Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-01-17
VOL. 3.----N0. l3.

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ments, said
'One thousand dollars an acre.
Both the men shook their heads in ;
very positive way. Smith said that i
was the lowest he would take; and so thu
conference ended. re t.s.a.s.
At the next meeting of the City Coun.
ellis. report on the town lot was made
and the extraordinary demand of Smith
canvassed. 1t was unanimously decided
not to make the proposed purchase.
When the decision reached the land
holder, he was considerably disappoited
He wanted money badly, aud would
have jumped at two thousand dollars
for the five acre lot, if satisfied that il
would bring no more. But, when the
city came forward purchaser, his Gu.
pidity was subjected 10 very strong
temptation. He believed that he could
get five thousand dollars as easily as
two; and quieted his conscience by the
salvo-'An article is always worth what
it will bring
( A week or two went by. and Smith
was about calling upon one of the mem
bers of The Council, to say, that, if the
city really wanted the lot he would sci
at their price, leaving it with the Coun.
ell to act justly and generously, when q
friend said to him T.. a.
Il hear that that the council had the
subject of Il public square under consid
Grafton again this morning.
'lndeed?' Smith was visibly excited
though he tried to appear calm.
Yes; and also hear that they have
decided to pay the extravagant price you
asked for lot of ground at the norlt
end OF the city, Es
"A thousand dollars an acre''
yes .- ...s #.. .. ...
'Its real value, and not cent more,
said Smith. ... .... 81. ......
People differ about that. However
you are lucky the friend replied. 'The
city is is able to pay
so think. And | mean they shall
pay
Before the committee to whom the
matter was given in charge had time tc
call upon Smith and close with him fol
the lot the gentleman had concluded in
his own mind that it would be just as
easy to get twelve hundred dollars al
acre as thousand. 1t was plain tha,
the Council were bent upon having the
ground, and would pay a round sum for
1t. Ii was just the spot Tor public
square; and the city must become the
owner. So, when he was called upon
by the gehtlemen, and they said to him
The offer is no longer open. You
declined it when it was made. Ny
price for that property is now twelve
hundred dollars an acre. 1.s -.........
ia The men offered remonstrance; but i
was of no avail. Smith believed thai
he could get six thousand dollars for the
ground as easily as five thousand. The
city must have the lot and would pay al
most any price. H m ....
hardly think it right, Mr.. Smith,
said one of his visitors, 'ior you to take
such an advantage. This square is fol
the puolic good.' " a-sa s.. .a.
Let the public pay them was the un.
hesitaIing answer. The public is able
enough e.. ... -.s-0 0t.E .su.. d
The location of this park at the north
end Oh the city will! greatly improve the
value of your other property. asu
This Smith understood very WE'LL
But he replied aa..
'Pm not sure of that. / have some
very strong doubts on the subject. III
my opinion, that the buildings contem,
plated erecting will be far more to my
advantage. Be it as it may, however,
am decided in selling for nothing less
than six thousand dollars
I'VE are only authorized to pay five
thousand replied the committee. III
you agree to take that sum, we will close
the bargain on the spot
Five thousand dollars was large sum
of money, and Smith felt strongly temp,
ted TO close in with the liberal Offer.
But, six thousand loomed up before his
imaginations still more temp,ingly.
Il can geiit, said he to himself; 'and
the property is worth what it will bring.
So he positively declined 10 sell it al
a thousand dollars per acre.
'Attwelve hundred you will sell!' re.
marked one of the committee as they
were about retiring. @
Yes. ! will take twelve hundred
the acre. That is the lowest rate, and
| am not anxious even at that price. !
can do quite as well'by keeping it in my
own possession. But, as you seem so
bent on having it, l will not stand in
your way. When will the council NEE,
again!
Not until next week.
very well. If they then accept my
offer, all will be right. But, understand
me; if they do not accept, the offer no
longer remains open. .r...., ,Hs..
'It is matter of no moment TO me
which way the thing goes t.
1t was a matter of moment to Smith,
for all this assertion--a matter OF very
great moment. He had several thous-
and dollars TO pay in the course of the
next few months on land purchases, and
no way to meet the payments except by
mortgages. or sales Of property; and. i
may be naturally concluded that he suf-