Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-04-30
WHERE PRINTERS CAN REST.

~-s -
WHERE PRINTERS CAN REST.
The Childs-DrexeI Home Soon TO Be
Opened.
Az INSTITUTION WHICH HAD ITS ORIGIN IN THE
INDULGENCE OF TWO PHuASTHRoPIsTs-DE-
scRIPTToS OF THE BUILDING AT COLORADO
sPRISos-THE DEDICATION EXERCISES TO BE
HELD IN A FEW DAYS.
Printers throughout the entire country are
displaying especial interest just now in the
Childs-Dre1el Home for Union Printers. be-
cause the institution is to be dedicated on May
12-the birthday OF Mr.. Childs. The history
Of the home has been told more than once in
the columns of The STAR While the 1886 con-
vention Of the international Typographical
Union was being held at Pittsburg there was
donated to the convention the sum Of $4,000
1t was the joint contribution Of Geo. W. Chllds.
proprietor Of the Philadelphia Ledger, and
Anthony J. Drexel, the banker. For some
time the union did not know what to do with
the gift. but it was finally decided to make il
the nucleus of fund which would in time be
SUFFICIENT to establish home for WORKOUT
union printers.
To assist in the money growth every msm-
Der within the jurisdiction of the international
organization set 1000 ems of type annually for
the cause. while the stereotypers. electrotypers
and pressmen contributed the results Of one
hours work. and in 1890 tho available cash
amounted to $4,000. In 1899 the ..Interna-
tionar met at Denver, and to the convention
was presented a tract of eighty acres of land
beautifully situated at Colorado Springs. At
that time the land was yalued at $40, 600; to-
day II Is said to be worth 100000.
AT the annual meeting OF 1880 a board OF
trustees was organized. August Donath and
Columbus Hall of this city were of the thir-
teen men this board. Mr.. Donath was
elected president. The building commlt-
tee consisted of August Donsth, John ID.
Vaughan of Denver and George W. Morgan Of
Bellingham Bay. state of Washington. Fifty
nine thousand dollars was the contract price OF
the structure. and more than enough money
has been raised to clear of the entire indebt-
edHess.
A DESCRIPTION or THE BUILDING.
From its commanding location. on an emf
hence 500 or 600 feet higher than the Rio
Grande depot in Colorado Springs. the
Printers Home is plainly to be seen for miles
from any direction outside of the city. 1t
faces the west, overlooking the city Of ats loca-
ton. also Colorado City and the intervening
country to the base OF Pixies Peak and the
Rocky range. 1t is a handsome structure-o.
grayish white lava, trimmed and ornameRted
with red sandstone-1f4 feet in length from
north TO south and Al feet in width. with wing
in rear of the north end 20 by 40 feet. A. the
northwest corner rises n round tower and at the
southwest square I06 feet high. The
main entrance is through a massive porch ten
or twelve feet in depth. and thence through a
similar arch into q yestibule six or eight feey
deep. and thence through heavy double doors
into the reception hall The basement walls
(ashlcr) are of red sandstone backed with lava.
the first course being of Lyon stone. q hard and
durable material. of which the stone steps
leading to the porch and all other stone
steps in the building are formed The first
story walls are of lava. backed with brick,
with sill course. transom bar and cap course
of red sandstone. The second and third stories
are of lava. with sill and cap courses of red
sandstone tro transom bars); frieze OF cornce
Is of red sandstone: corrice Of galvanized iron,
painted 10 the sandstone. The roof is
of cedar shingles, cOlored a red slate. The
dormer windows in the roof and towers are
painted a dark green. The front gable
(above main entrance) is lava. orna-
mented with red sandstone Above the
second-story cap course, on a ribbon Of red
sandstone. Is cut il Gothic Union Printers
Home" On each side of the main porch are
stone steps leading under it to the entrance to
the basement. In the rear of the building is a
porch of from the first story extending from
the southeast corner of the wing to the main
building and thence along IL to its southeast
corner, with area beneath and a stairway to the
balcony on second story (Which covers similar
space as the porch) and pOrches and balconies
around the towers.
There are 221 windows in the building.
The windows on the first floor have Gansoms
with glass 23x2s. The exterior OF the window
Castings and sashes mas been painted dark
green; the anterior Is finished in natural wood
The height of the ceiling on the first floor is
II feet in she clear; basement, second, third
and attic ceilings are 1912 feet in the clear.
From the ground to top of cornice 10 43 feet:
10 top of ridge to roof 60 feet: top of pole on
south tower log feet. line drawn from the
home to the summit Of Pixies Peak fourteen
or fifteen miles Distant shows grade of shout
one and e-half inches 10 the foot.
The square tower is formed by about two
feet of a projection in the front and south
walls. about twenty feet from the corner. The
round tower is formed something like bay
window, extending about six feet beyond
where she corner would be If the tower was not
there. Both towers are story higher than the
square stories of the main building.
Ex-President Plank. who wrote the foregoing
description of the building. closed the letter as
follows: The Printers Home really presents
the appearance of a very fine building indeed,
but il Is necessary TO see it to fully appreciate
what a grand home has been prepared for our
aged and infirm craftsmen who may need its
shelter. Though the enterprise one of
great magnitude FOR US to undertake. the men,
bers of our organization may well congratulate
themselves upon creating an Institution which
will remain an honor q monument and .
blessing to our craftsmen