Article Text

Grand Rapids Democrat. Rollers were placed under the main building of the old Campau mansion, on East Fulton street, preparatory to its removal to a less conspicuous location. H. H. Ives, who is now removing the building, hewed and shaped the timbers for the structure on Indian Mill creek, in February, 1838. It was built for E. B. Bostwick. He lived there alone with his wife for nearly ten years, but when the gold excitement broke out in California he sold the property to Louis Campau. Twenty years ago Mrs. W. H. McConnell purchased the property for $7,000, and it was sold with the lot, comprising five acres, to George W. Gay for $22,000. Mr. Ives states that all the timbers are as sound as when put in place forty-five years ago, and that the building would stand for many years yet. During the past few days many persons have visited the old house, particularly to get a view from the cupola and learn the truth of a legend that its walls are papered with bank bills. The room is about 7 by 12 feet and is 10 feet high, and the walls are covered with unsigned bank bills, engraved only on one side, on paper which to-day would not be considered good enough for wall paper, bearing these words: State of Michigan: The People's Bank of Grand River will pay dollars on demand to —, or bearer. Grand Rapids, —, 18--. —, Cashier. —, President. The engravers were Rawdon, Wright & Co., New York. On the $1 bills a cattle scene is depicted, on the $2 bills a celestial chariot, and on the $5 Neptune taking a ride. The bank passed into the hands of a receiver before it had really begun business, as it could not meet the requirements of the law in coin deposits, and Mr. Campau could never recall the bank episode in after years without impatience. The unsigned bills were plastered in his cupola simply that they might be there preserved as a monument of the folly.