Almost anyone who has undertaken a building or remodeling project appreciates that problems and cost overruns will come up along the way, but almost no one can fathom the problems, delays and extra expense involved in building Nebraska’s first state capitol in Lincoln.
No sooner than the Capital Commission had chosen the village of Lancaster as Nebraska’s capital in the summer of 1867 and changed its name to Lincoln, problems arose. Advertisements were placed in newspapers in Omaha, Plattsmouth and Nebraska City for an architect and later a contractor, but it became immediately obvious when no one applied that architects and contractors were already too busy or just ignored the request.
A subsequent ad in the Chicago Tribune brought only one architect’s plan for a building not to exceed $40,000 in cost. James Morris, an Englishman, was called a “fifth rate architect … who could obtain no work in that city,†but being the only applicant, his plan was accepted.
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Joseph Ward, also an Englishman living in Chicago, was likewise the only applicant for contractor. When his bid was accepted, the contract called for a $49,000 building. His actual contract was not to be executed until November 1868, but because the Commission was eager to have the building completed and ready for the legislative session which would convene on the first Thursday of 1869, Ward immediately hired 13 Chicago stonemasons, as none were available in Nebraska.
Ward paid their fare to Omaha, but they then had to re-cross the river, take a train in Iowa to a point opposite Nebraska City, ferry back to Nebraska, then hire a wagon for their tools while they walked to Lincoln, stopping near Unadilla for one night on the way. In Lincoln they stopped at the Pioneer House Hotel and learned there was no stone on hand, hence no work. Three days later Ward finally arrived and told them the state would pay them the promised $4.50 per day -- work or no work.
Sandstone was quarried at various points within Lancaster County†but no prescribed limestone facing proved available, so stone quarried at Holmesville was substituted. This meant shipping stone over 40 miles, which the editor of the Omaha Republican said was “positively ugly … fatally lacking in strength.†When teamsters hired to move the stone to Lincoln refused to cross a Salt Creek bridge which they felt was unsafe, Ward had to rebuild it as well as some roads -- another unforeseen expense.
Much of the lumber for the capitol was supplied by Valentine Brothers, located on the southeast corner of 11th and N streets, and by Monell & Larkey, whose yard was on the northwest corner of 11th and O. So much lumber was needed it had to be imported, mostly from Iowa, crossing the Missouri River 6 miles above Nebraska City. Teams of farmers and freighters hauled loads of goods to the river, and returned to Lincoln loaded with wood in caravans or lumber trains.
A dispute between Morris and Ward raged, reaching a head about June 1, which resulted in some of the stonecutters returning to Chicago and Ward threatening to quit the project entirely. The disagreement boiled down to whether the interior walls should be of brick or stone. The architect, who was pushing to be named both architect and contractor, insisted brick was specified, but the contract clearly stipulated “if brick could be had, otherwise stone.†There being no brickyards in Lincoln a handshake ensued and work continued.
Next, Ward asked for payment for his stonemasons and to buy doors and sash. There being no money at hand in the treasury, money was ultimately “advanced†from a sinking fund pending more lot sales. The $2,600 check then had to be cashed by a bank officer after the First National Bank of Omaha had closed for the day so Ward could catch the Chicago train from Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Funds again ran short a few weeks later, and Sweet & Brock Bank in Lincoln would not bend having already advanced $2,000 to Ward. Ultimately, Otoe County’s treasurer came to the rescue.
By August 1868, the walls were mostly completed, and the following month a portion of the roof had been installed. On Dec. 3, 1868, the governor announced the hall of representatives, senate chamber, library and vestibule had been completed and the capitol would indeed be ready for the 1869 legislature.
The ultimate cost of the building, not to exceed $40,000, was $75,817.59.
Ward went on to build the extant Kennard House, Gov. David Butler’s house and the State Lunatic Asylum, though he also figured heavily in Butler’s later impeachment and removal from office. Morris seemingly simply disappeared.
The capitol and asylum were both short-lived and had structural problems, at least in some small measure credited to the material and construction decencies. The current capitol, completed in 1932, was considered to be one of the 10 best built buildings in the world when it was completed.
Historian Jim McKee, who still writes with a fountain pen, invites comments or questions. Write to him in care of the Journal Star or at jim@leebooksellers.com.