The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-10-31


hearthstone in Chickies. Pa They have
been there 30 years. and their restora-
ton to greatness reads like a fairy tale.
In searching for material two antique
lamps, with glass sides and wrought
iron tops. were also found Six OF these
were wont to hang between the win
dows and doors of the Chestnut street
side of the statehouse on days OF great
popular rejoicing. Four others VIII be
modelled from the original pair and all
swung together.
Few changes will be made In the
tower staircase. A restoration will be
effected of the ceiling and holdings TO
their original style and color. The
square tagging OF the main hall on the
first floor will be replaced by tiles SIM
liar TO those in the closet under the
tower staircase.
The portraits that hang In the cham
Der Of the Declaration will all be re-
moved 10 the eastern wing building.
Two doors that once opened through
the east wall of this historic room will
be reopened. They have been closed
and boarded over for years. The old
fireplaces on each side OF the presi-
dents dais yet remain, though bricked
in and walled over. These will be re-
stored with great care. The tile floor
ing will be removed and replaced with
broad boards of that period.
The supreme court room or west
chamber OF the first floor Of the state
house will be cleared Of all deposits in
the National museum. and these relics
will be transferred TO the west wing
building. Originally this chamber was
separated from the entrance hall by an
open colonnade. and this will be repro
duced. The doorways that once opened
out from this room on the northeast
and southwest will be restored. The
freplaces in the west wall are now be-
lieved 20 have been inserted at a date
subsequent to the period OF first con-
struction.
The original wing buildings were con-
nected with the state house by inter-
vening arcades. The alterations made
in this century left indications Of the
original style of construction. and the
wings will be recast into their original
form and semblance by lowering the
roofs and the insertion of windows
like those in the statehouse. The divi-
sion of the rooms on the first floor is the
same as in the original construction.
The new arcades will be rooted In
slate. with steel ceilings. The arcades,
covered staircases, leading 10 the Sec
ond stories of the wing buildings. and
these will be reproduced. Fireplaces
will be restored to the wing buildings.
with wooden mantels and tiled floors.
Ceilings will be painted gray and their
walls a colonial buff. Through the
arches of the arcades an attractive
view of the square, or statehpuse yard,
will be visible.
In the hall of representatives seats
for ia members will be arranged in
three successive tiers. in semicircular
form. The old spectators gallery on the
north side will be restored.
1t is easy to class now what is going
to be done this fall by the people at
work on the statehouse row. But stop
and think OF the preparatory effort
gone through. 1t was no easy matter
TO return to colonial conditions exact
y. Nearly a century and quarter can
eliminate all traces from points and
of a building, and the fine sue
-ess of those who thought il out is an
ndex which points TO tremendous work.
Two years ago city councils declared.
Ter. that the building commission would
rot have the power to destroy any OF
he buildings in State House row. and !
hat restoration 10 the architectural /
conditions of 1916 should receive atten- /
ion. Committees on city property were l
instructed TO see what steps were nee
.ssary 10 bring about such a restora-
ion. Mr.. Warwick asked Mr.. Keyser
o prepare a statement OF the measures
which. in his judgment. were necessary
o this step.
Then came the work. The best anti
luaries Of the country knew the task
vas one OF unfiagging labor. but one
o be marked by tremendous interest.
IF the former there is no doubt. and
he latter is proving Itself by every
lew discovery.
Some one suggested burning the hide
us paint off the senate chamber fire.