Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-04-11
AFTER THE OLD FORT.
New Schemes Proposed for
the Preservation of the
Block House.
WORLDS FAIR WANTS IT.
The Daughters of the Revolution OBJ
ject to Its Removal.
REQUEST MADE TO MRS. SCHENLEY
To Donate the Ground Upon Which 1t Stands
Not Granted.
WORLDS FAIR WANTS IT.
.EOUEST MADE TO MRS. SCHENLEY
To Donate the Ground Upon Which 1t Stands
Not Granted.
ITMAY BE REBUILT IN THE CITY PARK

The old block house at the Point, the
only remnant of Fort Duquesne, is just
now the subject of several schemes for its
preservation and exhibition. One scheme
| is that of the Daughters of the Revolution,
who have asked Mrs. Schenley to donate
the building and a good-sized tract of
ground around it to their society, which
promises to improve its surroundings and
preserve the building as a relic of the Rev.
olution.
Another scheme is that of the local MEM
bers of the Worlds Fair Commission, who
desire to transport the building to Chicago
for exhibition. They claim its fame has
been perpetuated in the works of Mcknight
and others as well as in Revolutionary his.
tory, and it would he great attraction if
properly placed at the Fair, and they think
it could be moved without serious damage.
Talk of Moving 1t to tho Park.
Still another scheme on foot is to have
the building removed to Schenley Park. 1t
would no doubt prove an object of great
interest at the park, but the Daughters of
the Revolution argue that its value as a
landmark, or as a figure of old Fort Du-
euesne, would be entirely lost by its re-
moval from its present location. Its pres
ent foundations, they say, are those built
by the French and Indians when the fort
itself was erected, and even the old tunnel,
which is part of it and which runs for
several hundred feet toward the Mononga-
hela river, is still there. Comparatively few
know of the existence of this tunnel. 1t is
unused now, and is full of mud and rubbish
at the opening, but little expense in dig
ging and cleaning up would restore the old
cave and make it interesting to sightseers.
Filled Up and Forgotten.
There was at one time an opening to it on
what is known as Redouot alley, but it was
filed up and forgotten many years ago. The
purpose OF the tunnel is not known, but it
is supposed that it was used either for the
storage of ammunition or a place of con-
cealment for prisoners.
Chief Bigelow is supposed to be one of
those interested in getting the block house
removed to the park, but while he made no
denial when asked about it yesterday he
said there were enough old buildings at the
park and no moro were needed. The chief
had plan made the other day showing the
Point district, with the Exposition building
ly, and with large sized lot marked out
around the latter.
Suggestion for Mrs. SchenIey.
This, he said, had been made for gentle
man whose name he was not at liberty to
give, but who evidently had some propo-
si:ion for the preservation of the old build
ing on hand. as the plan was to be sent with
a communication to Mrs. Schenley.
1t is thought possible that the Exposition
Society is making another effort to get the
building. They tried it two years ago, but
Mrs. Schenley declined to give it up to
them, Though her son, when here shortly
afteryarG. intimated that she would proba-
bly, give the building and the ground on
which it stands to the city if the proper off,
GERS would ask for it. Mrs. Schenley's
agents in this city advise her not to give up
too much ground with the building, as il is
valuable and is growing more so every day
She has evidently taken their advice, for
none of the schemes yet proposed have
borne fruit. The number of persons who
are interested and the schemes they have on
hand are, however, a good indication that
something will soon be done to preserve the
old landmark.