Construction continued on the White Block in 1900 and the newspaper editor continued expressing his opinion.
The Sentinel expressed on October 10 that a mistake was made in the construction. “That big square brick column at the front entrance of the White block now in the course of erection, is pronounced to be poor architecture by local judges. It cuts down the width of the entrance and almost hides the doorway. A mistake was made in that part of the plan. A round column of steel or granite, much smaller, or a round corner, would have been better.”
Two car loads of “boilers and radiation” were being unloaded on November 6 by L. W. Wilson and E. L. Edelman, who were filling in for heating contractor, E. J. Manning, who was ill. At that time work was being pushed on this building as well as the Monroe House. Workers at both buildings were working on Sundays so they could get the walls up and roofs on before winter.
William McGee, of Janesville, boss carpenter for David Stewart dropped dead at 3:10 p.m. on November 13. He was bending over to fasten the tackle to a piece of heavy iron truss so that it could be pulled to the top of the building when he fell. The 35-year-old was picked up and carried into Burke’s saloon, but was dead when Dr. S. R. Moyer arrived. The doctor felt McGee might have had a brain hemorrhage and was probably already dead before he fell.
The new safety deposit boxes for Citizens Bank arrived on December 17. The boxes from the old building on the south side of the square were traded in, expecting that the new bank would be ready. The bank had the best safe in the country so a new vault was all that was necessary when the bank was moved to the new building.
The December 26 Sentinel shared, “The new White building looms up to the extent that it makes the other buildings around the public square looked [sic] dwarfed and squatty. Not many towns of Monroe’s size can boast of as fine a business block as the White Block will present when the building is finished. Considering the fact that Monroe increases very slowly in population, it is a matter for congratulation that we can boast of so many fine new business blocks and residences. Monroe is getting to be a decidedly well ‘put up’ town.”
Work on the block was still being pushed on January 5. Every day after December 26 until it was completed was costing the contractor $10. A lady passing by the White Block on the morning of January 7 was struck on the head by a piece of roofing that dropped from the roof. Nothing more was reported, so she probably wasn’t hurt too badly. By January 9 the roof was progressing finely, expecting to be practically completed within another week. It was of ribbed or fluted steel plate, so matched as to be impervious to rain or snow but still permit circulation between the plates and sheeting. The lathers were to start work on Monday, January 21 followed by the plasterers.
According to the February 14 Sentinel, the Masons were to occupy the entire top floor and were directing every detail of the arrangement. In addition to the main hall, it was divided into rooms for a ladies parlor, a smoking room, chapter room, banquet hall, kitchen, anti-room [sic], preparation room, wardrobe, toilet, and closets. The main hall was furnished in white with 16 iconic pillars about the walls with [frieze] and cornice at the top to give the pillars the effect of supporting the ceiling. Numerous electric lights were concealed behind the cornice to throw the light to the ceiling and then reflect it to the floor. Above the west end of the hall was a gallery that would have a seating capacity of nearly 100. Architect Conover believed the hall had no equal in the state. The floors were of hard wood and the lodge expected to sell their furniture and finish the new hall in oak.
The vault for the bank had arrived from Moser Safe Co. in Ohio by March 7. An expert arrived that evening and completed the work within a week.
On April 17 the Sentinel reported, “The White Block was stripped of its rough frame dressing today and its full beauty is now revealed. It is the best looking building in this city.” The tile men went to work in the bank quarters on April 29. It was expected they would be doing business there on June 1. Their new vault was also considered one of the best in the state.
A car load of new bank furniture arrived at the Milwaukee depot before May 6 and would be placed in the bank as soon as possible. It was all solid mahogany on a marble base. The door, wainscoting, and the counter were all of solid mahogany, also on a marble base. The tiling was complete and needed to dry thoroughly before moving the furniture in.
Frank Gerber climbed the flag staff in the forenoon of May 10 and placed a gold leaf ball on the point. He painted the pole as he came down while a large crowd of spectators on the street observed him. The pole was 20 feet long and 125 feet from its tip to the ground.
Caradine must have felt he had everything completed by May 23 as he asked for all bills at that time. All accounts were to be filed with H. N. B. Caradine on or before June 1 so payment could be made. Nothing was ever printed stating how much he had to pay for not having the building completed by December 26.
The final column about the erection of this building will appear next week with more information about the first tenants who moved into it.
— Matt Figi is a Monroe resident and a local historian. His column will appear periodically on Saturdays in the Times. He can be reached at mfigi48@tds.net or at 608-325-6503.
