Pioneer history of Ingham County, compiled and arranged by Mrs. Franc L. Adams, secretary of the Ingham County pioneer and historical society.

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PIONEER IIISTORY OFr I(NGII.AM COI:NTY

behind crowded them on until they too had one look, and then it
was a case of devil take the hindermost.
"Then in 1872 the present building was begun. I was very
much interested in it as Willie Appleyard, the superintendent, was
a schoolmate, and was my pass to any part of the job at all times.
The most wonderful thing about the building is the part that
cannot now be seen, the foundation. Especially is this true of the
deep, broad foundations of the rotunda. There is a story below
the basement, and at the bottom of that story the foundation of
solid masonry is broad enough so that the biggest trucks that
travels our streets could be driven round and round on it. The
steel framework of the dome before it was covered was a beautiful
sight.
"The tops of the rib work before the frame of the lantern was
erected were riveted to a broad circle of steel. One noon some of
us from the school climbed up there and were chasing one
another around on that circle to the horror of the people on the
ground, who were afraid to call us down for fear we would get
scared and fall.
"But when the first bell rang we hurried down in safety. And
when my father heard about it, take it from me, he handed me
what was coming to me. It is hard to realize the height of the
dome as you see it from the ground. If the steeple of the Congregational church were standing out away from the church the dome
of the Capitol might be sliced off close to the roof and set right
over the steeple without touching it anywhere. I haven't tried
it myself, but I had it straight from X- Y- (Prof. Carpenter),
when I took engineering under him at M. A. C. in 1876.
"That other story, of more interest to the girls, will come some
other time."-State Journal, 1916.