The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-06-15
CHICAGO AND BROWNS FORT.

CHICAGO AND BROWNS FORT.
The city of Chicago, whose god is
gold, whose precepts are profits, whose
heaven is the credit column and whose
hell the debit, is now engaged in desc
Grating John Browns Fort
| There is no money in it and hence
Chicago does not want it. With a
great show of sentiment, and an actual
fervor Of greed, Chicago recently dedi-
Gated a Confederate monument. Os-
tensibly this Confederate monument
was Chicago's tribute to the chivalry
of the south. 1t was no such thing.
That monument was not a fearful
memory of southern heroes; it was for
the purpose of hooking in the trade
of the southern heroes survivors. 1t
was not reared in honor of the dead; it
was erected as an advertisement to the
south that Chicago pork and Chicago
beef sis the stuff for the living.
But here is John Browns Fort, COM
memorating the deeds of man who
was right to fanaticism, and senti-
mental to insanity, thrown about and
despised and refused and ridiculed.
The Chicago Times-Herald treats of
the old fort in this fashion:
John Browns fort awaits revival of pa
triouc philanthropy beneath a shed some
where in the southern part of the city.
The bricks that once protected the stern
old abolitionist and his determined little
band of followers from a rain of bullets
now rest upon each other in solid mass
secure from the gaze; Of the curiosity
seeker. Taken from the historic spot at
Harper's Ferry to be reared again in Chi
cago as commercial venture, and an OBJ
Ject lesson in patriotism, it failed in both
respects. Where the home last stood is
now the home Of the patient delivery horse
and the shelter for his hay and oats. Thus
it is that the latter-day history of the
famous fort can be told in these brief
words: Raced to the ground to make
room for a stable 1t may be that this
is the last chapter in the story of the little
brick structure. The Indications are that
the old fort will remain in its present
shapeless condition for long time. No
body seems to be looking for historic
buildings, be they never SO closely identi-
fed with sacred memories.
Charles L. Hutchinson, into whose hands
has been consigned the keeping of the pile
of red bricks, has tried in vani to get them
out of his possession. He first approached
the board OF South Park commissioners
and urged the members TO accept the fort
as a gift. He drew an attractive picture
for them of the old fort standing some
where beneath the trees, a retreat for all
who cared to rest within its walls. He
figured with the commissioners, and dem
onstrated beyond any doubt that the ex-
pense of moving the bricks and putting
them together in their original order would
be trifling. But the commissioners re
fused to be convinced that they needed |
John Browns fort, under any circup- |
stances. One member OF the board, of
aesthetic turn, objected to the architec- |
tural effect that would be presented by the |
square walls and plain roof OF the old fort, |
and said it would not harmonic with |
the surroundings. Another commissioner |
thought the board would not be justified in |
perpetuating memories of the war that |
might be unpleasant to some who visited |
the park.
Mr.. Hutchinson tried to find a site for |
the fort on the west side. He called upon |
the West Park commissioners and used !,
the same arguments that had failed with |
the South Park commissioners. and with |
the same result. The West Park COM
missioners did not wish to be considered |
unpatriotic. They admitted that John /
Browns fort was a Very interesting struc- I
ture, about thirty-five years ago, but they |
really could not see their way clear to-
ward giving it space in the west side
parks. 1t was not q handsome building
when it was new, and somebody might 4
object TO its antiquated style in days to /
come. Besides, there were SO many build
ings in the west park system already that
ii would be difficult 10 find room for an
other
j. w. Ellsworth has also been trying 20 |
find a site where the fort can be again
erected. He went TO Harper's Ferry
where the peope would naturally be most
interes ted in securing the Old building, |
and thus adding one more attraction 10
the memories that are associated with that
place. Mr.. Ellsworth found the people
of Harper-s Ferry willing TO welcome the
fort back 10 its old home. but there were
conditions that prevented such a happy
solution OF the problem. First was the
fact that the exact spot where the fort
once stood is occupied by other buildings
which could not be removed. Second
was the more important obstacle pre-
scented by the lack Of money among the
people Of Harper's Ferry necessary for
the purchase OF another site. Mr.. Els
v orth gave up the plan as hopeless one
ard returned TO Chicago.
When it became apparent that nobody
wanted John Browns fort its owners had
but one alternative left. and that was 10
tear il down and make room for the stable
of 4. NJ. Rothschild * Co. George o. |
Garnsey. the architect who went down TO !
Hampers Ferry and supervised the re-
rnov2i Of the fort 10 this city, was given
the contract again, and now the big pile
Of brick hidden away on the south side
- all that remains 70 suggest he historic |
old building. &r. Hutchinson is guarding
the location Of the material carefully.
Il DO Eoi think II would Be wise TO reveal
the hiding place of the fort" he said 1T
might prove too great temptation for |
rei5e hunters. The brick are al carefully
numbered. and should location ever be
found they could be easily pat together IN
their original order. They are under lock
and key. aId watch IS kept over them be-