The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-01-18
CLEARS GROUND
FOR NEW ARMORY
Contractor Pulls Down Old
Structure, Removing His
toric Landmark.
WILL BUILD BEST IN STATE
Every Detail for Convenience
of Battalion Put in New
Building.

Within a few days the old armory
of the First Virginia Infantry at
Seventh and Marshall Streets, will have
been RACED to make room for the
modern structure which is to be the
home of the Richmond Grays Bat
TALON Workmen have been busy the
past week in removing the semi-clrcular
roof, while the floors and most OF the
side wall timbers have been taken out.
The three residences in rear of the
arnorv on Marshall Street bought by
the city to secure more ground for the
new building. are almost down TO the
street level The demolition has been
rapid. taking the breath OF those
watching it.
Necessary as the change is. it is
accomplished not without regret from
men who worked so hard to have the
armory built more than thirty years
ago, who put so much money and time
and effort into it. and who joined IN
the various affairs under its roof From
day to day scraps of history are re-
called by these men.
Worked Hard for Money.
After years OF effort. the City
Council was induced in 1881 to appro-
pirate $50 900 toward the erection of a
new armory for the First Virginia
Regiment of Infantry. Hard as have
been the labors of Major l.. T. Price
years in trying to get the money for
the structure now to be erected, and
worn as are the paths he has made in
his numberless journeys to the CITY
Hall. the men who were at the head OF
the enterprise in 1881 say that he has
had a picnic compared with what they
went through. Politics had to be played
in season and out OF season for years
before the Council would loosen its
purse strings. The sum OF s2o.~O
was regarded then as "A great concession.
but it looks small today indeed when
compared with the sIo5.ooO appropriated
by the Council 20 build an armOry fl
to house modern militia battalion
Colonel John y. Purcell was com
mander Of the First Infantry in those
days and was chairman Of the building
committee. Associated with him was
Lieutenant Colonel afterwards col
onel and adjutant- general Charles J.
Anderson and Captain A C Jones. of
Company 3. later colonel of the regi-
ment These three men bore the bur
den and heat of the day.
Companies Raised Money
The $4,000 contributed By the city
sufficed only TO build the walls and lay
the foundation. The command was
left to do the rest. The companies
and from private contributions. and
put in the partitions and decorations
and furnished the rooms in which they
met. IL Is estimated that the four
companies raised and spent $500 in
making the armory % for use. The
amount OF unsclfsh cooperation and
military spirit necessary 10 raise the
money may De imagined
when 30 was done the command was
very proud OF its home. The doors
were generally thrown open 90 conven-
tions OF various sorts and TO amuse-
rncnt affairs given FOR public charity.
Many political meetings were held in
the building. including city convcn-
tions before the days Of primaries
IN fssi Moody and Sankcy held a
revival meeting There Tor two weeks.
packing the structure
A few days ago. in removing a floor
the remains OF q FIRE was discovered In
the ioists. which were ctsrrcd along
the stairway on the north eide Of the
building. and over tho room Of Com
pany a People who could rcmcm Der
a frc were few. but DO was az length re-
held there BY the Knights 81 Labor. al
which there was much loss. especially
60 Company 8. How % was settled
seems not 20 DC recalled.
Cot Money for Home
4 notable bazaar held ~ thc building
vas the one in which money vas raised
% help build the Ice Camp Soldiers
Home This was managed by q COM
mittor composed % The late Major
Norman Y. Randolph. Colonel John p.
Purcell and Colonel 4. G. Jones.
or later years the use OF the arrnory
for such affairs was discouraged. a.
tending % prevent military exercises
and 20 add TO danger from hre. IN Tact.
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