The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-04-16
To Make It Fine Structure
 For Offices. THREE MORE STORIES Practically a New SkyScraper
 on Court Square. When Completed Property Will Rep- resent an Investment of Nearly
 S2OO,OOO-May Begin Work

The Mosese building on Court Square has been purchased by w. F. Vandiver of Montgomery for $l35,0O0. He will spend. s65,00O. or more in re- modelling and increasing the height of the building, making it a modern office building of not Less than ten stories, with two fast passenger elevators and at least 100 rooms.
 It is said that this early skyscraper of Montgomery will be rechristened and, as The Vandiver," will serve as last ing monument to. the progressive citi- gen of Montgomery who has given so much to the material welfare of the city.
 The deal by which MT. Vandiver be- comes owner of the Moses building was consumated yesterday afternoon when Henry C. Davidson, as agent Tor the interested parties. received from a law firm a favorable report on the titles to the property. Consummation. of the trade depended on this report although payments had been made Tn New York several days ago subject to the investigation of the titles.
 Widow of Mir. Wright Dead.
 The Moses building was owned by tine estate of David Wright or Dun- kirk N. Y who died two years ago. For three or four months MT. Vandi- yer has contemplated purchasing the nroperty but delay was due to the ill., ness of MT Wright's widow who dled in Dunkirk Friday morning at 5 o'clock.
 Miss Susan Wright, daughter Of the aged couple, was in Montgomery two weeks ago en route to her New york home from Florida having been called there by the illness of her mother. While here she was with MT. and Mrs. Davidson.
 The preliminary arrangements TOT the transfer of the office building rom the Wright estate to MT. Vandlver were made in Dunkirk. N T., seVersi Ms weeks ago, MT. Vandiver and MT Davidson being present The trade was then closed and the contract was made subject to report on the titles which were received yesterday
 MT. Davidson Talks of Trade.
 MT. Vandiver was absent from Mont xomery yesterday having gone to Mo- Sile on business connected with the PeopIes Line of Steamers in which he Is interested, but MT. Davidson, who represented him in closing the trade with the Wight estate, talked freely Sf the transaction.
 MT. Vandiver and myself were sat )sffed when we returned rom New York last week." said MT. Davidson, Sthat the property would fall into his hands but we did not feel at liberty (o discuss 1t until we had a report on lhe titles; that being the matter on which the trade rested. I have just received a favorable report and the former owners have been notified that Nr. Vandiver accepts the building.
 'Tn A general way I can say that MT. Vandiver expects to add at least three stories to the building giving 1t thirty six or forty additional rooms. It Will be equipped with two modern, up-to- date. fast-running passenger eleYa- tors. Tiling will be put down on all of the hall floors; the walls will De wainscoted with marble; new sanitary connections will be put in and in fact if will be made a modern office build- ing in every respect.
 "The preliminary plans for the inn provements have been drawn and the estimated expenditure is $60.000. This will make total investment or hear- ly $200,000.
 May Begin This Summer.
 '"The beginning of the work of re- modelling the building will depend cn present leases. Some of the leases run until October, 1906, but we may be able to get the consent of those who are renting offices in the building to begin tho work this summer.
 The Moses building was erected In 1888. It occupies a corner known TOT many years to older Montgomertans as the Belshaw corner The property was DuTcnaSeQ 6dIsy III 1oo' SIoans of England by Moses Brothers, q real estate firm of Montgomery, and in March, 1888. the Montgomery Real Estate Company was organized Tor the purpose of constructing an office build ing This company consisted of M r. LeGrand, H. c. Moses. M. L. Moses. A H. Moses, w. l.. Chambers, DaV'o Clopton and c. A Lanier.
 The Moses building was finished ana was occupied about october l5, lSsS. At that time 1t was regarded as one Of the handsomest buildings of its Kind Tn Alabama It's six floors and sixty rooms. above tho ground, and Its im- posing appearance was for number or years the pride of Montgomery. The original cost of the building was about $195.000.
 In November, 1892. the building was purchased for about $122,000 by David Wright of Dunkirk. N. Y. He bought the property from George o. Janney and J. c. Cheney. acting as Trustees for Moses Bros.
 There are certain of the heirs of the Sloan family of England who, it is said inherited life interest In the building but 1t is probable disposition has been made of this interest.
 Mir. Davidson said yesterday that with the completion of the new office tug in Montgomery should cease as il was the intention of MT. Vandiver tC make the property a credit Co Mont gomery.