The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1931-02-26
Old Capitol Vanishes

Olu CdplCOl VdnlSleS
The work of dynamiting the old capitol was prac-
ticaly finished Tuesday. and all that remains Of this
part Of the work is to trim up the rough edges of the
walls of the north section, which is to be kept standing
and repaired for temporary use until the time comes to
lay foundations for the new capitol.
The immense heap of red brick and stone which re-
a brief chapter on the architectural history of the build
ing.
The centre or pioneer section which was erected in
1883, was built from brick manufactured in a local yard
located near the railroad track. which was at that time
owned and operated by John Jackman. Several years
later this brick yard was acquired by the state. and was
for several seasons after 1900 operated by prison labor.
The prisoners we're hauled to the yard in wagons, ac-
c%ompanied by outriders and guards on horseback. In
digging out the clay, a large mound or pyramid was left
in the centre of the workings, on the top of which a
special guard was stationed.
The facing brick for this first section was manu-
featured at Sims, a small station west Of Mandan, by
M. w. Pye, who invested a small fortune in machinery
and equipment. 1t was discovered that the clay at that
point contained a considerable amount Of lime, which
caused the bricks to dsintegrate. and MI. Pye had to
abandon the works at a considerable loss.
Ten years after the capitol was built, the south wing
was added. Brick for this addition was hauled up the
river from st. Louis in steamboats,. The senate chamber
and governors offices were located in this section.
1t took another 10 years to outgrow the enlarged build
ing, and in 1904 the north wing was added. In 1t the
house chamber was located. The material used was
white pressed brick manufactured at Dickinson, trim
med with sandstone. That the walls OF all the three
successive sections were we'll built has been
discovered in the dynaniting operations.
A curious feature of the original central section was
a massive tower, erected in its exact centre, its purpose
being to carry the capitol dome. which was never built
for lack of money. If that dome had been built as
planned, it would have been the largest, highest and
most pretentious Of its kind in the west at that time.
That this central tower was intended to carry a great
load may be gathered from the fact that It was 2ox2o
feet. with walls Az feet thick for the first two stories
Its foundation was carried 8 feet into the ground with
massive abutments both inside and outside.
At the top the tower was built out somewhat in the
nature OF a giant chimney, to the thickness Of about &
feet, to meet and support the dome structure, which
was planned. Every story in the tower had great open
arches on all four sides.
Outside of the tower and attached to it to the north
were two great airshafts built Of masonry. One of these
was subsequently used as a passenger elevator shaft
and the other was filled with three vaults, one bull;
above the other. The topmost Of these which was used
by the highway department., was so badly damaged in
the. fire that most of Its valuable contents were destroyed
In the wing left standing for temporary use, the floors
were left intact but are badly warped. It Is not expected
that these floors will be relaid or repaired to any extent
The state auditors vault was not seriously damaged and
because of the immense lot Of records in that vault, 1t
was considered advisable not to move them all out, but
to find a convenient place for that department close BY
It was for that reason, mainly. that the state auditor
was given rooms in the library section of the Memorial
building.
It is believed that the capitol wing will be sufficiently
repaired by the first of June to allow the auditors de-
partment to move in. Other departments that are ex-
pected to move in when the repairs are made are the
Land department and the state treasurer.
There has been a rumor that an effort might be made
to have the debris removed from the capitol site by
prison labor, but it is said that such a procedure would
take too long and be in the end too expensive. It is
therefore more than likely that steam shoves will be
Used to clear the ground for the two million dollar build
ing that viii rise on the site Of the old ruins.
A continuing reminder of the old capitol and its
vanished glories is the appearance every morning OF
big Emil and two other trusty prisoners from the peni-
Tertiary. who take care of the capitol grounds under the
supervision Of Mr.. Dobson.
They ride to and from their work in former Gov
vernon Whites station wagon. which was once q highly
polished and elegant carriage, but Is now painless. top
less and dilapidated. The wagon Is fitted with shafts
and is pulled by q big and slow farm horse. The rig
is not any too fast, judged by present-day speed ratios,
but is very punctual in its hours Of arrival and departure.