facts were reported to
the Government, and piles were at once
ordered to be driven into the ground.
About IL feet Of the foundation was dug
out, and the piles were forced into the earth
about 25 eet all around under the founda-
tion. This consumed considerable time.
and to keep them from rotting a lsyer of
sand several ieet deep was placed over the
tops. Over the sand bed of concrete three
feet deep was placed, and then the first
layer of stone was put down. Each stone
was five feet wide and ten feet long, the
stones in the next layer were a little shorter
and in the third one they were five feet
>quare. The foundation proper was then
,tarted on top Of these stones and piles.
THE PILE DRIVING.
Mr. Malone said yesterday that he used a
40-foot pile driver with 8, 900 pound ham,
mer, and when with this weight he could no
longer force down pile 5-100 of an inch he
stopped. He also stated that in his opinion.
judging f.om the arrangement of the peb-
bes aud soil stream once ran over the site,
and this is what made it so difficult to get a
solid foundation. As q result OF his work
he claims that the building to-day has not
sunk in the least, and ne defes anyone to
show that the corners are out of plumb. He
has an instrument which he uses to tell this
fact and he goes over the building carefully
every once in awhile-searehing for flaws
The ancient history of the building will
make interesting reading matter. The need
for such building was long felt, and after
considerable talk and agitation General
Moorehead, who then represented this district
in Congress, secured the passage of a bill
March 8. 1873, appropriating $500, 900 for a
new postofice and Court House or Pittsburg.
At that time the present postofice was con-
sidered rather fine affair, and some of the
citizens declared it was adequate and
sufficient. Their mistake has been demon
strated since. Thomas Steele and Colonel
Phillips wore some of the leading spirits
who worked up the public interest.
FIGHT FOR A SITE.
This amount having been appropriated
then came the scramble for the site, and it
finally narrowed down to three places, the
present site, Hare's Hotel, at the conjunc-
tion Of Fifth avenue and Liberty street, and
the property opposite Trinity church, in
cluding the Lewis block on the cor
ner. The demand was to have the
building located as near the business center
as possible, and Colonel Phillips insisted
that Hare's Hotel was that point Super
vising Architect Muilet. who built the New
York postofice, came to the city, and looked
over the three sites proposed. He was a
shrewd little fellow, and went away keep
ing his own counsel and leaving everybody
in the dark. Public meetings were held,
and the people were divided.
Finally, ter much dickering. the Gov
ernment selected the present site. Seven
viewers were appointed, and they appraised
the property at 1856. 900. Everybody was
in quandary, and the owners OF the other
sites being mad. this gave them
handle, and they went to work again.
At this juncture Thomas Steele put up the
$56, 900, and he was reimbursed by popular
subscription afterward. Simon Johnston
had drug store on the Fourth avenue cor
ner, and be gave 000 Others did the
same, and the propefsy was secured.
THE PROPERTY OWNERS.
William NJ. Darlington was the princi-
pal owner Of the condemned property. His
land extended along Fourth avenue and
part OF Cherry alley. The wilkins heirs
and William Armstrong also owned some
of the property In the block. Mr.. Darling
ton was not satisfied with the price offered
him, and he went into the courts. Judge
Over was his attorney, and the land was In
litigation for two wears. The court finally
awarded him $l9, 600 more than the viewers
allowed him, and this amount was also
raised by subscription. The law suit de-
layed the work for two years.
Congressman Hopkins and Congressman
W. 8. Shallsnberger, of Beaver, who were
favorable to the building, did much 10 se-
cure the subsequent appropriations, The