Morning journal and courier., 1891-09-26
CHICAGO WILL NOT GET IT.


 A scheme to Remove the Benedict Arnold House to the Worlds Fair. That those who have hand in the man. aoement of the worlds fair at Chicago are keenly alert and on the lookout for at fractions, is evident from two letters which have been written from Chicago to this I city,
 The writers of these letters enquired if the old Benedict Arnold house on Water street in this city could be purchased.~ If the ancient mansion could be bought the buyers would take the house to pieces and transport it to Chicago for exhibition at the Columbian fair in 1893. One of the writers mailed his letter to one of the own- CTS of the historical residence, the other wrote to Colonel Gardner Morse, the agent of the building. An owner of an undi- vided interest in the house in answer to the question regarding the purchase of the building replied, 'No, it cannot be bought"
 The New Haven gentleman referred to stated recently that it would be very diff cult to take down the house in such con diuion that it would be fit to erect again. The nails used in it's construction are all the old-fashioned handmade wrought nails. The timbers are of the strongest kind of oak, and as they have seasoned for more than, 100 years, they are as hard as can be.
 The house was erected by Benedict Ar | hold in 1774, which was before the Revoln- | tionary war. It was confscated by the l United States government and was sold 1 by Pierpont Edwards, who had the man. agement of the property for the govern ment. Captain Prout, who purchased the property, sold it to Noah Webster of die | tionary fame, whose residence in the house gives it an additional historical interest. MT. Webster sold the property to Captain James Hunt.
 l. Soon after Benedict Arnold's young wife died he went from this city to the battle ot 1 Bunker Hill.
 l Betsey Arnold sister of the former owner, had mortgage on the property, which was allowed by MT. Edwards, who paid her claim. Several years ago a shrewd woman came here from Pennsylvania and made at he1 1 own expense such slight improvements at l would make the rooms attractive to the l public, when she charged an admission fee to visitors. Many persons have travelec long distance to see the house. The building is now occupied by families anc rents we'll. It is no uncommon thing fol | visitors to ask of the tenants permission l to look at the rooms. These visitors ire | quently pay the tenants small sums for the privilege of looking through the rooms o the ancient relic. The several owners o1 the building are frequently interviewed re garding the house. Men from other cit ies often seek information regading thu | building, a picture of which is in tn, rooms of the historical society.
 The lot on which the house stands com prises one and one-half acres, and is 33l feet deep by 40 feet front. The lot Ii wider in the rear than in front, whicl accounts for the acreage.
 The New Haven gentleman spoken O who has financial interest in the histor ica1 mansion removed the mantel and or had them placed in his own house, wher they make very attractive appearance, a the tiles are works of ert and give evidenc that artists of unusual ability existed ii olden times. These tiles were careful removed from the old house by MT. Ere Forth, 8 jeweler.
 The house has been visited by reli hunters, who have taken away considers ble from the premises. The massiv knocker on the front door was stolen sey eral years ago.
 When the New Haven part owner, spe ken of above, was asked last night if tn owners of the property would consent to sale of the house to the Chicago parties b replied: "It won't go to Chicago. If it worth anything relic we may as we keep it in New Haven"