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Story
December 26, 1899
The Sun
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
In 1899, the U.S. government selected and purchased a Salt Lake City site from Walker Bros. for a nominal $1, rejecting a free offer from the Mormon Church. Secretary Gage paid with an ornate box containing the dollar and a commendatory letter.
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GOVERNMENT PAID THE DOLLAR.
Sending It to Salt Lake City in a Box Made of Rare Woods.
From the Chicago Record.
When the committee of Treasury officials went out to select a location for a Government building at Salt Lake City they were offered two sites, one of them by the Mormon Church, opposite the Temple, free of cost, and the other by Walker Bros., nearer the centre of the town, for the consideration of $1. The latter was selected, the deeds were made out, signed and recorded, and the property has belonged to the Government ever since Aug. 1 last. Several days ago Secretary Gage received a letter from Walker Bros., 'dunning him for the dollar which was set down as the consideration in the deed. They said they had sold the land at a reasonable price, and expected the Government to keep its agreement and pay them the $1 in cash.
Secretary Gage had the cabinet-maker in the Treasury Department make a box of rare woods inlaid, lined it with velvet, and in the lid placed the following letter, written by the best penman in the department:
"GENTLEMEN:
In full payment for a certain lot of land in the city of Salt Lake, conveyed by you to the United States August 1, 1899, I hand you this, the price stipulated as a nominal consideration therefor, to wit, one dollar ($1). It is to be hoped that the Federal building to be erected upon the authority granted by the last Congress and approved March 2, 1899, will nobly represent the dignity of our Government. It is certain that the titles of transfer will always remain a tribute to your liberal public spirit."
Upon the top of the lid of the box, inlaid, are these words in Latin:
'Non sibi, sed omnibus,'
which mean "Not for self, but for all."
Sending It to Salt Lake City in a Box Made of Rare Woods.
From the Chicago Record.
When the committee of Treasury officials went out to select a location for a Government building at Salt Lake City they were offered two sites, one of them by the Mormon Church, opposite the Temple, free of cost, and the other by Walker Bros., nearer the centre of the town, for the consideration of $1. The latter was selected, the deeds were made out, signed and recorded, and the property has belonged to the Government ever since Aug. 1 last. Several days ago Secretary Gage received a letter from Walker Bros., 'dunning him for the dollar which was set down as the consideration in the deed. They said they had sold the land at a reasonable price, and expected the Government to keep its agreement and pay them the $1 in cash.
Secretary Gage had the cabinet-maker in the Treasury Department make a box of rare woods inlaid, lined it with velvet, and in the lid placed the following letter, written by the best penman in the department:
"GENTLEMEN:
In full payment for a certain lot of land in the city of Salt Lake, conveyed by you to the United States August 1, 1899, I hand you this, the price stipulated as a nominal consideration therefor, to wit, one dollar ($1). It is to be hoped that the Federal building to be erected upon the authority granted by the last Congress and approved March 2, 1899, will nobly represent the dignity of our Government. It is certain that the titles of transfer will always remain a tribute to your liberal public spirit."
Upon the top of the lid of the box, inlaid, are these words in Latin:
'Non sibi, sed omnibus,'
which mean "Not for self, but for all."
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Social Manners
What keywords are associated?
Government Building
Salt Lake City
Dollar Payment
Walker Bros
Secretary Gage
Mormon Church
What entities or persons were involved?
Walker Bros.
Secretary Gage
Where did it happen?
Salt Lake City
Story Details
Key Persons
Walker Bros.
Secretary Gage
Location
Salt Lake City
Event Date
August 1, 1899
Story Details
Walker Bros. sold land to the U.S. government for $1 for a building site in Salt Lake City. Secretary Gage paid the dollar in a fancy inlaid box with a letter praising their generosity and public spirit.