Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-09-18
A NICE CORNER LOT.
One Firm Ready to Pay s4OO, 900 for
the Old Post0fice Site.
THE BUILDING SOON TO BE SOLD.
A Big Jump From the Original Valuation
Of the Property.
HOW THE OLD POsTOPFIcE WAS BUILT

| Ane oiu IittspurS pOStOuce ~ e Iltn dfc-
nue. and Smithfeld street will, within a
short time, be placed on the market, and
will be sold to the highest bidder. Post
| master Mexican and the Secretary of the
Treasury are in correspondence regarding
the sale of the property, and the Postmaster
said yesterday that the old building and the
site will be disposed of by the Government
at the earliest possible opportunity.
Several business firms in Pittsburg have
and syndicate of local and Eastern cap
italists have indicated their desire to pur-
chase the site. One Pittsburg firm has Of
fered $780, for the property, and Post
master Mexican expects that when the old
building is placed on sale this offer will be
materially increased After the sale, mo
matter who the purchaser may be, the old
postofice building will be razed and an
other structure will be erected on the site.
The building as it now stands and the
ground upon which it was erected cost the
Government $685. 9S5. The property has not
been taxable, and its increase in value in 40
years is accepted as wonderful In the cost
price of the ground is included several
thousand dollars paid to Boleman & Gar
rison for the lease which they then held.
They operated a foundry on the site.
How the Old Site Was Chosen.
The appended letters bearing on the ap-
pointment of commission without pay to
supervise the purchase of the ground and
the construction of the building are of rare
interest The original letters are now in
posses sion of Postmaster Mexican. The
late Thomas Corwin, Of Ohio, one of the
most eloquent stump speakers this nation
ever knew and a brilliant wit, was the Sec
retary of the Treasury under President
Fillmore. The letters follow:
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, March Is, 1882.
GENTLEhEN-The department having de-
termined to proceed with the construction
of the building proposed for the Custom
House, postoffice, ETC., at Pittsburg, you are
hereby appointed Commissioners to adver-
tise for proposals. make and see to the exc
cution or the contracts and generally to
superintend the work.
Herewith you will receive COPY of letter
of the 18th instant to 1. W. Kerr, Esq, adopt
ing the modified plan for the interior ar
the building approved by the Commissioners
to select the site, directing him to prepare
specifications in detail and working plans
and to advertise for proposals for its con-
struction.
Mr.. Kerr has by letter of this date, a copy
of which is herewith enclosed, been In
formei that said instructions SO far as ad-
vertising for proposals and submitting them
when received for the decision of the de-
partment are concerned, have been super
seded, and the duties arising therefrom
fore to request that you will as soon as the
specifications in detail and working
plans shall have been prepared, take tmme-
diate measures to carry into effect the in
teDtlOLS denarSm6Qt
A Little Short of Money.
In advertising for proposals you will be
governed by the con ditions and limitations
prescribed in the letter of the 13 inst. to Mr.
Kerr. When the proposals shall have been
received and decided upon by the depart
ment further instructions as to your duties
shall be given.
As the balance of the appropriation is
very limited and judging from the estimate
of the cost of the building furnished by the
architect, is likely to be exceeded by the
the department regrets that it is
not in its power to give any compensation
for your services and trusts that your inter-
duce you to undertake the duty gratuit-
ously. Very respectfully, your obedient
servant, THOMAS CoRwIN,
Secretary of the Treasury
MEssRS. HENRY WOODS and SAMUEL RosEBURa,
Commissioners.
PrrrsBURe, PA.
In response the Commissioners wrote:
PITTsBURa. May 13 1853
P. G. Washington. Assistant Secretary U. 8,
Treas, Washington, d. e.
SIR-By letter dated March Is, 1852, IA COW
of which is herewith inclosed), from Hon
Thomas Corwin, Secretary of Treasury, the
were notified of their appoint
ment as Commissioners for the erection of a
custom house, postof1ice, etc.
Pushing the Work Through.
Upon receipt of letter referre d to, we i'm
entered upon the duties assigned
US, and have we believe, performed them in
q faithful and economical manner. The
workmen are now engaged on third story
Of the building, will have it enclosed in
July and we hope entirely completed by the
first day of January next. We contracted for |
the building with Mr.. George Thompson for |
tire building was to have been of brick, por- |
tions of it left unfinished and the orna-
mental part entirely omitted.
During the first session of last Congress q |
which we have been enabled under instruc- |
tions from department to have the entire |
fronts erected of cut stone, and the whole
building made fire proof, as originally in
creasing Its cost to $559s5; we have also with |
approval OF department purchased an ad-
1itionaI lot of ground adjoining the build |
ing for the sum of 81. 600, making in all $50, ,985
md leaving an unexpended balance OF
'l3.oI5. Under this state of things it would |
seem just to allow US small compensatio
for our services, say $3.50 each. Should Won
AXE the same view of the matter, we will
furnish bill to the department for that or
my other amount you may be pleased to |
suggest. Please answer at your earliest con-
Very respectfully, your obedient
servants, SAMUEL RosEBURa,
HENRY WOoDa