The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-11-14
L. the City to be Cheated by a Trick ?

In the DAILY ARGUS of the 7th, atten-
ton was called to the fact that the city
owns 5 feet of ground now within the en-
closures of j. w. Spencer and T. d. Rob-
inson, on the north side Of Seventh avenue
formerly Spencer street, and between
10th and Goth streets formerly Cherry
and Madison) and that the city having or
dered sidewalk to be built there it was
the duty of those 10 authority to cause the
fence on that ground and the south end of
a small building belonging to j. W. Spen-
Ger to be removed aud the walk construct
ed in its rightful and proper place.
Nothing having been done in the prem
ises, reporter for THE ARGUS was, on
Saturday, directed to call on Judge .Spen-
Ger aud hear what he had to say in the
matter. for the'purpose of communicating it
to the people. In pursuance of his instruc-
tons the reporter called at the residence OF
Judge Spencer. He was courteousIy receiy
ed, and after the usual preliminaries, made
known his mission. Most of the talking was
done by Mrs, Spencer. She and her
husband both said they had no recolIee.
ton of ever having decided the land to the
city-but if The ARGUS was correct as to
the deed and;its date it was given one
yearlbefore Spencers Third addition was
plated and accepted by the city; that
when.the plat was made the street was
marked thereon as 55 feet wide, and if
they did deed the land to the city the sub
sequent acceptance of the plat vitiated
the deed, and that the city could not now
have the land without paying for it,
Judge Spencer said his recollection was
not very good, but he remembered that
when Porter Skinner was mayor (which
was in l870-l) he called on him and
claimed that the city owned feet of land
within his enclosure, but that he showed
Mr.. Skinner the plat, as accepted by the city,
and Skinner seemed then to be satisfied
that the city had no claim to the land.
Mrs. Spencer said. rather emphatically,
that she didn't see what object Col. Dan
forth had in bringing the matter before
the public unless it was" and here she
checked herself. but after pause said
she. supposed Mr.. Harper was the only
man Interested in Strengthening the street,
so as to show off his new house." She
said If the city wanted the ground now
the city would have to pay for it.
The only object THE ARGUS has in
bringing the matter before the people is a
public one-to secure to the people their
just rights. THE ARGUS considers that
it is in duty bound to do this. It is a
public journal, devoted to the interests of
the whole city,-not to the interests of
any clique or set of men, or to any par
ticular interest. One of the editors of
THE ARGUS has been a resident of the
city long enough to be, supposed to know
something GIFTS municipal affairs, and also
something about the legitimate duties ofhis
position. In conversation with EMr. q. P.
Dart and ex-alderman j. D. Taylor. and
others, he learned that there was a good
deal of talk among the people about the
jog in that avenue. and that every
property owner along that avenue, and in
fact every man in the city, was interested
in seeing a fine straight avenue there.
Mr. Taylor was an alderman when the
deed was given and when the street was
opened. He remembers that the Spen-
GERS objected to giving a deed because
they would have to cut away a portion oil
their wash house in rear of their resi-
dence, and he says the council would not
open the street lunless the Spencers
woulddeed the land to the city-but would
and did agree that the end Of the wash
house might remain for 5 years. The
Spencers wanted the street opened be
cause it would bring their property into
market and put money in their pockets
and therefore they signed the deed.
The reporter twas also directed to 90 t.
the recorders Office and procure a CODY
of the deed, and here it is:
THE WARRANTY DEED.
| THIs INDENTURE, made and entered into th
| ninth day of March in the year of our Lord One
Thousand Eight Hundred and Sixty-fve between
| John W. Spencer and Eliza Spencer his wife o
the first part and the City of Rock Island of the Sc
cond part, wItnesseth. That the said party of the
first part, for and in consideration of the sum o.
five dollars paid by the said party of the second
part, the receipt of which is hereby acknowedg ed
do by these presents grant. bargain and sell unto
| the said party of the second part certain trac
or parcel of land situated follows, to-wit:
A strip of land siDty (6Ol feet ride
through Out-lOt one hundred and thirteen
to said city, IN the county of Rock Island,
and state Of Illinois, 1t being the ertensiior
of Spencer street through said Outlet, t.
be laid off By the present lines of saio
street projected 1t being the intention
Of this deed to convey said land for stree
purposes only,
Together with all and singular the herditament.
| and appurtanances thereunto belonging or il
anywise appertaining TO have and to hold the sale
premises as above described with the appurtenance
unto the said party of the second part And thu
said party OF the first part for themselves anC
heirs, executors and administrators, do herebl
covenant to and with the said party of the second
part that they well seized of the premises abov
conveyed as OF good and indefeasabe estate in fe
simple and have good right to sell and convey tn,
| m In maj nd off