From the New York Times, 2/25/1888

LIBBY PRISON TO BE TORN DOWN.

RICHMOND, Va., Feb. 24. – Mr. W. H. Gray, with a Washington architect, made a thorough examination of Libby Prison and found that the building can be torn down and removed to Chicago for much less than they had allowed. Mr. Gray said to-night that he would close the matter tomorrow. Speaking of the ground upon which the building stands, which is included in the sale, Mr. Gray says that rather than sell it at a sacrifice he will give it to the Federal Government upon the condition that Congress will erect upon it a substantial monument to mark the spot where so many thousand Federal soldiers were confined during the war. The projector of the scheme thinks the Government ought to appropriate $75,000 for this object.