The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-11-29

Squire Sullivan and William Robson. both
now dead, and myself were appointed n
committee to correspond with members OF
Congress to ask them to urge the apprO-
priation. Letters were written TO all the
Indiana Senators and Representatives..
But three replies were received, and one
of them was unfavorabIe. Senator Jesse
R.0o1 BrIght tS snd Mr. Rsn,..s ThSnas a;
Congress for this district. both
Democrats. gave encouraging answers,
while Samuel W.. Parker, a Wing. from the
Connersville district, wrote that 1T was
contrary to the policy of the government
to erect public structures and that our re-
quest was an improper subject for an ap-
lit was q long time after that before the
first appropriation was secured-in 1856, l
think. hat was $4,000: IN 1857. S67.0O
more; in 1859. S4O.O 900, and in 1868, SIS. 1000.
The corner upon which the federal build
ing stands had long been occupied by the
late Frederic Foltz. father of Howard
Foltz, with O carriage and blacksmith
late w. H. Talbot. who held it u year OF
SO and then sold to the government.
The original building was not ready
for occupancy until 1861, at the breaking
out of the war. 1t was not long until it
became apparent that the building was
much too small. and that an addition was
necessary. In 1869 | went to Mr.. Mullett.
supervising architect of the Treasury.
told him that we would need more room.
He came out to this city. and, after looking
We went together to Mr.. Boutwell,, Secre-
tary of the Treasury. and Mr.. Mullett rec
commended that the lot east of the postottice.
which was then occupied by Eden d Cope.
land with a planing-mlll, be bought"
THE original building occupied one hun
dred feet front on Pennsylvania street and
sixty on Market. The addition atterward
placed on the east is sixty feet square,
BOUTWELL, DID o KNOW.
Secretary Boutwell, hooted at the idea
of adding to the size of the building, and
said the federal building in Indianapolis
would never need occupy any more ground
thar it did at that time. The matter went
over to Mr.. Boutwelrs successor. the ground
was bought snd the addition to the build
ing maoe. At that time l earnestly adyo-
Gated the purchase of the entire quarter of
a square o.. which the postofflce building
stands, but it was not done-until two years
ago, and then the government paid three
times as much for the ground AS 1t could
have been purchased fox at the time l was
trying to induce the purchase"
1T took over two years to bnild that ad-
ditlon to the postoflice building" remarked
ex~-Postmaster Holloway, and 1t cost some
thing over $4,000. The work was begun in
1873. There was q qulcksand at the south
west corner of the old building. and wagon
load after w~agon-Ioad of heavy stone were
dumped in to make something solid for the
foundation to rest upon. For q long time
the stones would sink ont of sight as soon
a. they were dumped there. but after q
while they struck China. and the founda-
ton was laid over the quicksand."
Postmaster Thompson was seated in his
private Office. Right here where l now
sit,n said he TO the reporter. lis the site
that was occupied by my fathers house
before The postof6c e WAS built. All around
here was my playground when l was o
bovv