davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1904-02-23

REPLY OF FRANK P. MILBCRN,
ARCHITECT. TO REPORT OF IN
VESTIGATING COMMITTEE. RE
LATING TO THE WORK ON THE
STATE HOUSE.
To the Public:
will be glad for YOU to consider my
reply TO so much of the report of the
investigating committee, recently made
to the legislature. as seems necessary
at this time.
In the first place. the committee.
composed Of chosen representatives OF
the people, all honorable gentlemen.
in their desire to vindicate the author
of the minority report of one mem
Der OF the old capitol commission, nave
gone beyond the authority given by the
concurrent resolution under which theE
acted. BY that resolution they were
directed to report TO the next session
of the general assembly such facts and
recommendations in reference thereto
as they may deem advisable. ana
vet these honorable gentlemen go
out of their way to inject into their
report wholly unwarranted and I'M
proper conclusions. which are neltner
facts" nor Recommendations. but
libellous and indiscriminate reflections
ON numerous State officers and repre-
sentatives. as we'll as the architect ana
contractors. Miserable fraud mon
strous swindle" and ''malefactors.
Such gratuitous expressions are as
false as they are uncalled for by the
concurrent resolution.
But, that this committee was more
bent on Sindicating the one dissenting
member Of the capitol commission than
carving out the suggestions OF the
legislature, is evidenced by the fact
that they did not employ an archl-
tect," as was suggested by the autnor4-
ty given in the concurrent reSo!ulloil'
but paid $500 a day for a contract
or" who says he has been "superln-
tendent of constructing OF the Cnlteo
States capitol for four years.
But further still. his committee vas
directed, To consider the several Ie-
nor,s Of The, commission for the col:-
petion OF the state house. with au-
ihoyi,v to summon witnesses. etc
They seem to have considered only the
one minority report Of Senator >. ":
Marshall. made in February. 1915. ali,,
examined witnesses only in suppoit Oh
that minority report, without callllls
q single witness in support OF the re-
port and action Of seven hohofeo ci!!-
| Zens and officers of the state. VINO oli-
fered with Col. Marshall. ana VINO are
as wide awa6 % Lb4 interests OF the
! State as he or me M--nberS or TINS III
vestigatinS committee. and VINO nave
! always depended more upon "lthessSs
| in This State, whose standing ana creu-
: ihi,;ty are known 20 them personally
than foreign importation who Is
recommended by the superintendent OF
the federal capitol building. and was no
! doubt never before heard OF in SoutA
! Carolina.
! But let US glance at the procedure OF
/ this investiga ting committee hsl
! they selec, their expert he is broushI
| to Columbia and shown the genera
/ plans and specifications upon "ncn
contractors were invited to bid for tht
work: but not the plans showing the
| notifications nor the detail DRAWINGS
for actual work. He examines lns
The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1904-02-23
THE ANSWER OF ARCHITECT FRANK ?. hlLBURN.
In Detail the Man Against Whom Charges Were MADE
Replies to His Accusers in the General
Assembly.
Assembly.

, building in the light of these original,
general plans and specifications.
| And yet no one OF the seven gentle
! men Of the capitol commission, who
| honestly differed with Col. Marshall
was called, nor was l asked TO snow
! him the modified and complete specl-
| fications and detail drawings under
which the work was actually done.
1t appears that on a Friday in May,
! 1903 before this investigating commit
tee was to take testimony. as remem-
bered by the chairman. the chairman
of the committee called at my othce,
during nv absence from the cltr ana
left a verbal message with one OF my
draughtSmen about the meeting. at
which the expert from washington
would give his testimony. and that l
could be present. on send any COM
munica ton il I desired. But I never
received the message. and. in fact.
never heard of the incident until last
Friday. the 18th inst. In this connec-
ton | beg to submit the following
statements:
TIC Whom it May Concern:
This is to certify that I am in the
employment OF Frank P. Milburn. ar
chitect, in the capacity cf engineer and
draughtsman, and was during the last
year.
THAT once when Mr.. Milburn and
Mr.. Heister were out or the
Office. Mr.. A1iiburn being out Of the
city. a gentleman called. and repre-
sentinS himself to be a member OF
the State house investigating commit
tee. stated in effect that said commit
tee would shortly las understood. the
next day) have session. ana asked
that I let Mr.. Mi!burn know, and also
get word to McIlvain. Cnkefer COM
pary. I promised to let Mr.. Mllourn
know. and also McIlvain. unkefer com
pany if we could: that l thought we
had their address in the Office.
That upon the return of Mr.. Heister,
who is chief draughtsman and assist
ant to Mr., Milburn, told him OF What
t,1 takcSn rlaco. and supposed he would
communicate. with them. but l never
mentioned ;l!. matter TO MI. Mlihurn
"ISiynr,D Geo. F. Kepler.'
! ITO whom i; May Concern:
Il hereby certify that | am now
and was last year chief drauShtsalaii
and assistant 10 Ny. Frank =. MIlDulh'
architect.
That I nave read the foregoing GER
tificate Of Mr.. George +. hepler. pit
have no recollection OF ever nearing OF
the conversation lNerell Eelelleu ~
before Feb u. 1904. If Mr.. hepler Is
correct in his recollection Of stating the
matter TO T> l DID not stake 1t IN sum-
| cicntly 10 l.-.r-A ~ mind. ana am
SIRE that 7 never mentioned the mat
| ter to Mr.. AIilburn.
"(Signed Michael Hels'sf.
After this hearing, at which is now
anpears that several witnesses were eN-
| a,nined, / learned Of it from the news
papers and common rumor: but never
! knew anything of the purport OF me
| testimony. although l heard that COL
! Marshall was present. and that the
sessions We're behind closed doors. On
| til my return to this city last Friday,
when got hold Of d copy of the report
the committee having never honoref'
ME with Il copy-I never knew autholl-
tatirely OF the reflections on the work.
The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1904-02-23
EXHIBIT c..

EXHIBIT c. -
State Of South Carolina-Tountv- Of
F,ichland.
Personally appeared before me a. H.
Seats. who being duly sworn. says:
That he is 4 reporter for The Daily
Record. a newspaper published at Co
lambi:t: that in company Of Lewis
kor1, ;t that time reporter for The
News and Courier. he applied at the
agricultural committee roor tn the
State house. where he heard the legis-
latire committee Investigating the
work on the State house was in ses-
sion. for permission to report the evil
dence and proceedings: that depon-
ent was told by one of the members of
the committee that the meetings were
not public.
A II. Seats.
Sworn to and subscribed before me,
this 18th day Of February. 1904
\. {. DePaSs.
Notary Public.
EXHIBIT r.
Lewis: G. Wood. being luly sworn.
says: That he went 10 the agricultu-
al committee room where the investi-
eating committee was in session. and
inquired if there WAS any news of the
investigation 10 be published At that
lime, and that he WAS told BY men,
The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1904-02-23
". J. Johnson.

Columbia, s. c.. Feruary 70. 1904.
Having taken up the official duties
upon the commission at the eXpira-
ton Of the term OF the Hon. ". H.
Zimmerman. my predecessor. I had
nothing to do with the election Of the
architect or the awarding Of the con-
tract but as 10 ali the facts relating
to the actions Of the commission. and
the opinions expressed herein with ref
erence 10 those facts. expressed in the
above report ! am IN hearty accord
The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1904-02-23

REPLY OF FRANK P. MILBURN,
ARCHITECT. TO REPORT OF IN
VESTIGATING COMMITTEE, RE
LATIEG TO THE WORK on THE
STsrTI E0I-SE
The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1904-02-23

SSnltal. NGlllGl llIS Soi i'iNS i'"t wv
mouldngs in this lobby were interfered
with. but the new ceiling was used only
in the field or body OF the ceiling
through which the dome is cut. The
contractors thought they ought TO nave
extra for this new ceiling. but would
not allow il. and the State got the
new ceilings without cost.
This item shows the fearful mistake
the investigating committee made IN
not examining farther into the real
facts instead of giving SO much welsht
to that minority report. They Woulc
have the public believe that It was
steel ceiling" costing in the neIghoor-
hood of $4,000, when the records III the
secretary Of states office show that all
the ceilings and cOrnices, steel beams,
and skylights in the rotunda. or main
lobby, and the ceiling over the senate
lobby together. cost only $i.S9S. on the
ID of May, 1889. Any we'll Informed
man will know that the cornlce actual
ly cost much more than the cellns.
The public must in charity put this
blunder of the committee down 70
neglect and ignorance, or convict them
Of deliberate misrepresentation IN
making the statement that "on TINS
item the State lost in the neighoor-
hood Of s4a.Gn0.'
advanced tie idea that the contractors
removed thi:; ceiling that they might
hoist into position the large steel boN
ytr,;ers that support the dome. Inc
fact is. these heavy steel beams IN"
cirders were raised from the outside
wall. ard not through the main lobby.
But rot content with trying 70 arouse
public Indignation over the alleged loss
TO the State, they attempt 10 lnJufe
character by charging that the con-
tractors bodily took and carried away
and converted TO their own Use TINS
valuable and beautiful part OF the Old
building" The cold fact is. and they
either knew it. or could have learned 1t
by reasonable. fair and impartial IN
ouiry, that this old ceiling that was
removed from the roturd" lobby was
never sold OF used by III. y tors.
but was given TO Mr.. GarrunKe, II he
would remove it from the grounds
and he in turn gave it 10 Dr. BabcocN
on the same condition. and this val
uah!e and beautiful" this 'Splerold
steel ceiling" now lies in rubolsn
heap in the back yard OF the State lu-
ratic asylum. a silent but Enlmpeacn.
able witness of the outrageous libel
which this investigating committee has
spread upon the records OF the !egIsla-
| ture.
= Fourth. That BY the omission OF two
The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1904-02-23

investigating committee know that the
portico ceiling in the main entrance
to the United States capitol a. Wash
ington was common plastering, and
that leaks from the roof caused some
Of il to fall.
Seventh. That the roof is tar and
gravel" roof. unsuitable, and leaks
badly.
1t is not q tar and gravel roof. but
is of the very finest quality of asphalt
and crushed quartz. and there is no
doubt about its answering the purpose
for at least ten years. as the roof con-
tractors gave guarantee for ten years
against leaks and material wear and
tear This same class Of roofing is on
the following buildings in the city of
Washington. D. c.:
Atlantic Coast Line office building.
! Southern Railway Office building, Iowa
department house. Raleigh hotel. Bliss
! department house. United States Cen
sus building. government printing
! house. and many others too numerous
| to mention.
! 1t is a matter of profound regret to
| me that the roof leaks. I have done
everything in my power from the first
| to remedy it. 1t is we'll known fact
! that much more expensive roofs than
this have proved unsatisfactory. The
government IpSIp!titt' 1T .''t'siiii'''A.
" hich has Il till. and copper roof leaked
badly. The United States poStofticc At
augusta. which also has an expensive
roof. leaked for years.
In this connection | submit the fol-
Lowing:
Columbia. :. c.. Jan. IS. 1904.
Sr Frank =. Milbuln. Architect, Co
:limhia. 5. c.:
Dear Sir: Referring to our conver-
s;t:on in regard TO the State house.
will say that 10 short time after the
STATE house work was finished the
Charlotte Roof and Paving company
tclegr;i phed me TO go there and exam
ire the roof and make the same salts
factory if could. l went on top OF the
building and was somewhat surprised
10 find that some one had torn the
flashing loose at several places between
Tie main roof and the base Of the dome
for several feet. allowing the water
flowing off of the dome and the base
To run down into the rotunda below
The work was we'll flashed around the9
1rme and counter flashing was pua
INFO the joints not in the way II IS
usually done. viz: by putting the fash
ing into the joint and turning It up.
but by cutting into the joint and en-
tending the tin back into the joints
and boiling i! with rods. nuts anG
washers. and il WAS impossible for 1t
to get out unless some one had torn
The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1904-02-23

not claim that It is impossible that I'M
positions have been practiced upon
this commission by the architect or
contractor. for if any vital defects ex-
ist in the building or serious mistakes
can be shown to have been made. these
must have been the outcome of the
commission having been misled, but we
do assert in the most positive manner
that the findings and the conclusions
contained in the report Of the joint in
restigating committee are not SuS-
tanned by the evidence therein con-
tanned. and if they are ever sustained
it must be by evidence produced before
another tribunal. Whether this COM
mission or any Of its mex: GERS were
ever 6esignedly OF unintentiona!ly i'm
posed upon or deceived by either arch
itecr or contractor, it can only be
proved out Of the mouth or mouths OF
such member or members, unless it be
conceded that the members would COM
NIT perjury in order to hide the facts.
We would remind Your honorable
body that this commission has not
deemed it to be its duty to go into the
newspapers to defend she course of the
majority. and that as but one side
has heretofore been presented to the
public. We .reaIe that-a is n1&a1arural
tina. the conclusion should be drsfTVsE= VII z +
that there has been but one side to the
question. If. with ali the facts before
you. YOU should conclude that the one
man has been always right and the
nine mel, always wrong, we can but
plead in eNtenuation that we have done
the best we could for the State. "un-
awed by influence. and unbribed by
gain" In this report we have endeav-
ored to state the facts fully. candid.y
and fairly. nothing eXtenuate and
naught set down in malice
All of which is respectfully SUBJ
mitted.
NJ. B. McSweeney.
G.. Duncan Bellinser.
r. II. Jennings.
T. Harvey Wilson
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-06-16
The Glen.

River Falls has within its city
limits, almost in the heart of the
town, rare beauty spot, one scarce
ly to be surpassed in this section of
the country. A combination of wa
ter-falls, rocky cliffs and tree
crowned hills makes a. picture of
exquisite natural beauty 1t is our
duty to guard we'll this inheritance
from the time of the Indian. 1t is
something which, lost, can never
be replaced. Every tree, growing
or dead, adds something to its pic
turesqueness. Every tree cut or
destroyed detracts from it. Within
the last year several pines have
been cut from near the Junction
Falls; trees which were growing
there when pioneers first settled
here. Their beauty is missed by
every one who loves nature.
The question of building bridge
through the Glen is being discussed.
To my mind, to the minds of all
who are not actuated by purely
utilitarian motives, any bridge
through the Glen, other than very
unobtrusive rustic affair, would
mar the loneliness of the place.
The Glen is admired for it's natural
beauty, not for any works of man.
A bridge would make the Glen no
more accessible, indeed, it is adj
mired the more because of its isola-
ton. Have we not right to ask
that this matter of bridge be con-
sidered from the artistic stand
point? What is done now cannot
be undone. Each citizen should
consider it his duty to protect this
Incompatible beauty-spot of ours,
TO hand it down to posterity, as
nearly as may be, unchanged.
CITIZEN.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-06-16
Lands.

We have recently sold to Mary
Thornley, and Fred Thornley,, her
son, from Bolton, Lancashire, Eng
land, the so acres in Glass Valley
formerly owned by Lyle Cubit. Mrs.
Thornley, will move on the farm
about the first of October. They
were accompanied here by our
agent, j. H. Rule, of Linden, Wis,
who has been connected with us for
the past three years and has brought
many new settlers into west-central
Wisconsin. To such men and the
new settlers is due the advance in
real estate.
1t may be of interest to you to
know that the Northwestern X. Il.
Co. has furnished reduced rates al
so pass for our agents when &C
companied by two or more land
seekers. This little courtesy
amounts to no small figure among
our prospective purchasers. We
also have the same arrangements
going north and west out of River
Falls over the Northwestern and
out of ST. Paul over several of the
Great Western lines.
CURRIER LAND Co.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-06-16
Deafness Cannot BE Cured

by local applications as they cannot reach the
diseased portion OF the ear. There is only one
way 10 cure Deafness, and that is by constitu.
tional remedies, Deafness is caused by an in.
hamed condition OF the mucous lining of the
Eustachian Tube. When this tube gets infamed
you have a rumbng sound or imperfect hear
ing, and when it is entirely closed deafness is
the result, and unless the Inflammation can be
taken out and this tube restored to its normal
condition, hearing viii be destroyed forever;
nine cases out of ten are cansed bv catarrh
which Is nothing but an inflamed condition OF
the mucous surfaces
We viii give One Hundred Dollars for any
case of Deafness (caused by catarrh) that can.
not be cured by Halls CataIrh Cure. Send for
circulars, free.
F. j. CHENEY 4 CO, Toledo, O.
RJ-SOld by Druggists, zoe.
Halls Family Pills are tae best
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-06-16
SOUTH FORK.

VIM. Baird, Jr., is dangerously i'll.
Little Viola Olsen was run over
by team last week.
Helen Sylvester visited at Mrs. l..
E. Green's Saturday.
Mrs. E. A. Pace visited relatives
in Kinnickinnic Monday.
The Ladies' Aid Society meets
with Mrs. Edgar Russ June 23rd.
Miss Mabel Lowell has been stay
ing with her aunt, Mrs. N. Elliott.
Mr.. and Mrs. Morris Healy visit
ed her mother, Mrs. Olsen, in Vik-
ing Saturday.
Mrs. Dora Gordon is home from
River Falls, where she has been
staying with her mother.
Mr.. and Mrs. Frank Baker and
family of Ellsworth arrived here
Saturday night on visit to friends.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-06-16
GERTRUDE.

The Ladies' Aid met with Mrs.
Andrew johnson Tuesday.
John Olstad returned from his
home in Menomonie Thursday.
Andrew Rockstad returned Tues
day from his visit to Eau Claire.
Pat Bergseng and Mandus Shella
left for Moscow, Idaho, Monday.
Fred Heyerdahl of Finley, N. D.,
came home Wednesday for a visit.
Mrs. Otis Ramberg and Mrs.
Oscar Swenson left for Menomonie
Tuesday.
N. Heyerdahl and c. E. Nelson
of River Falls, with their families,
visited at S. Shella's over Sunday.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-06-16
(Flrst publication June 16. 1904.
NOTICE or FINAL SETTLEMENT.

STATE OF WISCONSIN, County Court fol
- Pierce County In Probate.
Notice is hereby gwen that at the regular term
or the County Court to be held in and for said
county at the county court room in the village
OF Ellsworth, in said county, on the first Tues
day tbeng the sixth day. of September A. ID.
1901, at ten O'Clock a. M, the following matter
will be heard and considered:
The application OF Thomas TAFT admins
TRAITOR OF the estate OF John Swanson, late of the
city of River Falls in said county, deceased, for
the examination and allowance OF his final &C
count Of his administration and for the as
stgnment OF the residue of the estate OF said
John Swanson, deceased, to such other persons
az are by law entitled to the same.
Datei June Is, 1904
By order OF the Court.
ALLEN Z. WELD, County Judge.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-06-16
husband.
ELvA RoUNSEvELL,
ADA TAFT, c
MAUDIE REYNOLDS,

WHEREAS, Our Heavenly Father
has seen fit to remove from our
midst our beloved Alumni sister
and friend, Mrs. George Sanford,
(nee Burgie Worthington) be it
RESOLVED, That the heartfelt
sympathy of the River Falls High
School Alumni Association be ex-
tended to her husband and to her
parents in their bereavement, and
be it further,
RESOLVED, That these resolu-
tons be published and that copies
be sent to her husband and parents.
ELvA RoUNsEvELL,
ADA TAFT, Committee.
MAUDIE REYNOLDS,
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-06-16
OFFICIAL DIRECTORY
COUNTY OFFICERS.

Sherif-James Murphy.
County Clerk-O. j. Hohle.
Treasurer-F w. Kendall.
Clerk of the Court-L. @. Spinney.
Register of Deeds-W w. Walsingham.
District Attorney-George Thompson.
County Judge-Allen p. Weld
County Supt of Schools-A. ]. Ingli
Coroner-J. S. Copley.
County Surveyor-B. r. Eaton.
COUNTY BOARD
Clifton-Nels II. Johnson.
Diamond Bluf--D. N. Wethern.
Ellsworth (town)-Ed. Murphy.
FL Paso-E ]. Fitzgerald.
Gilman-A. F. Bleisner.
Hartland--S. p. Roatch.
Isabelle-Wm. Spriggle.
Martell--W A. Kay.
Maiden Rock (town)-John p. Olson,
Oak Grove-Albert Corcoran.
River Falls (town)-Wm. Foley.
Rock Elm-David Scott.
Salem-J. Rohrer.
Trenton-James Gilmore.
Trimbelle-F. A. Severance.
Union-Mike Fox.
Village ELLSWORTH. L. Moody.
Village Maiden Rock-John Prichard.
Village Spring Valley. A. Martin.
City Prescott-Jas. Goldsworthy, d. Murray, 8.
e. Mcdonald.
City River False. w. Chinook, Thos, TAFT,
v. E. Bailey.
CITY OFFICERS.
Mayor-JaS Dunn.
Assessor-W. III. sanderson.
Treasurer-warren P. Knowles.
Marshal-Peter Simon.
Street Commissioner-F. ]. Savage.
Clerk--A. p. Weld.
Health Ofacer-Dr. K. A. Toby.
Aldermen-1st ward, +. v. Williams; 2nd
ward, H. e. Chinook: Srd ward, Q. q, BaFg;
4th ward, @. @. Knowles.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-06-16
River Falls Celebrates!
Excellent Program.


River Falls is to celebrate the
glorious Fourth. If present plans
materialize it will celebrate as never
before. The Redmen have taken
up the matter and are pushing it
forward with all the enthusiasm
that characterizes our local tribe.
Committees have been appointed to
arrange for speaker, music, ball
game, sports, and prizes. 1t is the
intention of the Indians to get out
the finest parade that has ever been
seen on Our streets. Larger prizes
than ever before will be offered for
floats. Prizes will also be offered
to the best uniformed secret socie-
ties, etc. NOW, don't knock! Help
this along. Drop your membership
in the Anvil Chorus. Be Booster.
Though the celebration may not
put money directly into your peck
cts, it will help the town and that
means a benefit to you. Tell your
friends! River Falls celebrates.
Look for full program next week.
Into each life some ruins must fall,
Wise people don't sit down and
bawl;
Only fools suicide or take to flight,
Smart people take Rocky Mountain
Tea at night. C. r. Taggart.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-06-16
Card of Thanks.

To the neighbors and friends who
so kindly gave US their sympathy
and assistance at the death and
burial of our mother, our heartfelt
thanks are extended.
Mr.. AND MRS. E. GRossKRT.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-06-16
Opening Rosebud, 8. D., Reser.
walton.

For the above occasion we will
sell round-trip tickets July 1st to
22nd inclusive, good for return up
to August 81, 1904. Rates, River
falls to Bonesteel, S. D., $3.50;
River Falls to Fairfax, S. D., $3.50;
River Falls to Yankton, S. D., $13.-
10. For stop-overs and going limit
apply at station. Any one wishing
these tickets apply a few days
ahead as tickets are not kept on
hand. w. S. DAVIS, Agent.