The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-10-09
BUILDING WAS OPEN
Monday The Library Building Was Open
ed for a Reception to the General
Public.
Sioux City Appreciated ths Many PaVots
and courteSieS Shown People
While at Corn Palace.
Material Is Being Secured al Corn Pa
ace for tha State Exhibit at St.
Louis Next Year.
PUBLIC INSPECTED BUILDING
Carnegie Library Building Was
Opened for Inspection of the
Public Monday Afternoon.

MOnuay afternoon Cne Carnegie LII
brary building was opened for the in
spection Of Mitchell people, and quite
a large number took advantage of the
occasion to visit the beautiful struc-
ture. Librarian BracY was present
and made it entertaining for the WIS.,
itors. The interior is very attractive
and is well suited for the needs Of a
library. While there are but a few
books in the library at present a large
number will soon be purchased with
the money on hand. Librarian Bracy
will commence at once to catalogue
the books and as o o as the work is
completed people can secure what
books they desire. In connection
with this informal inspection the
following historical sketch has been
prepared:
The matter was first brought to the
attention Of the public by E. S.
Johnston, who addressed a letter to
Mr.. Andrew Carnegie, calling his at
tention to Mitchell's suitdbleness as
the recipient for a donation for a
library building. This was about
Jan. l, 1902, and within two weeks
time the details had been arranged
through correspondence between the
two gentlemen, Mr.. Johnston proper
ly assuming that Mitchell people
would be pleased to accept the gift of
$40, 900 By Nh. Carnegie. At the city
council meeting Feb. 3, 1902, MI. A.
E. Hitchcock appeared tefore that
body and presented the matter, ask
ing for favorable consideration. a
resolution was passed at that time
that the mayor appoint a committee
of n member from each ward to
make a canvass to obtain the views
generally Of the citizens regarding
the matter. A resolution was passed
at this meeting accepting the dona-
tion with the proviso that the city
furnish a site and appropriate 81, 600
per year for the maintenance Of the
library, as provided in the proposal
of Mr.. Carnegie. Feb. 10 a vote of
thanks was rendered to Mr.. Carnegie
fer his liberal donation and to Mr..
Johnston for his prompt action in
bringing the matter to Mr.. Carne-
gie's attention.
On March 3 a COM mittee was ap-
PORTED by the mayor Of one from
each ward, with the mayor as chair.
man, to cur plans and specifca-
tions for the building. The mayor
was authorized to appoint a commit
tee from each ward to secure a site.
On March 26 the site committee
!, made a report and accepted the. one
!, on the rne Of Park avenue and
, Rowley street, as proffered by J. E.
Wells and others. On April II the
, committee recommended that the
plans presented by W. L. Dow & Son,
Of Sioux Falls, be accepted. Action
, was deferred until May u, when the
:, plans and specifications we've &C.
cepted. May 26 1T was decided to ad-
~vertise for bids. On August 4 the
contract was awarded to A. j. Kings
-, at the agreed price of SO, S65. The
stone work was sublet to Gottlieh
Scheurenbrand, and he commenced
; his work on the structure Sept. 3.
Feb. =, 1903, DR.. S. J. Moore, repre-
senting the &. A. R., appeared be-
fore the council and asked that two
rooms in the basement be set aside
for that order, and his request was
t granted, and six weeks later the coun.
t Gil by resolution granted the request
and a month later an a ppropriatior
5 of 500 was made to aid the old sol.
5 diers in furnishing the rooms.
] On May 4. 1903. the mayor reported
t that Mr.. Carnegie would give an ad.
! ditional 49, 1000 to assist in properly
furnishing the building, which was
accepted. On June 16. 1903, Is months
! after Mr.. Johnston wrote his first
letter to Mr.. Carnegie this magnif.
ent building was turned over to the
\ city council and it was accented,