Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-01-09
LIGHTING THE SAVANNAH
THE TITLES To BUT FOUR OFT
OF TEN SITES APPROVED.

Both of the Others on the Georgia side
Virtually Secured-The Price Asked bv
South Carolina Owners Refused ana
Condemnation Proceedings Concluded
and the Titles Being Perfected.
| WASHINGTON. Jan. S.-Representatfye
Blount called upon the officers of the
Lighthouse Board the other dav TO in.
quire about the lights for the Savannah
river. He to-day received the following
letter and accompanying documents:
SIR-ln compliance with your verbal request
l. have the honor to enclose copy of letter from
the District Engineer, dated October Sth. lSss.
relative to savannah river light and tabular
statement showing when the titles were ap-
proved. If any further information is de-
sired, would be pleased to furnish it. Very
respectfully, ID. .. HEAP,
Engineer Secretary.
The following is the letter of the Dis
trict Engineer:
OFFICE OF LIGHTHOUSE ENGINEER,
SIXTH DISTRICT
BALTIMORE. ND Oct 8 ISSs
SIR reply to the boards letter of the 9Th
inst. requesting information rs TO the earliest
uate when II viii he possible to establish a
light upon each Of the locations of the Savon
nah River Range Lights, Georgia, / have the
honor to submit the following report as TO the
status Of each site:
There were originally required, for these
lights, twelve sites. The two for the Bloody
Point Range have been purchased and me
lights established
OF the ten remaining sites six are situated
IN Georgla, namely: two on Long Island two
on Elba Island, and two near Fort jackson:
ana iOuf are situated on the Carolina side OF
the rlver-namely: three on Jones Island (,e-
longing 10 the same person., and one higher
up Inc river, opposite the upper end OF Elba
The two Long Island sites were conveyed 10
me United States by the State of Georgia
Athe tltle TO the island being in the State), on
the 2Sth Of January, 1882.
Ihe two Elba Island sites have been con-
Ieyed to the United States by deed approved
by the Attorney General Of the United
states, ana Georgia has ceded Jurisdiction
The two Fort jackson sites have been con-
veyed to the United States by a deed and
title approved by the United States Attorney
Tor the Southern District of GEORGIA and the
deeds with his opinion have been forwarded
TO the Attorney General of the United States
Tor his approval. When this is given and
jurisdiction ceded by Georgia the United
sites.
rne owners Of the sites in South Carolina
not Deing willing 10 accept reasonable prices
Tor their land, the Lighthouse Board on Oc-
tober 81, 1881, authorized the engineer OF the
sixth district to obtain possession of the site
opposite the upper end OF Eiba Island by pro-
ceedings in condemnation under the laws of
the State of South Carolina, and on the 9th of
November, 1881, authorized the same proceed
lngs against the owner of the three sites on
UOuCS A5idiii - THESE proceedings luFtes.
with the United States District Attorney for
South Carolina, visited the four sites on the
10Th OF last May, and assessed the values Of
the same, acting by order OF the proper court.
Since that date the United States Attorney
has been engaged in periecting the titles 10
the four sites (Which have exactly the same
status). and he reports that about the 10th
inst. he will have the title papers in such
shape that, after their approval by the At
tOrney General of the United States. the
lighthouse establishment, upon the payment
OF the assessed values and the proper ex-
penses OF the proceedings in condemnation
VIII be able to enter into possession of all four
sites. The assessments and expenses he estf-
mates at something less than 81, 900.
From the foregoing 1t viii be seen that title
TO but four Of the ten sites has been approved
by the Attorney General of the United States.
III Is not necessary for me to invite the at
tention Of the board to the section OF the Re
vised Statutes and paragraph OF the rules and
regulations OF the board prohibiting the ex-
pendlture OF money on any site until iursdic-
ton has been ceded and the title approved by
the Attorney General of the United States
Nothing has been left undone in this Office to
hasten the acquisition of the titles.
DO not think il advisable to commence the
erection at the sites until all are obtained. az
the erection at diferenc times viii be attended
with much additional expense.
The iron work for the beacons is stored at
The question Of lights to be used Is now be-
fore the board.
AS soon as the titles are all approved the
work Of erection will be commenced When
this will be | am unable TO say.
am. sir, very respectfully, your obedient
servant,
lSignedl O.E. BABCocK.
Maj. Engs., l.. II. Engr
Chairman Lighthouse Bodrd.
The tabular statement is as follows:
SAVANNAH RIVER LIGHTS s-APPRoPRIAT1oN
MARCH 3, 1881, $50 900.