The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-04-17

tendent Of the cleaning force, Which
consisted mainly Of himself
In the year of 1856, on March II,
Charles S. Cabe was appointed to the
postmastership. The postmaster. was
the proprietor of what was then con-
sidered a large livery; stable. In 1857,
during Mr.. Cabe's administration Of
the postal duties here. 1t was again
considered necessary to change the To-
cation of the postofffce building, and
Postmaster Cabe and his assistant
packed up a few books, shouldered the
few parcels of furniture and re-estab-
lished themselves on 1.-The first floor Of
the old Baldwin school building, which
used to stand on Fifth street, facing
Rice park, on the site now occupied by
the new postoffice building.
By this time the city; of St. Paul had
assumed quite respectable proportions,
and it became necessary for the post
master to engage the services Of a
number of assistants.
Mr.. Cabe was retired on March q.
1860, and William M. Corcofan appoint
ed in his place Mr. Corcoran is still
aire. w. w. Corcoran, Of Boston, who
presented to that city it's beautiful art
gallery
Mr.. Corcoran was succeeded on April
2. 1851, by Charles Nichols, dry goods
merchant, who decided that the quar-
lSIS uSSu ny Ills were not
Commodious enough and moved his out
fit to Third street, between Market
street and Washington street, in the
room now used by Chief of Police Goss
as his private Office
The Third street Office was kept until
Jacob III. Stewart became postmaster
He was appointed March IA, 1865. and
during his regime the office was re-
moved to the old Grand opera house
block on Wabasha, 5. between Third
street and Fourth street.2 A large room
on the ground floor was occupied by
the department.
Postmaster Steward was a physician
by occupation. He was a man very
prominent in politics, having been in
congress and once occupying the
mayors chair
Joseph A. Wheelock was next in the
lire of postmasters. He was appointed
on March 4, 1870, and selected P.
OBrfen as his assistant. Mr.. O'Brien
has served in the capacity of assistant
postmaster of st. Paul ever since and
is now in his twenty-eighth year of ac-
tive service
Two important events in the history
of this city's postal department. occurred
during the poStmastership of MIR.
Wheelock
On Feb. 1, 1873. the postoffice was
moved to it's present building, corner of
Fifth and Wabasha streets
On Aug. /, 1873, eight carriers were
appointed on the posto1fice force, which
act was hailed by tn residents of this
city as long stride in, the line of
progressiveness and civliza ton. The
number of carriers hired now Is no.
DR.. David Day, lately dece ased. whose
memory is kindly cherished by all st.
Paul people, was appointed to succeed
Mr.. Wheelock on July l.. 1875.
DR.. Day drew the first plan Of the
old court house and superintended the
construction Of the present city hall
In 1892 Henry A. Castle was placed
In the postnaster's chair Mr.. Castle
Is at present auditor Of the postof11ce
department at Washington, D. c.
The present postmaster, Robert A.
Smith, was appointed Nov. 1, 1896
or the seven buildings formerly used
as postoffices of this city, only three
| are now standing, VIZ; the structure On
Bridge square, known as the '"Tivoli''
garden; Chief Goss' room at police
headquarters, and the old Grand opera
house block on Wahasha street be-
tween Third and Fourth streets.
The others have been torn down to
make room for new buildings.
Work was begun on the new post
office building in 1889. and when it is
| completed. 1t will be one Of the finest
edifces of its kind in the country.