The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1900-05-29
WORKED ON CAPITOL
Letter From an Old Man Who
Help Build the State House.
he Writes Interestingly of His Work 10 Raleigh
From March 1893 to August 1894.
Washington. Nav p. 40,

7thH6 paper EeIdtluS 10 the building
Of the capitol at Raleigh. II is from.
perhaps, the Oldest citizen of Washing
ton. who was employed in 1S33-34 on that
great work. He told me. although he
has not mentioned it in this letter. that
he carved the figures GS33l upon the
cornerstone of the building. which may
be seen now. He entered his 93d year in
February last. He is a native OF this
city. and is esteemed and respected by
all who know him. | don't know a more
respectable and estimable gentleman.
Few citizens of Raleigh are old enough
TO remember the events Of that day. but
his letter will interest them all. Though
feeble in health. he is still ar-head
and cheerful.
Yours truly,
DANIEL r. COOLIDGE.
500 North Carolina Avenue. s. E..
March %, 1900.
MIR. Daniel r. Goodloe:
Dear Sir-Thinking over my connection
with the construction of the cut stone
work of the State House at Raleigh.
North Carolina. from it's beginning in
March, 1893, &c the time of my with
drawal in August, 1884. l remember that
from some source which l nave now en-
~ 'a 49, AiI1t tlt l.
had been severely criticised by Patten
(who succeeded me in charge Of the
work. on account of the character of
what is called the backing; that is the
mason work inside of the cut stone walls
of the building, and also of the parti-
tons. | was, during my connection with
the work, always painfully affected when
/ saw the manner in which that work
was done. 1t was substantial enough.
but rough. | could not control that. I
mad e~ndeavored TO get the consent of
the Commissioners 70 have brick used
for that purpose. but they invariably and
very positively refused, controlled doubt
less by the fact that the entire force s.
employed We're very rough country ma
sons belonging to the Commissioners in
dlvidually. and a few other persons in
and around the city; all of whom would
nave been ruled out had brick been used.
as it would have required a much better
class Of workmen. The result would have
been a much better character of work,
in the internal walls. AS I have before
said, the strength was entirely satisfac-
tory. but as l bad a very capable fore
man, the smoothness and consequent
saving in plastering would have been
much more satisfactory.
The Commissioners had, nOne of them.
any knowledge of the requirements of
such a work. ! recall distinctly that
when it was in the early stage, I called
for an increase CT indispensable tools and
implements to secure proper and rapid
progress, they expressed amazement that
such an outlay should be required, and
demurred, saying that %"Strict economy
must be observed in all expenditures
Not a dimes worth Of anything not alb
solutely required for the conduct of the
work was ever asked, and what | got
was consented to with ~murmuring. | ven
ture the assertion that no public struct-
ure in the country was prosecuted more
vigorously, faithfully and economically
than was that building up to the time
Of my withdrawal.
Some time ago the Star published pho
tos and on many Of the State
Houses of the country, and among them
that at Raleigh, saying of it, that by ia
vor of Mr.. Patten, the architect of the
building, they got the descriptions. Why
Ithiel Town. of Connecticut, was the
architect, and as l stated to you IN a
former communication was treacherOusly
pushed out by Patten, who, thought Mr..
Town, had succeeded to the position |
vacated. Patterns opportunity now came.
"it ~ NollS hllIoS11 u Y
a plan for the roof, claimed that it was
much better than the Town roof, succeed
ed in getting it adopted as a substitute
for Mr.. owns: soon played upon the
Commissioners the belief that there was
no occasion for the continuance Of Mr..
Town. and actually got him turned off
and himself appointed clerk of the works
and architect. This information | had
from Mr.. Town himself.
Town was an architect of note, and
had patented bridge structures, and
erected quite a number. He was very
and secured a handsome reve-
nue. from his bridges, in all of which he
held stock.
Politics, and politics only. led to the
changes which took place in the positions
connected with the building. Three, a
majority Of the Board Of commissioners,
were red-hot-Jackson Democrats, two.
one of them chairman of the Board
Judge Duncan Cameron. Chief Justice
of the State), were absent from the city,
that opportunity was taken to bounce
Drummond, the experimenting carpenter.
He had just completed, under his direc-
ton, an Episcopal Church at Fayette-
vile, and on the recommendation OF
prominent men there had secured the po-
sition on the State building. A man who
afterwards became postmaster at Rail
held a position at the State House
which threw him frequently into Drum
mond's company, and finding him a de-
Wing Gas l myself was), used his
against him, the result OF which
was his removal. A cruel and unneces-
thing. | apprehending a similar
treatment, resigned, as | despised then,
as now, persecution Of that sort. Dis
gusted at such proceedings | withdrew
the work, and though solicited by
Daniel, who succeeded the per
scouting Board, I declined to return.
A town meeting was called by the cit
who were very indignant because
Of tie course of the Commissioners.
Speeches were made cOndemning the ac-
ton OF the Board Cts motives being I'M
resolutions Of denunciatiOn
were passed against such action, and
others laudatory of the superintendent.
the next session Of the Legislature
the Commissioner got a taste of the
medicine they gave DrummOnd, and
were dispensed with, and one COmmlS-
sioner substituted for the five dismissed.