Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-04-17
U. S. ARSENAL
Formally Transferred to
the State Of Maine.
For the Use of Maine Insane
Hospital in This City.
Congressman Bur'eigh Receives Deed
From Secretary Taft Saturday.

Congressman Burleigi received the
Taft. Secretary of War, Saturday
which will explain itself:
War Department., Washington,
April II, 1905.
My dear sir:
j have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter of the 3Oth ultimo
in which you ask to he Informed what
steps should be taken to bring about
the transfer of the Nennebec Arsenal
property to the trustees of Maine State
Insane Hospital under the Act Of Con-
gress approved, March 5, 1905.
In reply l transmit, herewith, a deed
executed this day. conveying to the
State of Maine, for the use of its Insane
Hospital at Augusta, pursuant to the
provisions of the above mentioned act
the property known us the kennebec
Arsenal property.
Very respectfully,
WILLIAM H. TAFT,
Secretary of War.
Hon. f. c. Burlcigh, Augusta, Maine.
The following is the full text OF the
deed: .'.
Know all men by these presents
That whereas, By an Act of Congress
approved. March g. entitled AN Act au-
thorizing the Secretary of War to con-
vey the Kennebec Arsenal property,
situated in Augusta. Maine. to the State
of Maine for public purposes public
No. 235), it is provided:
That the Secretary of War be, and he
&c 1,ar nby,
convey, by deed duly and properly exc
cuted, to the State Of Maine, for the
use of a State Institution, organized un-
der the laws of the State of Maine and
maintained by said State, known as the
Maine Insane hospital, at Augusta,
Maine, the property situated in the cor
porate limits of said Augusta, belonging
TO the government of the United States,
formerly used as an arsenal and known
as the Kennebec Arsenal property, the
same comprising about 40 acres, and
bounded on the north by private prop
erty, on the east by the road to Pitts
ton, on the south by the Insane hospital
grounds, and on the west by the Ken
nebec river; said conveyance to provide.
however, that the estate thereby Great
cd shall continue so long only as the
said property shall be used by said
State as a part of and in connection
with the Maine Insane hospital for the
appropriate uses of an insane hospital
in conformity with the terms of this
Act; and that at any time the said
property may be taken possession of by
the United States whenever the Presi-
dent in his discretion. shall decide that
4 a nrfx " G Fin N
uses of the United States or that the
requirements of this Act are not strict
ly observed by the said State of Maine:
and that there shall be no liability on
the part of the United States at any
time for the use or destruction of any
building that may be placed on the said
property by the State Of Maine"
Now, therefore in compliance with
the foregoing Act Of Congress. I Will
liam RI. Taft. Secretary Of War of the
United States of America. do hereby
give. grant, and convey unto the State
of Maine for the use of the said Maine
Insane hospital, all thai tract of land
belonging to the United States, former
Iy used as an arsenal, and known as
the Kenncbec Arsenal property. con-
tanning about forty (4D acres, situated
within the corporate limits of the City
of Augusta, Maine, and bounded on thu
north by private property. on the east
by the road to Pittston. on the south
by the Insane hospital grounds, and on
the west by the Kennebec river,
To have and to hold the said premis-
es unto and to the us2 Of the State Of
Maine upon the following provisions,
viz:
j. That the estate hereby created in
the State of Maine shall continue so
long only as the said property shall be
used by said state as a part Of and In
connection with the Maine Insane hos
pital for the appropriate uses of an In
sane hospital in conformity with the
terms of said Act of Congress:
2.-That at any time the said proper
ty may be taken possession of by the
United States whenever the President
ir his discretion, shall decide that the
said propcrty in needed for the uses of
the United States, or that the require
ments of said Act of Congress are not
strictly observed by the said State of
Maine.
3.-That there shall be no liability on
the part of the United States at any
time for tie use or destruction Of any
building that may be placed on the said
property by the state of Maine.
Given under my hand and the seal Of
the seal of the War Department this
18th day of April. 1899.
VIM. II. TAFT.
Secretary Of War.
District of Columbia: S.
On the 18th day Of April. 1905, before
me. the undersigned. 4 notary public in
and for the District aforesaid. person.
ally appeared VIM. Fl. Taft, Secretary
of r,of the United States of America,
and acknowledged the above instrument
to be his free act and deed as such
secretary of war for the uses and pur-
poses therein set forth.
Given under my hand and notorial
seal:
JNO. 3. RANDOLPH,
Notory Public.