Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-12-07
Spirit Of geferson
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
Sale Of Harper's Ferry Property.

expected saleof the valuable government prop
erty at Harper's Ferry with much interest,
and we are glad to chronicle that the same
has occurred with the most gratifying result.
In this connection it may not be out of place
to mention, that as long since as 1874, this
spot was selected by Washington as a site for a
National Armory, and Congress petitioned
and the Legislature of Virginia granted per-
mission, to purchase land not exceeding in
extent $40 acres. The first purchase under
this grant was from the heirs of Robert
Harper, he having died in 1882, leaving his
property to John Wager, Sr., the heir Of
his neice Sarah. Hence, the lineaI descen-
dants of the latter still retain much Of the
eligible and valuable property at that point,
the sale and distribution of which is SO cs-
sential to the further progress and improve
ment of the-towu.== Another purchase of BIO
acres was made by the government from Mr..
Rutherford, and lease obtained i'll perpctuity
from Lord Fairfax, ceding ''the right to all
the timber growing and to grow on track Of
1895 acres on the Loudoun Heights mmedi-
ately adjoining ITarpcr's Ferry" In 1876
Mr.. Perkins received the first appointments
Superintendent, which he held until 1910
when he was succeeded by Col. Stubblefeld.
Under the successive administrations that fol-
lowed, the original purchase became changed
hy sale and otherwise, until but a moety Of
the first grants remained. This, however, by
the liberal expenditure of government. and
the enterprise Of tie PEOPLE, was rendered
vastly more valuable and attractive than it
had ever been otherwise, until Tie fate of war
visited desoat:on and destruction in its wake.
For years, the village has presented but
crumbling monument Of its former self, but
like cities Of mere rcnown in antiquity than
it aspires to equal, it is in fair way to regain
its former position, lcngthen its chords and
widen its sails, and we most heartily cOngrat-
ulate its people and bid them be Of good cheer!
The sale on Tuesday last, was attended by
parties from various sections of the country,
and some of the largest manufacturing in
terests, with that mammoth corporation, the
BALTIC & Ohio Il. r., had representatives in
attendance. s. Howell Brofn, Esq, f'y sur
veg. plat. Sc had admirably arranged the
large amount OF property TO be offered, and
under tia direction Of Capt. ! Dung # the Ord
nance Office. j. d. iotteiiicil, nuctioucer.
and \. u Eizn,I!er, clerk, the sale RAPIDLY
rrogressed--;hc whole beng disposed Of by
Thursday noon. The bidding in many H.
stances was quite spirited, and the greatest
anxiety was f,It as to lots No ! and 2 en-
hrac;nE he Mu,ket aud Rife Factories. MIR.
Wilaon, representing the Baltimore railroad
the competing bidder, having gone to
SID eco for the enc and 500 eco for the
other. We coy from the Catalogue tie
descriptive sa@ Of the following, including
blocks \ and g., on Shcuandoal street, and
had expected 10 furnish an entire report 20
the whole. but as there 2+3 Icr~es aud
lois beside those noted, it is beyond cur power
to do so. The first offered was
No. l. The water-power entire Of the roto-
mac River, as held ky the United States, TN
bracimg site Of old aruory buildings, Or mu,ket
factory, iyrness Island aud all that strip of
land and bluff bordering on tile Potomac River,
and lying between said river aud the streets
and lots laid down on map Of 1869. Pur-
chaser, Capt. +. G. Adams. Price, SIG 600
No 2. The water power entire of the Sheu-
auduah River, as held t.y tho United States,
embracing the site of the rifle factory, with all
the arpurtcuances thereto belonging. Pur-
chaser, Capt. L. c. Adams. Price, $50, 900.
No 8. The Shenandoah ferry, with tract
of land containing 693 acres, on the south
side Of the river, and ferry lot on north side.
with front on river Of 243 ect on Tell street.
1913 feet; on Hamilton street, GO! feet and
on Bridge street, S3 feet. Two stone houses,
r,
Price, 81 100.
No i The perpetual right to cut and re-
move wood from a tract of 1858 acres Of
mountain land, lying on the south side of the
shenandoah River, adjoining the ferry tract
Purchaser, Charles King. Price, SO, 600.
No. 5. The right to dig iron ore upon n
tract of 600 acres of land, bordering on the
Potomac River, known as Friends Ore
Bank" acquired from Henry Lee and others
by deed dated Maythe 8th, 1900 Purchaser,
w. c. Bradley. Price, Sl3, 100.
Bioch A, on Shcnanc2oah.-Map, 1852.
No. l. Northeast end of arsenal lot, having
on it the old superintendent Office Fronts
20 feet ] 0 inches on Shenandoah street, with
Wager line, east 1S4 feet to.thc Shenandoah
River; extending across the Winchester aud
Potomac railroad. binding IS feet thereon,
and running with northeast line of lot No. ?
l79 feet. Purchaser, Mrs. Bridget Boerly.
Price, 1925.
Five lots in old arsenal yard, each SO feet
front on Shenandoah street; same width
through, to Shenandoah River, intorsectcd by
an olley at railroad embankmcnt 10 feet in
width l79 feet deep for No. ?, 145 feet deep
for No. G.; other intermediate depths to the
rest, we're purchased respectively, No. 2, by
Capt. c. L. Adams. Price, S1.650. No. 3,
Purchaser, j. N. DccauIne. Price, $500.
No. +, Purchaser. j. NJ. Decauue Price,
$1,000. No 5, Purchaser, Capt. +. G. ADJ
ANS. Price, 5000 No G, Purchaser, NJ.
Walsh. Price S2.025.