The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-04-07
Copied Story

Pictured here is William A. Falcon
er, who serveral years ago copied
from the files of the Minnesota his
torical society the story carried In
the Bismarck Tribune OF Sept. S, 1883,
intimately describing the cornerstone
ceremony for the old Dakota terri
torial capitol. Falconer moved to Bis
marck July %, 1874, and Mrs. Fall
coner came here June 6. 1873. They
reside at 202 Avenue E.
Committees
Reception - Alexander Mckenzie,
chairman.
Executive-Elijah Coffin, chairman.
Programme-Dr. w. A. Bentley,
chairman.
Finance-deorge E. Reed, chair
man.
Carriages-Robert Macnider, chair
man.
Decorations-J. F. Wallace, Oscar
II WIN. E. M. Fuller.
The Grounds-A Beautiful Spot
BY the terms Of agreement whereby
the capital of Dakota was placed at
Bismarck, the citizens donated $780,
600 in cash to the capitol commission
and $50 acres OF valuable land, l6O Of
which Is located around the capitol
site. It is proposed to lay out into lots
all but 20 acres Of this 160 and sell
them at auction. The money realized
from this source IS to be added to the
100000 and put into the building
fund. Thus q magnificent building Is
assured without cost to the territory
In other words, the people of Bur-
leigh county donate to the territory
Of Dakota handsome grounds and
commodious capitol building. There
were many competitors for the capitol
prize throughout the territory but the
Bismarck site was chosen because of
its beauty, the magnificence Of the
donation on the part OF the people
and It's central location In the great
territory. The site Is indeed beauti-
full, commanding as it does view
of the city Of Bismarck, while In the
distance Apple Greek loses its identity
and joins its parent stream, the Mis-
souri,.
The beautiful table land upon
which the city is located Is about 80
feet above the Missouri river. The
succession Of table-lands, or benches,
the broad bottom lands Of the Mis-
souri,. with their garment of green,
the fringe Of timber along the wind
ing river, the high bluffs on the west
side Of the stream and the yellow
fields of wheat stubble to the left. Is
. picture for q painters canv0,
Impressed by Beauty
Those who travelled about the ter
r:tory with the capitol commission,
and the commission itself, were sim
gularly impressed with the beauty OF
the site. and from the day of the visit
Of the commission the chances of To-
cation were as three to one In favor
Of Bismarck getting the prize. The
ground selected for the capitol build
ing lies between Fifth and Sixth
streets and on the second rise or hill
above the town. It is only q few
blocks from the high school building
being erected. and about 10 minutes
walk from the very center Of the
business portion Of the city.
Additions to the city have been laid
cut on every side Of the capitol
grounds and In q few years that re-
gion will be the bon ton residence
portion Of the metropolis. The capt.
til grounds are to be neatly graded
and the landscape artist in charge
will initiate to q great extent the
beautiful capitol Of Wisconsin ct Mad
isou.
The building viii be approached by
four roads running at right angles
A vast amount Of money will be spent
In identifying the grounds, and It Is
expected that when finished Dakota
will have the finest capitol in the
west. The Dakota capitol building
viii be 15Oxl80 feet on the ground
and three full stories In height above
the basement: 56-foot walls with
dome 100 feet. The basement will be
Il feet, the first floor IA feet, the
second floor 16 feet, and the third
floor II feet. The senate chamber
and hall Of the house Of representa-
tives viii be 80 feet from floor to
ceiling.
Allotment o. Room
The first floor will be divided as
follows: On the right Of the vesti-
bule Will be the governors reception
room, office and private office. The
secretary Of states office will be OPP
posite the governors rooms. The at
torney generals office and private
rooms, and territorial auditor will
have two rooms each, the treasurer
and superintendent Of public irstruc-
ton three each. Connected with each
Of these suites Of rooms will be q
large fireproof vault. On the second
floor will be found the chambers Of
the senate and house Of representa-
tives, po6toffice. supreme court
room, rooms for the clerk Of the 81.
preme court, territorial library, offices
for railoed, tax and insurance COM
missioners, and an office for each Of
the five Judges Of the supreme court
and the several committee rooms fo1
tho use Of the legislature. The sen
ate and house Of representatives
chambers win extend two stories high
being 80 feet.
The balance Of the third story will
be fitted up for committee rooms, etc
a. sa