The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-11
PLATs MADE IN JUNE.
Campbell, "a DrauEhtsman in Park
Board Office. Worked on Them.

Campbell, n DrauEhtsman in Park
Board Office, Worked on Them.
Every day that passes further traces of
the Taggart bog scandal are found Il now
appears that plats of the bog were made
in June, for what purpose does not appear.
II. L. Negley learned of this fact and in
formed a reporter yesterday that Henry r.
Campbell, a real estate man living at 1865
North Illinois street. had a son who was
employed as draughtsman when the Park
Board suspended, and that the young man
was at that time working on plats of the
Taggart land. Mr.. Campbell was seen and
corroborated the report. He said that his
son was given temporary employment by
Park Engineer Power with the understand
ing that he should have permanent employ
ment after the board began purchasing
land and there was work to be done. Mr..
Campbell gave the two plats his son made
to the Journal, and they are now in the
office of this paper.
Mr.. Campbell says that his son brought
the plats home the night the board quit
doing work to show to the family, and that
as he did not return to the
park office Monday morning, they
had remained in the house ever
since. Saturday night before starting down
had heard his son mention the Taggart
farm while he was working in the park
engineers office. Young Campbell was up
stairs and his father called to him, asking
if those plats he brought home were not OF
the Taggart land. He replied that they
were, and on his fathers suggestion went
into library, secured them and tossed them
down to his father. Saturday night Mr..
Campbell showed them to Mr.. Negley.
Young Campbell was seen last night. He
said that he went to Mr.. Power with a
letter of introduction from a friend who had
also seen Mr.. Power on his behalf: The
park engineer referred him to Harry Reins-
hagen, the chief draughtsman who selected
a field book of Mr.. Powers survey OF the
Taggart land from several others and
handed it to him, directing him to try his
hand on that"
Were you told what was wanted with
plats of the Taggart land?"
mo. nothing was SAID to me ABOUT Wnat
they wanted with it. All 1 know is | was
ordered to do the work"
No explanations were ever made to any
of the subordinates of the Park Board when
they were required TO do anything touching
the notorious bog. They were kept in the
dark to the aid p Eo Sd fhe on PrnSPa
Il don't know-three or four days guess.
1t was a little off. L made an error IN the
calculations somewhere. Then they put nre
making tracings Of plats. When | had
worked on the tracings while Mr.. Power
directed me to make another plat
How long did you work at the PARK
Officer"
Il went there toward the last of May and
stayed until we were informed that II we
continued work we would have to DO so at
our own risk as the board could not pay
US on account of the suit. l saw that
had no show of getting work that would De
permanent and l left. -
what sort of data did you work from?''
'Reinshagen gave me Powers neld book
of his survey of the Taggart farm.
"Was there anything to indicate the day
the survey was nader?
MY impression is that 1t was some time
in May, but cannot be positive as to
j. c. Power, park engineer said last night
when lie was asked il he knew Henry
Campbell: :
you mean Harry Campbell, don't you?
He worked at the Office two or three weeks
off and on for pleasure, just to show what
he could do. He had not had much expert
what did you have him do?"
I'VE had rough draftss OF the survey
made of the Taggart land. They Were
rather intricate-the work was difficult
and would be pretty good test of what ne
could do He was slow. l remember the
bows laughed at him about it; it took him
several days to make the plat. Then we
put him making tracings. L suppose tnal
the plats are lying around the office yet
in possession of the Journal.
Are they?" he said. looking rather sur
prised. Il thought they We're at the once.
He Insisted that Mr. Campbell was only
given place to show whether he could do
When did yop survey the Taggart
land Mr. Power?'
ut was late last year, October or mo-
yenlber: do not recall the exact time.
You have done nothing on it since?"
Nothing"
Mr. Power said that the last time he was
on the farm was in February. He, with
members of the board, was looking at
property near Morris street. and went ever
to the Taggart land. -,
man Who is rather pessimistic in his
ideas smiled sarcastically when he heard
explanations about errors being made in the
records. ,
1T is peculiar, isn't it," said he, that
Taggarts land should have such a tenn
pestuous time? l regard 1t as funny that
so many things turn up that have to be ex-
blamed away. Why does not that occur
with regard to other things the board does?
1t seems remarkable.