The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1900-07-20
HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING sAFE.
George >. BIsh0P, Expert AEshitset OF
ToPskas EIakes an Elimination Of
the Structure.

u the structure
! The general alarm which has been
manifested, especially since the heavy
storm Of July II, for the safety Of the
high school building vas the cause for
an expert examination Of the structure
Tuesday By George J. Bishop, Of To
peka, superintendent Of bridges, build
ings and construction for the Rock
Island Railway company vest Of the
Missouri river. Mr.. Bishops official
report as to the matter has not yet
been given to the board Of education
and it viii be made in writing
The high school building was built
In 1890, the contract price being sIO,-
900. It is q fine looking building and
good advertisement Of public opinion
bearing upon the question Of educa-
ton. The building EithstOOd wind and
storm without sign Of yielding in any
particular until last year when few
cracks through the brick at different
places made their appearance These
were present for the most part around
the window castings
All repair possible was made and the
building put in a condition which
everyone accepted as being perfectly
safe. And their confidence was not
shaken until the tremendous down
pour OF June II, as with many cellars
Of residences, put about two feet Of
water in the basement Of the building,
so that the normal institute, which was
holding its sessions in the upper rooms,
was obliged to abandon the building,
owing to the unequal settling Of the
brick walls. The water was immedi-
ateIy pumped from the basement but
the softening Of the ground about the
walls was not without its effect.
Finally Mr. Bishop, an expert srchi-
tect Of Topeka, associated With the
Rock Island railway, was secured to
examine the building, which he did
in company with the members Of the
board Of education. Excavations we're
made at different points against the
walls. This revealed a defect. The
concrete foundation measured about
six inches in depth, and nowhere ex-
eeeded in width the walls which where
superposed. The concrete should have
been at least one foot in depth and
somewhat wider than the width Of the
wall
The cracks coursing through the
bricks in the outer layer had no CORE
spending lines within. This led the
architect to the conclusion that the
IS-inch inner wall was IN tact, and that
the greater injury was done to the
layer Of pressed brick which veneered
the building 1t was also evident that
this exterior layer had not been prop
erly bonded or attached to the inner
wall, and in places stands independent
Of the substantial wall This condition
gives the building the appearance in
places Of being unsafe. It is shown for
the most part around the windows
resulting in the IOOsening Of the key
stones in the arches.
Mr.. Bishop did not even inform the
members Of the board Of education Of
his exact opinion, but left the impress
sion that the building was in no danger
nov and would last several years with
out any extensive repairs he limited
the fact, which does not come as q sur
prise to many people here, that the
building shows marks Of inferior work
mansbip-
Mr.. Bishop returned to Topeka Wed
nesdsy night and viii send in his
report soon When that is received
the board Of education viii know just
what to do in order TO put the high
school building in proper condition
for holding school
Read the local column for the Wiz
ards adIets and fadZe-n