th in those specifications.

I told Mr. Taylor and President Francis that the time limit was too
short, and that I would be glad to make a much higher bid if they would
extend the time. They said, "We cannot extend the time one day--the
grounds must be cleared by June 1, 1905."

On the following Monday, November 14, 1904, I went to Mr. Taylor's
office at 10 a.m. I was informed by Mr. Taylor's private secretary that
all bids had been rejected, and that I would be notified if further bids
would be requested. I returned to Chicago that night, and awaited some
advice from the Exposition Company as to what disposition was to be made
of the property, and if new bids would be requested. For fear that
something might happen that I would get slipped up on, and the contract
be given to some one else, I sent my agent, Mr. John M. Dunphy, to St.
Louis, so that he would be on the ground and be in touch with what was
going on, and told him to watch the papers to see if new bids were
requested. Mr. Dunphy was in St. Louis from November 20 to 26,
inclusive, and he informed me that during all this time he was unable to
get any information as to what the Exposition Company was going to do
with the property or whether new bids would be asked for. Mr. Dunphy was
compelled to return to Chicago on the night of November 26. He asked a
friend of his, a Mr. William H. Ranstead, who lives in St. Louis, to
look out for news in regard to the wrecking of the World's Fair
buildings, and if new bids were requested to notify him immediately by
telephone or by telegraph. On November 28 I received a telegram from Mr.
Ranstead, as follows:

ST. Louis, _November 28._
S. KRUG and John Dunphy,
_167 Dearborn street, Chicago, Ill._:

Salvage committee met at 2 p. m. At the adjournment Mr. Taylor
and President Francis called me in and wished me to wire you to
come on first train. Everything looks well. Meet me at the
Lindell Hotel before you go to the grounds. Also wire me in care
Lindell Hotel when you leave.

W.H. RANSTEAD.

This message was received by me at about 8.40 a. m. November 29. Mr.
Dunphy and I took the first train out to St. Louis. We left here at
11.03 a. m. and arrived St. Louis at 6 p. m. November 29. We met Mr.
Ranstead at the hotel and talked matters over. The next day, November
30, Mr. Ranstead, Mr. Dunphy, and myself went to the fair grounds and
called at office of Mr. Stevens, secretary of the E