This Contract made this Seventeenth day of March 1874 between H.W. Hiscock Frank Bateman and John Carpenter of Helena Montana parties of the first part and T.H. Kleinschmidt Treasurer of Helena Fire Department of the same place the party of the second part Witnesseth that said first parties for and in consideration of the sum of One Dollar to them in hand paid by said second party the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged and the further considerations and emoluments herein after expressed hereby agree to build frame erect construct and complete a certain frame Watch Tower for the use of the Fire Department to be situated on the hill adjacent to the Catholic Convent and being on Lot in Block in said town of Helena in accordance with a plan of said Watch Tower hereunto attached and which is hereby made a part of this contract together with such additions and improvements as may be herein specified and provided
That is to say that they will frame 4 Mudsills of 8X10 26 ft long to be on a level and to be well secured and underpinned by two stone abutments. Said Mudsills to be bolted on the four corners thereof by ¾ Inch round iron bolts extending two feet into the ground and there will be secured and set in melted lead and extending two feet up the main posts of the bents and spike thereto with four six inch spikes in each bolt
The four bents to be framed and braced of such lumber to be furnished by said second party and in such a manner as set forth in the plan and in addition to be morticed into the mudsills and a cap 10X10 as in plan to be morticed on the top of said bents and pinned.
An Octagonal house to be erected on top of said bents the studding of which is to be morticed into the 10X10 cap and draw-bored.
The roof of said house to be as in plan and to project six inches over the side of said house and covered with shingles
A flag pole to project fifteen feet above the peak of said roof and to be stayed in a substantial manner.
The house to be boarded on the sides with Dressed & Matched Lumber and the eight corners of the same to be cased or battened.
The Window Sash to be made for 10/14 glass, and to be 7 Pieces 2 lights high and 3 lights wide and one each to be inserted with seven sides of said house not more than three feet from the floor. Also One 6 light 10/14 Sash Door to be put in the remaining eighth side of said house at the head of the stairway.
The Door and Window Sash to be made by said first parties.
The floor to be laid single thickness extending two feet beyond each side of the Octagon and a top floor to be laid inside the Octagon. The extension of two feet outside the Octagon to form a walk around the Octagon with a hand rail to same.
The four corners of the floor to be bolted to the Cap on top of the bents.
The stairway to be made in three sections eight inch riser and eight inch step and to extend from the ground and land on the outside of the balcony at the door in said octagon
A hand rail to extend up the whole length of said stairway
Two cross beams and a floor extending from one bent to the op-posite one to support the Bell and the Bell to be set in place by said first parties six feet below the floor of the Octagon
Said second party reserves the right to make any alterations or amendments to the above provided the same shall not entail any extra work or expense on said first parties.
The said work to be completed in two weeks from the date hereof.
For which work will and truly to be done in a good substantial and workmanlike manner by said first parties said second party having furnished Lumber Nails Iron and Glass for same agrees to pay said first parties One hundred Dollars on the completion of the same and its acceptance by the Board of Fire Wardens of Helena Fire Department.
In witness whereof said parties have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year above written
Hiscock & BatemanSeal
M.Z? Chase? Chief EngineerSeal
TH Kleinschmidt TreasSeal
Helena Fire Department