USA > Missouri > St Louis County > St Louis City > History of Saint Louis City and County, from the earliest periods to the present day: including biographical sketches of representative men > Part 81
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153 | Part 154 | Part 155 | Part 156 | Part 157 | Part 158 | Part 159 | Part 160 | Part 161 | Part 162 | Part 163 | Part 164 | Part 165 | Part 166 | Part 167 | Part 168 | Part 169 | Part 170 | Part 171 | Part 172 | Part 173 | Part 174 | Part 175 | Part 176 | Part 177 | Part 178 | Part 179 | Part 180 | Part 181 | Part 182 | Part 183 | Part 184 | Part 185 | Part 186 | Part 187 | Part 188 | Part 189 | Part 190 | Part 191 | Part 192 | Part 193 | Part 194 | Part 195 | Part 196 | Part 197 | Part 198 | Part 199 | Part 200 | Part 201 | Part 202 | Part 203 | Part 204 | Part 205
D. P. Rowland, president of the Merchants' Ex- change, Mayor Britton, Rev. Dr. W. G. Eliot, Way- man Crow, Capt. James B. Eads, Samuel M. Edgell, George Knapp, Charles Hunt, Adolphus Meier, ex- Governor E. O. Stanard, John Beach, Web. M. Samuel, Maj. Francis D. Lee, George Partridge, D. A. January, William H. Scudder, George H. Mor- gan, Capt. Nanson, Craig Alexander, John B. Maude, Michael McEnnis, William M. Senter, R. P. Tansey, Capt. Davidson, and John Booth.
Hon. E. O. Stanard called the meeting to order,
greater reverses by fire, pestilence, and flood, by financial crises, by internal dissensions and civil war; and yet we have passed through all, chiefly by the sturdy strength and steadfastness of our business men. At the present time, notwithstanding many disturbing influences and more 'exceptions' to the course of strict honesty than are necessary to 'establish the rule,' the prevailing tendencies are in the right direction. The future is clear and bright before us. To your hands, gentlemen, upon whom the burden and heat of the day must fall, the commercial destinies of our city are committed. Let the future be better than the past by as much as the magnificent building to which we go is better than that from which, almost reluctantly, we must now depart."
and stated that as the hall was so very large, and its acoustic properties had never been tried, it would be necessary to preserve the strictest silence to secure a hearing of the speakers. He then introduced Maj. Francis D. Lee, chief architect of the building, who delivered possession to R. J. Lackland, president of the Chamber of Commerce Association, accompanying the formal transfer of the structure with a brief address. Mr. Lackland then delivered the building in turn to D. P. Rowland, president of the Merchants' Ex- change. In the course of his remarks, Mr. Lackland complimented Col. George Knapp, chairman of the building committee, for the untiring energy which he had displayed in overcoming all obstacles to the completion of the edifice. "To his (Col. Knapp's) far-sighted public spirit and indomitable energy," added Mr. Lackland, " we are mainly indebted for this beautiful structure."
On behalf of the Merchants' Exchange, Mr. Row- land accepted the trust from Mr. Lackland, to whose remarks he responded in a brief and eloquent address. Prayer was then offered by Rev. Dr. W. G. Eliot, after which Capt. James B. Eads, orator of the day, was introduced, and delivered an elaborate and able address. A poem on commerce was then recited by Solon N. Sapp, which was followed by addresses by Web M. Samuel, Hon. E. O. Stanard, and George H. Morgan. Mr. Morgan then read a communica- tion from Thomas A. Buckland, a member of the first board of directors of the Merchants' Exchange, congratulating the association on the grand results which had been achieved, and referring to the great changes which had taken place since thirty years before, when the pulpit of the First Baptist Church stood almost in the spot occupied by the president's desk in the new hall. Capt. Frank B. Davidson being called on made a few remarks, after which President Rowland declared the meeting adjourned, and the vast assemblage dispersed. In the evening the hall was illuminated and a concert was given, which was repeated on the following night.
The building is one of the most spacious, attractive, and conveniently arranged structures of its class in the world, and its total cost (including the site) was about $1,800,000.
It occupies the eastern and principal portion of the block bounded by Third, Fourth, Chestnut, and Pine Streets, having a main frontage of two hundred and thirty-five feet on Third Street, and secondary fronts of one hundred and eighty-seven feet each on Chest- nut and Pine Streets.
Externally the edifice is of cut Warrensburg sand- stone, and is apparently but three stories high, although
1359
COMMERCIAL EXCHANGES.
it is in reality five, exclusive of the basement. The basement is treated with quoined piers, with red gran- ite plinths and boldly moulded caps, and the first story with piers supported by moulded bases and caps, car- rying a bold cornice enriched with triglyphs. The second and third stories are of the composite order, the pilasters coupled and supported with pedestals, with balusters between the same. The centre of the Third Street front is enriched with detached columns in the several stories, surmounted by a bold pediment. A rich crowning entablature, carrying a balustrade, sur- mounts the entire building. In all parts of the de- sign the reliefs are bold, producing the fullest effect of light and shade; and although the separate parts of the building are almost colossal, the general effect of the whole is light and airy. The style of the archi- tecture is something of a mixture, but may properly be classed of the renaissance order.
The principal façade is recessed twenty-one feet from the original building line of Third Street, thus giving room for a broad sidewalk and spacious area along that entire front. It is also recessed on Chestnut and Pine Streets, so that the sidewalks there are increased to a width of four- teen fcet.
Although the structure appears to be a unit, in reality there are two distinct buildings, separated internally by a large area for light and ventila- tion, but connected by a grand central stair hall and by arcades on Chestnut and Pine Strects. In that portion of the structure west of the internal area is situated the grand Exchange Hall, the clear dimen- sions of which are two hundred and thirty-five feet by ninety-eight feet in area, with a height of sixty-nine feet. It is lighted on every side with great windows filled with plate-glass in two tiers, separated by a light gallery extending around the hall. The door and hall casings are of massive walnut highly varnished and polished, with panel-work of French walnut. The bases of the pilasters and all the wainscotings are of the same material.
The president's desk with accessories on a raised platform ornaments the west side of the hall, and is the most elegant piece of work of the kind in the West. It is of walnut, carved and moulded in the most tasteful manner. The desks of the members, the grain tables, and, in short, all the other fittings are likewise of walnut. The grain tables are all covered with thick slabs of highly-polished white marble.
The ceiling, including the cornice and cone, is ninety-nine by two hundred and fifteen feet, and ex- clusive of them is fifty by one hundred and seventy- nine, and is divided into three compartments, each containing a grand medallion.
The central figure of the ceiling is emblematic of St. Louis, and is surrounded by groups typical of the agri- cultural, mineral, and industrial products of the Mis- sissippi valley. The group of figures to the north represents the four quarters of the world bringing their various offerings to the West, which, with out- stretched arms, offers its products in exchange. The two figures at the bottom complete the representation of the West with the Mississippi River.
The two end compartments are composed of geo- metrical divisions, ornamented in imitation of stucco, containing each four panels, with emblematic repre- sentations of the industries of the State of Missouri
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
in basso-relievo. The centres of these two compart- ments form each a medallion of twenty-six by twenty- six feet. The one on the north end represents char- acteristic types of European nations,-England, Ger- many, Italy, France, Scotland, and Ireland forming a central group, surrounded by Russia, Switzerland, Spain, Sclavonia, European Turkey, and Greece. The south medallion represents characteristic types of Asia and Africa,-Arabia, Egypt, Judea, China, and Japan forming the principal group, surrounded by Ethiopia, Caucasia, India, Persia, Abyssinia, and Mongolia.
The cornice surrounding the ceiling, with the span- drels and lunettes over the windows, forms a border twenty feet wide, containing the names of all the States of the Union, and representations of the mer- chant flags of the world in panel-work, enriched with ornaments in imitation of stucco.
1360
HISTORY OF SAINT LOUIS.
The style of this decoration is of the classic Vene- tian school of the sixteenth century, of which it is a magnificent illustration. The ceiling, as a whole, presents a scene of gorgeous beauty, which is only intensified by an examination of the various groups and figures in detail. The coloring is of a florid. tone, the harmony of which is preserved in the minutest particular, the contrasts and shades being so arranged as not in any instance to attract the eye from the general effect.
The artists were Messrs. Becker & Sciepcevich, fresco and decorative painters of St. Louis.
The building fronting on Third Street is entirely devoted to banks and offices, and has a basement and five stories. The first story contains six rooms of ample dimensions, arranged with fire- and burglar- proof safes and every accommodation for first-class moneyed institutions. The upper four stories are divided into sixty commodious and well-lighted offices, furnished like the first with fire-proof safes and every modern convenience. The basement con- tains a number of large rooms suitable for brokers' or exchange offices and various other kinds of business.
The first story of that portion of the structure under the ground hall is devoted to banks, offices, or any business purpose for which it may be required.
A noticeable feature of the interior consists of six immense doors opening into the grand hall, each one nine feet wide and eighteen feet high. They fold back into the thickness of the wall so as to afford no obstruction when opened, and are composed of dark hard wood of several hues, paneled, moulded, enriched, and highly polished. They are finished with bold architraves, entablatures, and pediments.
The grand staircase, which cost twenty-five thou- sand dollars, leads from the basement to the grand hall, and is accessible from every face of the building. It is of imposing proportions, and is composed of hard woods, and the newels and balusters are massive, and of elegant designs of carving, moulding, and pan- eling. Some idea of its dimensions may be obtained from the fact that it occupies an area of twenty-seven by sixty-one feet.
There are six broad entrances to the building,- three on Third Street, one on Pine, one on Chest- nut, and one on the court west of the structure. The principal or central entrance on Third Street is very beautiful and strictly classical, of the Doric order. The frieze of the portico bears the name and purpose of the building in raised letters carved from the stone. The stairway from this entrance leads directly to the grand hall. The other entrance on Third Street, as well as those on Pine and Chest-
nut, communicate with the main stairway, and also with the steam elevators, which extend through the entire height of the building, giving easy and ready access to every part of the building.
During the National Democratic Convention which nominated Samuel J. Tilden for President there were five thousand two hundred chairs on the floor of the hall, and at the formal opening of the hall it con- tained over ten thousand people. In the centre of the hall, and directly in front of the rostrum, stands a large handsome fountain, throwing out jets of water in all directions, adding not only to the beauty of the surroundings but also to the comfort of all present, particularly on hot summer days. This was the gift of John A. Scudder, an ex-president of the Exchange and one of its most enterprising members. The fountain is on rollers, and can be moved in and out of the hall with very little trouble. The archi- tects of the building were Lee & Annan.
The officers of the Chamber of Commerce from its formation up to 1862 were :
1836 to 1840 .- Edward Tracy, president; Henry Von Phul, vice-president; John Ford, secretary.
1841 to October, 1849 .- Wayman Crow, president; George K. McGunnegle, vice-president.
1836 to 1849 .- John Ford, Daniel Hough, and F. L. Ridgely, secretaries.
From October to December, 1849 .- George K. McGunnegle, president; Edward Briggs, vice-president ; Edward Barry, sec- retary.
1850 .- George K. McGunnegle, president; Edward Brooks, vice-president; Edward Barry, secretary.
1851, to March 4 .- George K. McGunnegle, president; Ed- ward Brooks, vice-president.
1851, from March 4 .- William M. Morrison, president ; Alfred Vinton and David Tatum, vice-presidents; Edward Barry, sec- retary.
1852 .- William M. Morrison, president; Alfred Vinton and Henry Von Phul, vice-presidents; Edward Barry, secretary.
1853 .- Alfred Vinton, president; James E. Yeatman and Henry Von Phul, vice-presidents; Edward Barry, secretary.
1854 .- Alfred Vinton, president ; R. M. Henning and Henry Von Phul, vice-presidents ; Edward Barry, secretary.
1855 .- R. M. Henning, president; Rufus J. Lackland and Henry T. Blow, vice-presidents ; Edward Barry, secretary.
1856, to May 31 .- R. M. Henning, president; J. A. Brown- lee and William T. Hazard, vice-presidents; W. B. Baker, sec- retary.
From June 9, 1856, and 1857 .- Henry Ames, president ; D. A. January and John J. Roe, vice-presidents; W. B. Baker, secretary.
1858 .- E. M. Ryland, president ; R. M. Funkhouser and T. A. Buckland, vice-presidents; W. B. Baker, secretary.
1859 .- R. M. Funkhouser, president; John T. Douglass and Charles L. Tucker, vice-presidents ; W. B. Baker, secretary.
1860 .- D. A. January, president ; M. L. Pottle and J. H. Oglesby, vice-presidents; W. B. Baker, secretary.
1861 .- D. A. January, president ; William Matthews and M. L. Pottle, vice-presidents ; W. B. Baker, secretary.
1862 .- William Matthews, president; James Mackoy and George Bayha, vice-presidents; R. H. Davis, secretary.
1361
COMMERCIAL EXCHANGES.
In 1862 the organization went out of existence, but, as we have seen, the Chamber of Commerce Associa- tion was formed in the autumn of 1871, and Rufus J. Lackland was elected president and still continues to serve as such. At the time of the completion of the building the officers were Rufus J. Lackland, president ; George Knapp, first vice-president, and B. W. Alexander, second vice-president, who with Web M. Samucl, George Bain, Charles Grcen, D. P. Row- land, J. H. Britton, J. R. Lionberger, J. H. Beach, Adolphus Meier, Charles L. Hunt, and Levi L. Ash- brook were the directors. George H. Morgan was secretary and treasurer.
The present board of directors is composed of the same persons, with the exception of J. H. Britton (deceased). The officers of the Merchants' Exchange (which succeeded the old Chamber of Commerce or- ganization in 1862) have been,-
Year.
President.
Vice-Presidents.
No. of Members.
1862.
II. J. Moore.
C. S. Greeley, A. W. Fagin.
675
1863.
G. Partridge.
C. S. Greeley, A. W. Fagin.
518
1864. T. Richeson.
B. Able, C. L. Tucker.
725
1865.
B. Able.
E. O. Stanard, H. A. Homeyer. 990
1866. .E. O. Stanard.
A. II. Smith, D. G. Taylor.
1110
1867.
C. L. Tucker.
E. Ames, D. G. Taylor.
1068
1868. J. J. Roe.
G. P. Plant, 11. A. Homeyer. 1268
1869.
G. P. Plant.
H. A. Homeyer, Nathan Cole. 1332
1870.
W. J. Lewis.
G. G. Waggaman, II. C. Yeager. 1282
1871. G. B. Allen.
R. P. Tansey, G. Bain. 1289
1872.
R. P. Tansey.
W. H. Scudder, C. H. Teichman. 1369
1873.
W. H. Scudder.
S. M. Edgell, W. M. Samuel, 1363
1874.
W. M. Samuel.
L. L. Ashbrook, J. F. Tolle.
1307
1875.
D. P. Rowland.
J. P. Meyer, W. M. Senter. 1442
1397
1877.
J. A. Scudder.
N. Schaefer, G. Bain.
1327
1878.
G. Bain.
II. C. Haarstick, Craig Alexander. 1290
1879.
J. Wahl.
M. McEnnis, W. J. Lemp.
1260
1880. A. H. Smith.
C. E. Slayback, J. C. Ewald. 1303
1881.
M. McEnnis.
J. Jackson, A. T. Harlow.
3533
1882. C. E. Slayback.
C. F. Orthwein, F. Gaiennie.
3565
1883. J. C. Ewald.
D. R. Francis, D. P. Grier.
Secretary and Treasurer, 1862, Clinton B. Fisk; 1863-64, J. H. Alex- ander; 1865-83, George H. Morgan.
Officers for the Year 1883 .- President, J. C. Ewald ; Vice-Presidents, D. R. Francis, D. P. Grier; Directors : 1883, Michael McEnnis, J. C. Mac- Ginnitie, Charles W. Barstow, John P. Keiser, Charles S. Freeborn ; 1883-84, Charles E. Slayback, D. P.Slattery, A.O. Grubb, L. C. A. Koenig, Ewing Hill; Secretary and Treasurer, George H. Morgan ; Assistants, D. R. Whitmore, Lovell W. Stebbins ; Cailer, Joseph P. Carr; Assistant Caller, John D. Bell ; Committee of Appeals, Stephen G. Price, J. D. Houseman, Jr., L. Methudy, Hugh Ferguson, Breedlove Smith, H. G. Bolın, D. L. Wing, E. F. Hoppe, John H. Evil, William Stobie, H. B. Eggers, Charles L. Thompson ; Committee of Arbitration : First six months, Henry S. Platt, R. H. Allen, Jr., A. Weyl, D. II. Bartlett, Delos R. Haynes; Second six months, James M. Carpenter, F. W. Rockwell, A. F. Donk, C. Bernet, Joseph Lloyd; Door-Keeper, James P. Neweil ; Registry Clerk, Frank L. Stobie; Telegraph Clerk, Frederick L. Stobie; Messenger, Edward M. Pottle.
The merchants of St. Louis, and in fact the com- munity generally, have just reason to be proud of their Exchange, which is universally recognized as being one of the most honorable and influential bodics in the country. It is not exaggeration to say that it is felt in the commerce of nearly cvery important
nation on the globe. commanding as it does the trade of the far-famed valley of the Mississippi, with its vast stores of produce and its busy hives of industry and thrift. Among its members have been not only many of the representative business men of St. Louis, but individuals who have been and now are conspicu- ous in national affairs. In its organization the Ex- change is comprehensive and essentially democratic, its doors being open to the members of all honorable trades, professions, businesses, or callings. Among them are commission merchants, insurance men, millers, dealers in fecd, grocers, flour dealers, produce mer- chants, brewers, teamsters, provision merchants, pork- packers, cotton buyers, fast freight transportation men, real estate men, manufacturers of paints, oils, and white lead, brokers, hide and wool merchants, maltsters, coal dealers, builders, blacksmiths, civil engineers, con- fectioners, coopers, cracker manufacturers, distillers, cider and vinegar manufacturers, druggists, farmers, foundrymen, hatters, hotel-keepers, ice dealers, iron manufacturers, lawyers, livery-stable keepers, lumber- men, manufacturers of macaroni, paper dealers, paint- ers, printers, railroad men, rope manufacturers, salt dealers, manufacturers of soap and candles, street sprinklers, stove dealers, stockmen, tanners, tobacco dealers, wire manufacturers, undertakers, in short, the Exchange is thoroughly representative of the commer- cial and industrial activity of St. Louis, and embraces the great bulk of those who contribute most to the wealth and prosperity of the community at large. It has always maintained a high and rigid standard of commercial ethics, and has contributed immensely to secure for the business men of St. Louis that reputa- tion for strictly honorable dealing which they enjoy throughout the commercial world.
The Cotton Exchange .- The first meeting of the organization now known as the St. Louis Cotton Ex- change was held in the directors' room of the old Mer- chants' Exchange building, on Main Street, on Oct. 17, 1873. The officers of the Cotton Association (for so it was then called) were Theodore G. Meier, president ; William M. Senter, vice-president ; Myron Coloncy, secretary ; and Messrs. William P. Shyrock, Henry Drucker, Miles Sells, S. A. Bemis, Harlow J. Phelps, D. W. Marmaduke, and John T. Watson, members of the directory. There had previously been held an informal gathering at the office of Theodore G. Meier, at which were present the gentlemen named above, together with Messrs. Ladd and Rowland. The asso- ciation so established and subsequently incorporated (in August, 1874) comprised eighty-onc members, who paid five dollars initiation fee each, and were as- sessed twenty dollars each for annual dues. At the
1876.
N. Cole.
J. Wahl, F. B. Davidson.
1362
HISTORY OF SAINT LOUIS.
first formal meeting the question of a suitable location was discussed, and it was
" Ordered, That the room fronting on Main Street, third floor of building joining the Merchants' Ex- change building, be rented for the use of this associa- tion at a rate of not more than twenty-five dollars per month."
At a subsequent meeting the president was author- ized to procure "a telegraphic machine" for the " rooms," by which appellation the single apartment was officially dignified. Cotton warehousemen were made to feel the power of the association by being notified that " weighers must plainly state the condi- tion of cotton upon their certificates, and the gross weight, tare, and net of the same."
At the fifth regular meeting was conceived the plan of offering large cash premiums on cotton at the approaching St. Louis Fair (1874), and it was " resolved that not less than ten thousand dollars be offered as pre- miums on cotton next fall." The Fair Asso- ciation met this tender in a reciprocally liberal spirit, and the cotton men increased the sum to cleven thousand dol- lars. This relation ex- isted up to 1881, and the premiums annually of- fered were an important factor in building up the cotton interest in St. Louis. On the ratifica- tion of the articles of incorporation the Association changed its name to the Cotton Exchange, by which it is now known, raised its dues and initiation fee to fifty dollars each, and elected the following officers on Sept. 16, 1874 : Theo. G. Meier, president ; William M. Senter, vice-president ; Myron Coloney, secretary ; and Messrs. William P. Shyrock, Henry Drucker, Miles Sells, S. A. Bemis, Harlon J. Phelps, John T. Watson, and L. C. Norvell, directors.
In 1875 the Exchange removed to new quarters on Main and Chestnut Streets, where its membership in- creased to three hundred in 1880, although during the five years preceding the membership fee had been
successively advanced to two hundred and fifty dollars, then five hundred dollars, and finally to the present figure, one thousand dollars, the annual dues remain- ing, however, at fifty dollars. At the first regular meeting of the directory of 1875 the present secre- tary, C. W. Simmons, was chosen, and he bids fair to serve efficiently many more terms. The presidency since that period has been occupied successively by William M. Senter, W. P. Shyrock, M. C. Hum- phrey, J. H. Dowell (who died during his term, Mr. Senter filling the unexpired portion), D. P. Rowland, and James L. Sloss.
The present officers are William M. Senter, presi- dent ; William L. Black, vice-president ; C. W. Simmons, secretary and treasurer ; Henry W. Young, assistant secre- tary ; Directors, William M. Senter, Wm. L. Black, James L. Sloss, J. B. Fisher, Theo. G. Meier, D. P. Rowland, W. V. Johnson, M. C. Humphrey, and T. H. West.
ST. LOUIS COTTON EXCHANGE, Southwest corner Main and Walnut Streets.
The new Exchange building was erected by the Cotton Exchange Building Company, com- posed of Vice-President William L. Black, Silas B. Jones, William T. Wilkins, and Leonard Matthews. Its erection was necessitated by the marvelous growth of the cotton interest and the inadequacy of the old quarters to the demands of the trade, and was determined on at a meeting of the directors of the Exchange in the month of November, 1879, at which D. P. Rowland, W. M. Senter, J. L. Sloss, and W. L. Black were appointed a committee to select a suitable location. The site chosen, southwest corner of Main and Wal- nut Streets, though " down town," has the desired ad- vantage of being near the river, the base of cotton supplies, and is also the centre of the district almost exclusively occupied by cotton factors and others in the trade. The building, which was designed by H. W. Kirchner, architect, is five stories in height (eighty feet in all), and fronts eighty-five feet on Main
M. M. Senter
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.
1363
COMMERCIAL EXCHANGES.
and one hundred and thirty-five on Walnut Street. There is ample accommodation for offices. The Ex- change hall proper, seventy-six by fifty feet, is on the second floor, and is reached by a beautiful and capa- cious corridor and staircase. Architecturally, the build- ing, designed after the renaissance school, is of stock brick, trimmed with stone and galvanized iron, the first story being of iron. The value of the ground and structure is about one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars. Its construction occupied a year. The grand hall is a model in its natural wood finish, the elegance of its furnishing, and in the good taste displayed in the fresco decorations. The latter com- prise scenes from life in the cotton-picking season, and panels with representations of an overflowing basket of the fleecy staple, a ship loaded with cotton, and a Mississippi River steamboat "baled" all over. The painting on twenty piers is emblematic of the manu- factured cotton in its several stages, and on the west wall is an arrangement of State seals, those of Mis- souri, Tennessee, Arkansas, Texas, and Mississippi. The building is supplied with reading-rooms, electric clocks, bells, elevators, telegraph-offices, telephones, and other modern conveniences and business necessi- ties. Upon the occasion of the dedication of the new building, May 4, 1882, speeches were made by pres- ent and past officers, and by ex-Governor Hubbard, of Texas, ex-Governor Stanard, of Missouri, and others. A silver service was presented to Vice-President Black, a collation was served, and a promenade concert was given in the evening.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.