The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-24
SITE HAS BEEN SELECTED
ARMY BOARD, HOWEVER, WILL NOT
DIvULGE ITS SECRET.
Colonel McCaskey Says Indianapolis
Is Ideally Located for an
Army Post.

ter's department, u. s. A, leave Indianap-
oils for Chicago to-day they will have Sc
lected the site on which the government
intends to erect modernly appointed and
equipped regimental infantry post near In
dian1polis- The officers who were sent here
as board to choose from the four available
sites previously recommended to the War
Department for purchase, will leave for
Chicago either this afternoon or tonight
and their report will be made by Colonel
McCaskey Immediately to the secretary of
war. through Maj. Gen. Arthur Macarthur.
commanding the Department Of the Lakes.
The report will state the definite recon-
mendation of the board as the best site for
the army post and the recommendation will
be approved and possibly within a few
weeks negotiations will be commenced by
the quartermasters department with the
owners of the land for its purchase.
The army officers who are here are the
same that looked over Marion county prop
erty several months ago, with one excep-
ton. Colonel Wilcox, of the medical de-
partment, has been succeeded on the board
by Colonel Harvey, who is the chief
geon of the Department of the Lakes.
These officers knew the land and when they
ing a site. Although no information has
been given out by them it is more than
probable and by some persons is thought TO
be certain. that the site at Valley Mills.
few miles southwest of Indianapolis, will
be chosen and the army post established
there.
VALLEY MILLS SITE.
OF the four sites recommended to the
do bx, ~ loc CT
it is understood that the Valley Mills prop
erty was given first place. When the off,
GERS again visited indianapolis the site was
looked over with much care and immediate
ly after the officers reached here. They
were accompanied by Howard Waddel, the
holder of the options on the land and owner
of part of the tract; w. M. Mansfield, of
the Pennsylvania Railroad, who extended
many courtesies to the board during its
first visit and also on this occasion, and the
members of the real estate firm of Ralston &
Camden, who hold options on adjacent land
which is geographically an admirable sit
uation for rifle range. The board spent
much time at this site and particular in
auiry was made by Colonel Harvey as to
| the sanitary conditions and health OF the
community.
Persons who have gone over the land and
know the requirements of an army post
| think that the tracts offered are near
| perfect as can be found in this part of
Indiana. In addition to the land being
offered at reasonable price there is much
land around Ii that can be acquired II needed
| This fact is important in the selection as it
| is almost certain that the original estimate
of 1000 acres will be insufficient to accom-
modate the army post, which will some day
| be located near Indiana polls.
Yesterday the board visited the Dyer site
at Lawrence and the Schofeld site at Mil
lersville. All of this land had been gone
| over by the board The Lawrence site was
favorably mentioned by the board in it's
report to the War Department and is known
to be considered as desirable land.
/ To-day the board will conclude its work
| by visiting the land offered by Mr.. Dyer
around Brooklyn Heights. The high alti-
tude of this land and its excellent sanitation
ciassed as good location in the first re-
port A tract Of land near Clermont was
| to have been gone over to-day also. but the
man who is conducting the sale Of this land
Is not in the city and no one has appeared
who Is interested in its sale.
PLAN TO BE FOLLOWED.
After the choice is made and the report
submitted il is expected that the quarter
masters department will begin negotiations
for the purchase of the land and after this
! is completed. engineering officers and a
representative of the quartermasters' de-
partment will look the land over and plan
the location of the buildings. parades and
barracks. The engineering officer will also
look to the condition of the soil for build
ing purposes and furnish his report to the
quartermaster, who will select one plan
from a number of stock plans and specif-
cations kept in the department for build
ing purposes, for each structure which
goes to make up an army post. After these
details are arranged the quartermaster will
| advertise and
materials, and work will be begun.
Feb. Is is the date set for the sale of the
Arsenal properly ana the purchase price OF
this property will be available for buying
the army post site. according to the terms
of the law passed by the last Congress
authorizing the secretary of war to sci
an army post to be situated in the vicinity
Of Indianapolis.
Indianapolis is the best place in the
United States in which to establish ar
army post" said Col. McCaskey last night
"lts strategic Importance is appreciate
and the ease and expedition with which
troops can be modified here, transferred tC
other stations readily. and assembled fol
maneuvers is recognized by the department
Although regimental infantry post il
planned think it more than likely thai
Indianapolis Will some day have a brigade
post, BY that 1 mean a post in which
can be accommodated troops of all arms OF
the service. Cavalry requires more room
than infantry and artillery also. / thinl
post so planned as to comfortably house
horses, men and equipment for two batal
lions of infantry, a squadron of cavalry
and a battery of artillery will be established
here and not at far distant time
Col. McCaskey suggested that Major Mil
Ter might return to Indianapolis as tn,
quartermaster TO superintend the construc
ton of the army post buildings but Majo
Miller said that four of the five men anx
ious to sell their property might not like Il
have him return and he did not think h,
would be detailed here. He said that tn,
board had chosen site and there was sur,
to be four out of the five real-estate mel
vexed at the choice but that he though
the board had secured the best land in tn,
county for the post.
DINNER BY COL HARRISON.
Col. Russell Harrison last night enter
tanned the army officers with a dinner a
the Columbia Club, to which he invite,
a number of retired army officers and othe
soldiers now living in Indianapolis. Col
Harrison has served with the regular force
and holds many friendships in the arm,
and took this opportunity to extend hos
pitality to the visitors. The dinner was in
formal and attended by Admiral Georg
Brown. Gen. ]. p. Hawkins Col j. T
Barnett, Lieut.. Harvey, Major Miller
Major Macklih, Capt. Harry Adams, Capt
Callahan, Medical Department L. s. A
and Lieut.. Clark, commandment OF the Thir
Infantry detachment at the Indianapoli
arsenal Col. McCaskey was unable to b
present because of business connected wit
his mission in this city.
: n