Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1886-07-18
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
WHAT THE BUTTERFLIES HAVE TO SAY
PRESIDENT AND MRS. CLEVELAND.
fAs Presidents Business Qualifications Summer
Rssiducs-The FGul-Ths News Article Copy
right-HOw II Has Grown Of ltsslf-Ths
Prolonged Session Of Congress
Public Buildings.
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fpolle Duuulh6S
sOeeio, Correspondence D the Sunday Register.
WASHINGTON, July 17.-People have
begun to talk about the President and his
wife again. Most of the gossip IS turned
towards the Presidents business abilities
in connection with his purchase OF a coun-
try home adjacent to Washington. During
the past week number of gentlemen from
Buffalo, who have known the President
for many years, have been in the city, and
have talked freely about enterprises and
ventures of various kinds entered INTO
by Mr.. Cleveland at his OLD
home. They all say he has
poor business qualifications, and that the
only money he ever made was out OF Office
or in the practice of law. One OF his Old
friends took q drive the other day out to
Pretty Prospect or Forest Hill, late Rose
dale. ON the TennallytOwn road, where the
country seat of the President Is located.
After he had been out there two or three
hours he was encountered by your CORE
spondent and was asked what he Thought
of the Presidents purchase.
SWELL" replied the Buffalonian, 'ifthe
President bought his farm to cultivate he
made a mighty poor investment, but II he
only bought it to look Mt 1t may be that IL
was wise. / understand that he gave 81 :
600 for it, and that there are twenty-slx
acres of land in the plot. One thing Is
sure-the city will not in our lifetime ex-
tend so far out rs the Presidents country
house. and it will never have much intrln-
sic value than at present, so that so Tar as
| the President is concerned he must
depend upon its yielding him an
| income as a farm or pleasure as a resort.
| wouldn't live out there for anything, and
| doubt if the President could hire tenant
TO cultivate the place. The whole farm
would not produce fifty bushels of black
eyed peas. Up in Buffalo l heard that
Grove" had bought an excellent farm and
that he wanted q superintendent. l have
known him for many years, and my prin-
cipal idea in coming here was to secure
that position, but l don't want
it. That land is the poorest
| ever saw. For wOrthlessnesS it beats the
sand banks along Lake Erie. | drove
with the President ont to the place to-day,
and he pointed with considerable pride to
a field of oats which are trying to ripen in
the pelting sun. That poor, red soil showed
up through the thin oats rs plainly as any
background to picture ever did Look
at that crop" said he. There are several
acres there" looked the President hard
in the face when he made this remark,
and inquired if he thought there were
ten bushels in the entire field, and whether
he thought it would produce enough straw
to fill bed tick"
The gentleman stated further that the
party drove around to the entrance to the
place and there found a man with uni
form on and club in his hand. One of
them had an opportunity and interviewed
the officer. He inquired:
"Are you Government employee"
eyes, sir" was the reply.
do you draw salary from the United
States for protecting private property"
"Mr. Cleveland will answer that queS-
ton" said the officer. II am no here to
give out such information, but simply to
keep men out of the place"
The wOuld-be superintendent of the
farm filled up his handkerchief with the
red unprOductive soil and tied it carefully
for the purpose of taking it back with him
to Buffalo.
"And what are You going to do with
that?" asked one of his companions
II intend to exhibit it in Port Hickon
saloon, the Presidents old headquarters,
so that the boys can see what kind of
farmer Grove is"
"What do you really think Of the Presi-
dents investment?' inquired your CORE
spOndent.
'Well," said the Presidents old friend,
''if Grover really paid $21 900 for this bean
farm and that stone barn of house, he is
loon. He never was much OF real
estate speculatOr, however. Come TO think
of it, 1 don't believe he ever bought but
one piece of land before"
us that in his possession now, and what
kind of place is it?'
HE owns 1t yet. 1t is a small lot in
Buffalo, not far from Cold Springs. He
and salOOn-keeper Bapst went to lot
auction, several years ago. Each bid on a
lot, and were the highest bidders. The
lots have greatly increased in value, and
they still own them"
\ few people who purchased land around
the place belonging to the President have
made quite spec" out of their venture.
A short distance from the Presidents place
and towards Washington an old man has
owned farm for half Il century. 1t is
worn out. Its fences are down, the build
ings dilapidated and the sand and gravel
cover the ground almost everywhere.
Twenty years ago it was worth probably
$40, 900, but he has endeavOred with all
his ability to sell it for 5000. A year
ago he was extremely anxious to dispose
of it, A short time after the President
bought his place, and real estate began 10
loom up the old gentleman became excited,
and on the spur of the moment put his
price mp to $50, 900. 1t is an actual fact
fact that within six weeks he had dis
posed of it for $4,000. One of his neigh
bOrs was very elderly lady who owned
small farm of slightly better quality.
She had offered it for sale number of
times for $1,000. One morning about ,
o'clock she was called from her bed by q
real estate agent, soon after the Presidents
purchase, but before it was made known.
The agent said he had found purchaser
for the old lady's house and grounds, and
thought that he could get little rise of
81, 900 for it. With great glee she in
formed her early caller that he could have
all over $1,000 for the place. He
was SO confident that he could
complete the sale that no left
some $500 to close the bargain and took her
receipt for it. Come to my office tO-mOr-
row and will taEO your deed and pay
you the cash for the place, said the agent,
and he departed. 1t was late in the after
noon when the old lady's form darkened
the door of that real estate agents place
of business. A seowl hung about her face.
She was angry.
Here's your old money, you thief"
she exclaimed in great rage. II have