Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-26
FIRST OF ITS KIND.
Uncle Sans Original Investment in
Real Estate.

The first piece of property owned by
Uncle Sam and the first United States
mint was nearly destroyed the other day
by a fierce fire, which broke out in the
basement of this interesting and historic
old building which is situated at NO. ~
and 80 North Seventh street, Philadelphia
Fortunately the fremen were near at
hand, and by their prompt response TO the
alarm and untiring efforts the old historic
building was saved from complete de-
struction, and might be yet restored and
placed in such a condition that It would
be a splendid object lesson not only to the
present, but also TO the coming generation,
illustrating the wonderful growth of the
wealth of the republic from very small
and modest beginning.
1t seems incredible that almost within
the recollection of living men this plain old
structure represented the entire personal
holdings and real estate security of our
national government.
The history of the first mint OF the
United States began with the passage by
congress of an act looking to the formation
Of such necessary institution. The ini-
tial step to put this act in operation was
naturally the appointment Of the officers
of the institution, who should have charge
OF the establishment. For the director OF
the mint Washington selected David Rit-
tenhouse, the astronomer. who received
his appointment and accepted the position
on July l, 1892.
Henry Voight, a matchmaker, was ap
pointed chief cciner, and Trstram Dalton
was made treasurer. In the succeeding
year Albion Cox was appointed chief
sayer and Robert Scott engraver. The
officers having been selected, the next i'm
NraG n
building for the accommodation OF the ma
chinery OF the mint and the officers. With
this object in view lot on the east side
OF Seventh street north of Farmers alley,
now FilbeT street, was purchased There
was an old still house and other buildings
upon the properly. These structures were
quickly removed and on July 81, 1892, the
cornerstone was laid by Washington, dis
tinguished gathering OF the leading men OF
the day being present.
The foundation stone in place, work was
commenced on the building at once. So
rapidly for that period was the work pushed
that the foundation was ready for the
superstructure August %. The framework
was raised ON the afternoon Of that day.
few days later, on the 10th of septem-
ber, six pounds Of old copper were bought
for the mint by Rittenhouse, at The rate
of one shilling three pence per pound, this
metal being the first ever purchased for the
coinage Of the United States. Three coin
age presses imported from England arrived
on the 10Th Of September and were put in
operation about the lst of October.
In his message 10 congress November g.
1892, President Washington made the graft
flying statement that a small coinage Of half
dimes had been completed, the want Of
email coins in circulation calling the first at
tention to Them" Before the end of the
FIRST year, after the opening of the mint not
only half dimes, but also dimes and coppers
In a sufficient quantity TO meet the pressing
needs OF the country had been coined
In l794 the first silver dollars and half
dollars were coined, and in the next year the
first gold eagles ana half eagles were pro-
dueed. Up 10 the year 1916 the work Of coin