Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-12-12
A DISMAL FAILURE.
Efforts to Save the Marble Capitals
of the University Rotunda.


CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. December
1.--(Special)- 1.-The removal OF the marble
caps on the columns of the rotunda OF the
University OF Virginia. which were so
badly damaged In the great fire at that
institution, has been dismal failure. so
far as ever being able to again make
use Of these works OF art, in which Mr..
Jefferson took so much pride. Every pre-
caution was taken to get the caps dowr
as whole as possible, but they were
so badly cracked by the intense heat
that they could net bear their own weight,
and broke in many places when removed
The one surrounding the pillar on the
west corner of the port:co has been tied
with rope, and every eff TT will be made
TO save ii as II now Is. IL Is said that
Mr.. Jefferson sat in the window opposite
this pillar and saw the workmen put the
cap In place. and II Is owing TO this
circumstance that extra efforts will be
made 10 save the huge piece of marble.
1t Will be placed In the Brooks Museum.
together with some Of the larger pieces
OF the other capitals. where for years
the collection will be pointed out to visl-
tors. who will be told that the carving
was executed under Mr.. Jenerson's super
selection: how the caps were damaged
IN the great fire OF October "a. i&5. and
how they are venerated because Of their
connection with the great statesman
WILL BE SURPRISED.
Many readers viii be surprised to know
that the caps are In two pieces. and stu
more surprised when 1t Is stated that they
are held In place by locust pins They
were set on thick Circular Pieces OF
granite, and tie whole was placed on top
OF the huge brick pillars.
The roof Of the rotunda has been COM
pleted, and workmen are now engaged
in putting frames, c,vered with cloth, In
all the windows. When this has been
done the structure will be left until next
spring. when the work Of rebuilding viii
commence. Iron girders will be used
throughout the building. and cement
floors, ten and half inches thick, VIII
be put in. The window-frames VIII be
made If cement. or some other fire proof
material and I'm the library the boeh-
cases VIII be made OF steel In fact. tbs
building will be absolutely fire PROOF, and
In style exactly as Jefferson planned II.
PROGRESSING RAPIDLY.
Work on the wings the old Young Mems
Christian ASS citation Hall. and the old
chapel Is progressing as rapidly as tho
weather will permit. The roofs of these
buildings will be fiat. as planned by
Jefferson. and made OF iron, steel. and
cement about eleven inches thick, and
absolutely fire proof. This part Of the
work is in charge OF the contractor who
made the roof over the Senate wing. In
the Capitol at Washington. II Will be
remembered that the roofs OF these build
ings are cone-shaped, and covered with
tin.
At present twenty-odd mechanics and
laborers are al work nj the university.
making repairs and cleaning up. Nc
Donald Brothers & Spo ner are now en-
gagged in making the plans for the ro-
tunda. The work is superintendent by
Mr.. G.. w. Spooner. a member OF the
Arm, who takes great interest and pride
in seeing that everything Is done exactly
as II should be-