Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1893-09-23

ture, after which the grand chorus
sung. The programme was lengthy
one and concluded with the singing of
the "Star-Spangled Banner" by the
grand chorus, the audience joining in
the singing.
History of the Capitol.
The story of the capitol is an interest ting one,
beginning with the great fight made by Wash
ington and Jefferson to secure its location in
the present place. The corner stone of the
original building, which remains undisturbed
where it was laid with imposing masonic rites
| by Master Mason George Washington on the
| 18th of September 1893 is located under the
| law library, in the basement beneath the ro.
| tunda. No record has ever been found of the
| impressive ceremonies attendant upon this
| function, and no really authentic account can
| be given of the books papers, jewels or records
| that may have been deposited within that
stone.
DR.. William Thornton, native of the West
| Indies and q naturalzed American citizen,
siding in Philadelphia, and Stephen Halett,
| French American, also resident of Philadel-
| phia were the first architects. james Hoban,
| an Irish American, and resident of Charles
| ton, s. C., was however, the principal super
| vising architect in charge of the execution
| OF the plans prepared by Dr. Thornton
| and Mr. Hallett Others were engaged
| subsequently in similar capacities up to
| the destruction of the building during the
| war with Great Britain, in lsl3 after which
| Mr. Benjamin H Latrobe another Philadel-
| phian, had charge, and to him, more than to
any other man. doubtless belongs the credit OF
the construction OF the middle section. II was
not properly occupied by congress until the
winter of 1900, nine years after the first appro-
priation was made for its erection, and seven
| years after the corner stone was laid
So, it appears from this necessarily brief
| statement of its earlier architectural history,
| that the building, us We now see 1t, with its
massive wings, noble dome and unequaled ex-
panse OF marble terrace, began with what
might well be termed small beginning and
has been over q century in course of construc-
tion, and yet is not complete.
1t was not until 1859 that congress mad e
provision for the addition OF the senate and
house wings, as they now stand. Previous to
that the house OF representatives held its ses-
sons in the chamber now known as Statuary
hall, and the senate met in the room
now occupied by the supreme court
AS the membership OF these august
bodies increased with the growth of
the nation, the necessity for more room in
| which they should hold their deliberations be-
came apparent And then il was that the COM
prehensive conception of to-day was born or
brought into light Changes were made in many
| respects, improvements and remOdeings, the
present cramped library room added the
new dome built, and in short, between
that date and the present, with the
exception OF few months during
the civil war, the process OF rebuilding
practically rebuilding the capitol has
been going The corner stone OF the exten.
stons or the enlarged building" as 1t was de
scribed at the time, was laid by President Fill
more July 4, 1851, at which time Daniel Web
ster then secretary of state, delivered char
> acteristically grand and appropriate Grafton.
, Mr.. Thomas N. Walter, another Philadelphian
: was selected to be the architect, and held the
position until 1865, when Mr.. Edward Clark
the present incumbent, was appointed.
I The center portion of the building, ap
, preached by magnificent marble stairways
Q presenting most imposing facade, Is built OF
sandstone, the original color of which was vel
. low, but is now kept painted white. to make i
a correspond with the north, or senate wing
q and the south, house wing, both o
A which are built OF blue-veined white
Z marble from the quarries near Lee
n Mass. 1t was at first designed 10 buil(
q this center portion of brick, for economy wa
h the order of the day at that time; but finally
Virginia sandstone was chosen on the score o
d economy also; and, also perhaps the origina
n designers had not the slightest conception o
!, the future grandeur OF the structure they wer,
4. then beginning. In fact, the first advertise
q ment for it, calling for brick contemplated
/ only two large assembly rooms for the accom-
h modaton OF 3OJ persons each, with u lobb
n and twelve smaller rooms, TO be used for CON
}. mittee purposes. That this idea wa
v primitive and inadequate is shown b
IF the fact that the present capitol contains II
ID rooms, instead OF fifteen besides numberles
,f small storerooms and vaults 1t covers n
g. area OF 7l,OU0 superficial feet 1t is constructe
IS mainly OF marble and iron In and about Il
A. sustaining Terraces galleries and loggias, ar
n- 1874 massive Corinthian colums, 100 OF which ar
monolithic The seating capacity OF the senai
,r and house wings, including galleries and nc
al including corridors is 400 each, and II is est
&c mated that standing room could be foun
IN for as many more people II occasion n
nt quired. The building is 75i feet inche
no in length and S5I feet from the cast to the ives
n. through the rotunda, including the west proje
a tion, wherein is now located the great congre
n. sionnl library. The total cost of the entil
n. structure up to this writing cannot be posItiv
in ly stated, but the figures given in the appropr
NO alton bills up 10 recent date show that qui
$4,000 600 have been expended upon 1t since 4
erection was begun In 1901.
SIS Edward IIagerman, 7-year-old boz
an hanged himself ut st. Louis