The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1880-10-28
Purchase OF the Oak Dale Park Property.


One Of the propositions to he voted
upon next Tuesday is whether We
shall authorize by our votes the County
Commissioners To purchase AN eligible
tract of land to he used for holding
Agricultural fairs. At present We
have no fair grounds and there is
scarcely u county in the State Of the
size Of Saline which is not only pro-
vided with such grounds but has them
improved in good style. We have u
natural park just outside Of the city
limits which is celebrated throughout
the State As one of the best, il not the
best of the parks in the State. 1t is
not necessary to detail here the very
valuable improvements, which have
been made there in the way Of build
ings. fences, sheds. trOtting course and
other contrivances which are so expen-
sivc and hard To be obtained upon fair
grounds generally. These were all
put there ut much greater expense
than the price the county will have to
pay provided il becomes the purchaser
1t is this beautiful tract that the Conn
missioners desire to purchase. We
believe nearly every voter is in favor
of holding annual fairs. We believe
that they are also i'm favor of the pur-
chase of ground for this purpose. I To
purchase unimproved land and put
the necessary buildings, fences, sheds,
trees and other things 30 much needed
upon them, would cost the county and
those interested i'm fairs very much
more than Oak Dale Park will cost us
and even then the location and ma
tural advantages would not be nearly
equal to those possessed by the latter
Now TO give general idea of the pro-
position which has been made by the
owners of Oak Dale Park and the views
of the Commissioners, We publish here
an address prepared by our honorable
board which is full Of sense and will
commend itself to every taxpayer:
/ To the voters OF Saline County
At the earnest solicitatiOa Of many
of the leading Taxpayers Of the cOun-
| ty, the Board Of County Commission
ers have decided to submit TO the
qualified voters Of Saline county, the
proposition Of purchasing what Is
known as the Oak Dale Park, by the
| county AT the coming election to be
held November ,, lSS0, lin trust) for
| the Use and benefit of Fair Associa-
ton, to he gotten up by the farmers
and all concerned in the formation of
a Co-Agricultural Society, due notice
| having been given in the Sherift-s
proclamation according to law. In
order that all taxpayers may vote in
diligently on the proposition, il has
| been deemed advisable to lay before
the public the plain facts a. regards
said purchase, which are ~ follows
First-No bonds are to he issued by
the county for the purchase Of said
park.
Second-The amount 10 he paid for
said park, together with all buildings
and improvements thereon-except
about slU worth of personal property
held by private parties now ON the
grounds $5.;Al IL
Third-The Si.s1S, Indebtedness of
John Gels & Co, to the county, is 10 be
turned as part payment for said mark
and the balance in cash to be paid by
the county In ISL.
Fourth-The park contains about n
acres, the title is perfect, and the cost
of said park and Improvements to the
present owners was Over$s OO
Fifth-A contract now ON file in the
office Of the County Clerk, from Mr..
c. E Faulkner. Assignee for John
Gels, VIM. r. Gels and John Gels 4
| Co, has been entered into, said As.
| signee agreeing To execute to the
county clear deed, according to the
terms above agreed upon, In the even,
Of the proposition being ratified.
The above are the main facts IN the
case, and il h now tbs puvpule 70 de
termine whether or not the Commits
sioners shall make the proposed pur.
chase. The Commissioners are Of the
opinion that they have the right under
the law to make said purchase, with.
out vote being taken; yet they an
unwilling TO act in 50 important q
matter on their own responsibility
without first having . fair expression
Of the Taxpayers on the subject. II b
therefore hoped that all voters will
take the matter under serious con-
sideration, and with the above facts
before them, TO decide the matter n
the polls. - will be for the best in
terests Of the county.
Respectfully submitted by osxler ol
Board Of County Commissioners,
Saline county. Also ordered the
County Clerk be instfu0Ged 20 fnFuish
copy Ct this communication 70 eocll
Of the papers for publication In Saline
county.