The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-03-31
ARMORY
Site Viewed As Future Fire
Headquarters
Council Tips Off Big Surprise
Monday Night
With Initial Steps Towards
AfmOFy Purchase
Occupied By Uniform Rank,
X. Of P, Since 1899

fhlthOh6h PcblOu AuOtS VI I6b6
nsignificance by the overshadowin
issue of the evening-the streetcar
neutrality-suspicious. moves on
the part of council at its meeting
Monday night looking toward the
purchase by the city of the site and
buildings now used by the U. II. X. of
plumbing shop on the northeast cor
ner OF the square, sprang the biggest
surprise of the year.
For some time, members of council
nave had something up their sleeves,
but have kept as silent as death about
1t. The change of meeting place
from Solicitor Koons office to the Ma
sonic temple building was delayed
slightly by some unknown force.
Council went into secret executive
session one night month or so ago
prior to the formal calling to order
OF the body. Members intimated, by
chance remarks, on several occasions
that something was brewing in re-
spect to new location for the city
fire department, but when the cat
came out of the bag Monday night
there was much astonishment and
surprise.
knowing that the lease on the arm
5ory and adjoining properties, held by
Kokosing Company No. n. U. II. H.
of p, was soon TO expire, and reali2.
ing that the site would be a splendid
one for the fire department, members
of council saw e. o. Arnold, the own
or, not long ago and secured an OPP
tion for purchase Of the site and
buildings. The option expires April
].
The Third ward engine house will
he sold some time in the near future
to the Methodist Episcopal church
for the sum Of $4,000. This was or
dered by council few months ago
after representatives OF the church
complaining that services were dis
turbed by the hauling-n OF drunks OF
Sunday morning, offered to purchase
the property.
Mr., Arnold set price of $1l,300 OF
his armory property. TO make III
the difference between this purchas,
price and the sum accruing from tn,
sale of the engine house, an ordinance
was introduced and carried at coun
ell Monday night, providing for thu
issuance of certificates of indebted
ness in the sum of $500 to enabl
the safety department to purchas
the armory site. Following the paf
sage of this ordinance, another wa
carried providing for the issuance O
bonds in the sum of $500 for tn
same purpose and To take up the ceI
tiicates OF Indebtedness. Finally, "A
ordinance was introduced; authors
ing the safety director to enter int
"a contract with E. o. Arnold for til
purchase OF the site for use by til
flre department. This ordnance wa
referred to the ordinance committe
Councilmen seem very favorable
the proposition to buy the armor
site, and final action will in all prob
bility be taken next Monday nigh
Whatever opposition. il any, that ma
have arisen at any time seems
have been oyerridden by those cou
'cilmen In favor of the proposition.
The Uniform Rank, X. Of f., has o
cupied the nrmory since May /, lS9
Their drill hall Ia one OF the fine
dance floors in the city and this wi
be greatly missed n they are force
TO give mp the quarters Secretai
William c. Appleton stated Tuesdt
that the uniform rank aad suspect,
that they might be forced to yaca
some time soon. He stated that hi
Watha lodge OF Moose had consider,
the purchase OF the armory, but g,
IDENTITY had abandoned it. Secreta
Appleton remarked that the unifor
rank had no knowledge at all of cou
ellis interest in the building lie ga
thai the uniform rank would have
decide in the future, II council pt
chased the building. where meetln
would be held Castle hall on We
Gambler street, used by the subor
nate lodge, would be available. N