Omaha daily bee., 1906-04-08
OLD CORNERSTONE CHEST
Copper Box Under Late Y. N. o, A. Build
ing Recovered, Perfectly Intact
BURIED FOR NEARLY NINETEEN YEARS
Unearthed Too Late 90 Re Placed
Together with other One I'm
Foundation Of the New
Structure.

Somewhat furnished with age, but per-
fectly dry and intact, the copper box in
the cornerstone of the old Young Mems
Christian Association building was uncov-
cred Friday afternoon by workmen engaged
in tearing down the structure. 1t was
taken from the stone by Walter Jardine
in the presence Of Arthur Brandeis, Emil
Brandeis and 1. w. Carpenter, president
of the association. Upon opening the box
with a chisel, the contents were found to
be absolutely dry and corresponded In
description with the articles mentioned In
the association records as having been
placed in the cornerstone.
Mr.. Carpenter carried the pox across the
street to the Office of the Conservative
Savings and Loan association, and Satur-
day morning it was taken to the associa-
ton rooms. The contents will be examined
by the board of directors at their next
meeting and the box will be placed In a
vault in the office of the association.
Not In Time for New One.
Il am very sorry" said Mr.. Emil Bran
deis, that the box was not discovered
week sooner, so its contents could have
been placed In the box Of the recently laid
cornerstone of the new building at Seven
teenth and Harvey streets"
II Mr.. Brandes' wish had been FULFILLED.
the copper box in the new cornerstone
would have been much larger. As it n,
the box is much larger than the one un-
covered Friday, to receive the Increased
| bulk of the local publications. the ma
jority of which were only four-page sheets
when the old home of the association was
erected.
The cornerstone was laid at o'clock
on the afternoon of September L. 1887, in
! the northeast corner OF the foundation.
! The program included music by the Union
Pacific band, prayer by Rev. c. w. Savidge,
an historical address by Robert Weidensall,
| general western secretary of the Young
Mems Christian association; an address
| by John NJ. Thurston. a report by the
financial secretary. ]. E. Endign, and the
reading OF a letter from President p. c.
! Himebaugh by John l. Kennedy AS vice
president of the association. John L. Ken
nedy laid the stone. Dean Gardner pro-
nounced the benediction.
Contents of the Box.
In the box were these articles: Photo
| graph of the first president, Watson B.
Smith; photograph of the building; list of
| ministers In Omaha when the association
was organized, list Of presidents Of the
association; list of general secretaries,
showing length Of service; list Of recording
secretaries; circular Of building committee,
1896: list of officers and committees in 1887;
blank application for membership; names
Of architect and contractors; names of
committee on arrangements for corner
stone laying; statement showing the men,
bershlp of the association to be between
500 and 600; copy of the Young Mems Chris
tian association National Year Book, 1887;
copy of Young Mems Christian association
Waterman. September !, 1887; copy Of
Omaha Swedish Tribune; copies Omaha
Excelsior Christmas, 1885, and September
10, 1887; copies Omaha Bee, World, Republi-
can and Herald, September ID. 1887: cut Of
proposed building; circular Omaha Board
Of Trade to the Presbyterian general
assembly; cards announcing association
meetings; photograph Of P. G. Himebaugh;
photograph OF Robert Weidensall letter
from Robert Weidensall; map OF Omaha;
personal cards Of secretaries, contractors
and board of directors.