Omaha daily bee., 1902-05-28
OPENS LIBRARY BUILDING
Lincoln how Prepared to Enjoy the Benefit
of Andrew 0amegie's Gift
UNVEIL MEMORIAL TABLET TO DONOR
Plans on Foot for the ReOpening OF
the Plant at Lincoln
Purchasers Desire title
10 saline Lands.
prom a stan correspondent

" tNTttNss COnhA NLbtu WIN 4unub QOnhIeu
for the purpose By Andrew Carnegie. was
formally opened to the public this aN,r-
noon. Besides speechmaking the program
included the delivery Of the library keys
to the mayor and the unwilling OF the Car
negie memorial tablet. Tonight a recep-
tion was given in the rotunda of the build
ing TO the citizens OF Lincoln and other
visitors.
The ceremonies this afternoon we're in
the main portion Of the building. immedi-
ately in front. Of the delivery desk. c. H..
Gere. chairman of the library board. made
. few Introductory remarks regarding the
object of the proceedings ana introduced
8. l.. Geisthardt. president of the board Of
directors. Mi. Geisthardt, recited the his
tory Of the library, giving particular at
tsntIon to the beniaeenes OF Andrew Car
negie and to the efforts which led UP to
the making Of the donation. At the con-
clusion OF his, address he presented the
building keys to Mayor winnett. who re-
sponded briefly.
The unwilling OF the memorial tablet
took place in the Sestibule, at the east
entrance. The tablet occupies a place on tbs
north wall ana bears this inscription:
In commemoration OF the philanthropy of
who gave the funds for the erection of
this building, the people OF the city OF
Lincoln In gratitude have
placed this tablet.
A. D., 1901.
The commemorative address was deiiv-
cred by c. II. Gere. Tonight at the re-
ception addresses were delivered by Chan
cellor Andrews and Mrs. W. ]. Bryan. A
quartet sang THE Scotch Laddle.' which
was composed for the occasion by Mrs. H.
J. Nichols.
Among those who attended the ceremonies
MAJ VIct0r Doaavafor ~ Ounaba ushn unaha
the first contribution to the building site
fund. The fund for the site was raised by
popular subscription.
Description of Building.
The work on the new building was begun
December 1. 1900. The structure cost ST.
700. The original donation was SIS. 900, and
the additional amount was given for ex-
penses not contemplated in the plans.
The building is f~reproof throughout. The
main portion OF the building is a rectangle.
6sxlO4 feet. In the rear is an extension for
the main stack room. 20x43 feet. and a
small extension for the librarian and cata-
loguing rooms, 1927 feet.
The building consists Of a main floor and
a high basement, the floor Of the latter be-
ing but three and a half feet below the
building grade, which itself is about three
feet above the level OF the street. The
entrance is directly to the main floor.
The basement to the top Of the water
table, a distance OF about ten feet, il faced
with FIRST quality blue Bedford stone. ac-
e~urately squared and rubbed. The real
beauty Of this stone will not be apparent
for a year or more. until the alkili has
been "sweated' out. Above this the build
ing is constructed Of the best quality Of
gray pressed brick, with trimmings Of gray
terra Gotta several shades lighter. The
-noF IL novarod NTH O dtu rod ttIa md the
whole lie surmounted by Q low dome faced
with gray brick and rooted with copper.
1.-The entrance, which is approached by a
flight Of easy steps, Is surmounted by a
pediment, in which are placed ornamental
designs Of terra Gotta In high relief. The
pediment is supported by two fiuted Ionic
columns. one on each side Of the entrance.
The entrance through the outer door is
Into a broad light vestibule. wainscoated
with dark Tennessee marble. The upper
portion is finished in cement, the sides
being nodded in the form of pilasters.
A short flight of easy steps brings the
visitor to the level OF the main floor, and
from the vestibule ne passes into the spa
eious and we'll lighted delivery room, oc-
tagonal in form. This is hoored with mo-
sale tile, wainscOated in Tennessee marble
and lighted from the dome and finished in
cement. properly nodded and decorated.
To the right Of the delivery room. in
front, is the spacious reading room for
newspapers and periodicals. To the left is
the staircase leading to the basement. This
is we'll lighted by windows in the front OF
the building. To the left and next to the
staircase Is the spacious reference room, in
which the arrangement Of the books Is
such as to permit the doubling OF the In
itiai shelf capacity without rearrangment
in any essential particular.
ReOpsninE Plant.
Several prominent business men Of this
olty have banded themselves together for
the purpose of reopening the packing house
p,apts at West Lincoln. The property wal
valued several years ago at $3.50 900. but
cAn be purchased now for S21. 900. Among
tho h-en who are interested in getting con-
troll OF the property are l.. NJ. Raymond
George Woods. Mark Woods. c. H. Rudge
G. H. Gsre and A. E. Brown.
These pen appeared before the State
Board of Public Lands and Buildings thi.
morning to negotiate for the purchase o.
upward Of 500 acres OF saline land near the
packing houses. They represented to the
board that the packing house plants could
be operated probably with this land for
feed yard and they offered to purchase 4
from the state at it's appraised value. II
the discussion the Tact was brought gu
that the lease on the land in question ha,
been rendered invalid by the district court
The board decided Informally that II tn,
record was clear a sale would be made OF
the terms suggested.
Bars Iowa Life Company.
The Central Life Assurance Society o
the United States. which has headquarter
at Des Moines. was today denied admission
20 the Nebraska insurance Aeld. The ba
was not placed against this, company be
cause OF any defect in It's plan OF operation
but because its capital stock is not sum
eient TO meet the demands OF, the Nebrask
law. The company is shown by its state
ments to be In good condition. but It's cap
itAl Is only s25. 1000. whereas the law de
mands this class OF companies before the
can operate IN Nebraska. TO have a paid u
capital Of 800. 900 q
A committee OF menbe Of the Gentle
mans Roadster cigb or this city has aske
the State Board Of Public Lands aud Build
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