The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-05
Proposals for a Site for Military
Post Near the City VIII Also
BE Received.
TALK WITH COL. W. S. M'CASKEY
HE OUTLINES THE PLAN TO BE PUR-
SUED BY THE BOARD.
The Sessions VIII Probably Continue
Through the week-Business
Men TO Be Heard.

Army officers are now in the city to as
certain the value of the arsenal property
and TO secure information regarding pro-
posed sites for the army post. The board
detailed here by the War Department is
composed of Colonel William s. McCaskey,
Twentieth infantry; Lieutenant Colonel
Timothy Z. Wilcox, medical department,
and Major William II. Miller, quarter
masters department. The board met at
the Denison Hotel yesterday and selected
Colonel McCaskey, the senior officer, pres
ident, and Major Miller, the junior.
rotary.
I'VE are here under orders from the War
Department to get some information
garding the value of the arsenal property
and also to receive proposals for land to
be used for the army post" said Colonel
McCaskey last evening. 1.-THE order says
in substance to examine and report upon
the available sites of not less than 1000
acres EACH in the neighborhood of Indian
apolis, for a military post to accommo-
date a full regiment of infantry and the
probabilities of advantageous sale of the
lands and improvements of the reservation
at the indianapolis Arsenal
Our action here will be only of an adj
visory nature, to report to the department
the probable figure at which the arsenal
property can be sold and also what suit
able site for an army post can be pur-
chased for with full information regarding
the character of the land, etc. The depart
ment will then take the final steps in both
cases.
I'VE have been notified that four parties
will offer property to us for the army site.
We will meet tomorrow CTuesday) morn
ing at the recruiting station and will re-
ceive the gentlemen who have desirable
property for the army post. We will give
each man half an hour and We will expect
him to make a detailed proposition to us in
writing, with plats OF the ground he has for
sale and full details of the character of the
land. We will receive each man separately,
as il might be a little embarrassing to have
them together in the room when each
makes his proposal. The board will inspect
all the sites offered and will then report TO
the department. l will pass on the military
advantages offered, Colonel Wilcox on the
sanitary and health conditions of the sur
rounding land and Major Miller on the bust
ness part, the proximity of railroads. etc.
NEAR A RAILROAD.
1.-THE ground for the army post must nee
essarily be near a railroad. 1t must be high
and dry and healthy, with desirable drill
grounds. The orders state that we must
inspect sites of not less than 1000 acres. but
We may receive proposals on more than
| 1000 acres. The necessities OF an army post
clubhouse for the officers, hospital, morgue,
drill hall, individual mess hall for the gar
rison, fire department guardhouse, quarter
master storehouses and Offices corral
| stables and forage warehouse. commissary
| storehouses and siding for the receipt of
/ freight, houses for enlisted men, a parade
/ ground of six or seven acres, a rifle range
| and a cemetery.
| After we receive proposals for land for
| the army post will hold public ses-
| sions in one of the rooms at the Denison
| Hotel, where we desire to hear the opin-
| ions of men interested in real estate who
| can throw some light the value of the
| Arsenal property and also the value of
| the land desired for an army post"
| Coloney McCaskey is stationed at Fort
! Sheridan, which consists of but 625 acres
He said the post in Indianapolis with 900
| acres or more could be made one of the
best in the country He also said that the
! government could easily arrange to accom-
modate mounted troops here after the post
was esta blished, well as the infantry
He is of opinion that the department will
| take speedy action on securing a site for
| the post soon the board makes q COM
! plete report Colonel McCaskey said that
| all propositions must be made in writing
| and intmated that the board will have
| means of it's own to ascertain the value of
| the Arsenal property and also the land
to be offered for the post, but ii desires to
| secure expressions from business men
| and those who are acquainted with the
| value OF real estate in this city and the
| surrounding country. The board will prob
| ably be In session here most of the week