, 1880-10-10
THE SOUTH PARKS.


Reply Of Ex.Comnaisstonef Morgan to
the fsfll Filed Against Him.
Mr. Jamcs Morgan yesterday fled his answer
to the bill of the South Park Commissioners, 8
full report Of which was published In TIE TRID'
pNE about month ago. After admitting and
denying various allegations in the bill. MIR
Murgnn stated that shortly after the organiza-
tion Of the Park Board the Commissioners en-
deavored to purchase the south half Of frac-
t1onal Sec. 13 IS, Il, and, after sone negotia-
lions. they did take possession OF the land IN
August, 1870. Three months later William P.
Kerr filed bill of complaint in the United
States Court, claiming that tho title to the most
OF the property vested IN him. The title to tho
properly has been In litigation eyer since :
In Oct,ber, 1878, decree was entered up In the
United States Court ordering theT'ark Eommt5-
sioners to pay William 2. Kerr ct al. the. value
ls7n at the rate OF per cent,-the value Of the
property to be determined BY q special 5ury.
The Commissioners appealed to the Supreme
Court, and Kerr did likewise.
After the rendering OF tho decree an attempt
was made to patch up compromise between
the Commissioners and Kerr by which the prop
terms r ] satisfacrors s to the Board Prior to Nov
2l. 1870, an understanding was arrived ar and re-
duced TO writing. in the form Of IN agreeu,cnt,
casn K the meeting Of me Boaf
Nov. Il. 1878, action on the 4greement was post
poned at the request ct Commissioner Price.
fact that the National Bank OF Illinois held GER
ratn notes secured upon Il portion OF said prop
erty. and these 1t would be necessary to take
up in order to prevent complications In the
title. 1t WIS the Understanding that the secur-
ties should be taken up from the bank. anu TINT
the remainder Of snid $4,000 should be used in
maklnx the Commission secure in the advance
Of the mouey, in such manner as Mr. Morgan
then President of the Board, thought proper
Nov, 20 1879 a warrant for $821fm was given to
the National Bank Of Illinois. andlrhe trust-decd
and all the notes, excopE one for $1raD, were
taken up.
Ia February, 1850. the warrant for $5.a10 WAS
etyeu to Kerr's agent, Mr. Morgan taking the
ioteof Llewellrn Curry fur the same amount, and
the declaration Of trust made By Fred A. Ingalls,
These securities were taken up and to be held
br the Commissioners Until the formal adoption
Of the agreement referred to, when the sasne
should be canceIed. thus clearing what had been
known as the ~ Dpbbins rttle' from the incum-
brances referred to. The understanding also
provided that, In case the Board failed to
adopt the agreement. the $4,000 ad~
yapced should be credited to the Pa1k
Commissioners, with interest at 8 per cent
Mr. Morgan further said that the Commissioners
we're perfectly secured. rs there were pledged
to them the Kerr interest, the entire interest
formerly held by Mary e. 0obbins, and shatever
Interest Has held by the estate OF Thomas G.
The negotiations with Kerr's agent was main
II conducted by Commissioners John r. Walsh,
jonu B. Sherman. and James Morgun, and moth
Ing was done by Morgan except what WAS ID.
tended 10, and ali the Commissioners coucn1Ted
in what had been done