From the New York Times, 2/26/1888

LIBBY PRISON SOLD.

THE OLD BUILDING TO BE REMOVED TO CHICAGO.

RICHMOND, Va., Feb. 25. – Libby Prison is sold. Mr. W. H. Gray, the venturesome spirit who is to be its new possessor, to-day deposited with Rawlings & Rose, real estate agents here, who represent the owners of the property, $5,825, the amount of the first payment. The deeds have been drawn up and signed, and unless something occurs are to be passed over to the purchaser on Monday. Possession of a portion of the building is to be given June 1 and the balance July 1. Speaking of the sentiment of the people here regarding the removal of Libby to Chicago Mr. Gray said to THE TIME’S correspondent:

“Since my arrival here Thursday night I have talked to dozens of people who were introduced as ex-Confederate officers. Not one of these offered the slightest objection to carrying out the scheme. The most satisfactory interview I have had on the subject,” continued Mr. Gray, “was with Col. W. H. Carrington, the Mayor of the city. He assured me that there would not be the slightest trouble about removing the material of the building from the city. The Colonel said the honor of the city was at stake in this matter, and as the Chief Executive he gave me to understand there was not only no disposition upon the part of the people to interfere in the removal of this relic from their midst, but in the remote possibility of such an attempt being made he would see that the property is protected.”

Mr. Gray added that Mayor Carrington intimated that the erection of Libby in Chicago might even do the South good by showing that this building is not nearly such a bad looking place as it had been painted. It is very likely that Gray left Chicago under the impression that it was doubtful whether he could remove Libby if he purchased it.

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