The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1881-06-22
CREAM OF THE SPECIALS.
The Largest Real Estate Transfer oi
Record.

Record.
A Philadelphia dispatch to the Cincinnati Com
mereial, Of the 18th, says:
What Is claimed TO be the largest purchase of
land ever made by a single individual in the
world occurred to-day, when Hamilton Disston, a
prominent manufacturer of this city. closed a
contract by which ne secured 100000 acres of
land from the State of Florida. This huge trans
action has benin negotiation for some months,
and its success was owing to some very shrewd
tactics on the part OF the agents of Mr.. DiSStOn
The land aequired-a tract nearly as large as the
State of New Jersey, was a part of the public do
main of the State Of Florida, and the control of
the Board of Internal improvement OF the State.
Owing TO the recent improved value of the land
of Florida. this property has been anxiouSly
looked after by capitalists of New York and Bos-
ton. For years, through agents, these gentlemen
have endeavored 10 purchase the land. The
State had no disposition TO sell until recently.
when II became necessary 10 do so 10 re,leve the
State from certain obligations which had become
burdensome. When these facts became known
there were renewed efforts on the part OF the New
York people, who were backed by a wen.known
German banking house of that CITY, and the syn
dictate Of london, headed by ex-United States
Minister to Belgium Sanford, and the Boston cap
i~talists, TO buy the land. Meantime Mr.. Disston
had become well acquainted with the value of the
land through his already large interests In the
State, from his connection with the Everglades
scheme. He entered the field and set TO work
with energy. keeping in the background, as he
usually does in his large projects. He put TO
work agents in Boston, Philadelphia, New York
and Tallahassee, in whom he had full confidence,
and suggested the plans which have been so sue
cessfuL The other parties have left no stone un-
turned to get possession of the property, but they
were ouigeneraled at every point by Mr.. Disston's
lieutenaRts. The fight was a most interesting
one. as many as four agents of the New York Syn
dictate being kept in Florida, New York and this
city
DurhSg the recent yist of Governor Bloxham tc
Philaeelphia the details of the purchase were a.
ranged, the Governor having full power TO act for
the Beard OF Internal improvement, Of which he
is President. But sill the unsuccessful parties
were unwilling TO gire up the prize. and during
the present week used strenuous efforts TO defeat
Mr.. UsstOn, visiting Tallahassee with a very large
sum of money for that purpose. TAe contract,
however, has been Hnlly executed, ana the young
Philadelphia manufacturer isnow the poSsessor
of the largest landad dOmain.in the world
The tract is situated north. OF Lake Okeeenobee.
and is nearly al below the frost line. The
amount paid for the land has not been made pub
lie. but IL is understood to De a very large sum in
I cish. IL Is Mr. DiSston's intention to at once
begin an emigration schexie which will result in
q very large adGzton to the population OF Florida
| To this end he aas already established agencies III
several parts of this couatry, and VIII al once OF
ganize emigrssion bureaux in Ensland, Scotland,
France, Germany, Holland and Italy Competent
agents will be stationed in their proper cities ~
these counties to induce immigration, and wal
convey the emigrantS direct 70 Florida IN steAEa
es chartered for the purpose
The lands in question areyery r1ch. having eeel
selected from among the most valuable IN tn
State. Rice, sugar., jute, indigo, cotton, tobacco
and an tropical and semitropical fruits can b
raised on them With very little expense aud II
greA7 DrOfusiOn.