The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-14
sPECULAToRs LEFT.
A Brooklyn Mans Lucky Land Investment
In Pennsylvania.

In Pennsylvania.
New York Special
wel-known resident of Brooklyn owns 4
tract of wild land in Mexican county Pennsvl3
vania He never did anything with it but paw
taxes with regularity and promptness. He had
tried to sell the tract several times, but no one
seemed anxions to purchase. People told him
that when hemlock bark got scarce out there his
land might be worth 81 an acre. The owner had
almost forgotten that it was in existence, when a
few mornings ago, bright and early, a busting
anu smooth talking gentleman, who said his
name was George G. Howe, of Bradford, Pa :
called at the Brooklyn gents house. The Brad<
ford man excused himself for calling before
breakfast. but said he had to leave town at 9
o'clock, and was compelled to call early.
You're the owner of a tract of land near
Kane, Pa. believe, sir" said the smooth talking
Bradford man. The owner said he believed he
was.
well, SIR" said the man from Bradford, Pm
about building tannery in that vicinity, and
would like to buy or get control of your tract for
the bark that's on it"
The owner of the land told the visitor that he
would be pleased to talk further with him. and
made an appointment TO meet him. The visitor
departed He had been gone but few minutes
when another visitor arrived. This time card
bearing the name of Michael O'Murphy Brad
ford Ia, was handed to the Brooklyn man. Mr.
OMurphy wanted to purchase the tract of land
near Kane. He said it was his intention to have
the land cleared and to erect a seminary on the
tract
An appointment to talk further about the matter
at the owners Office was agreeable to HIM, and
he departed Before the owner Of the land left
his house to come to his business in New York,
two other gentlemen called on him. The first;
was w. G. Kennedy, Of Bradford. He said he
was about to build an extensive steam sawmilli
near the tract and he wanted to buy the land
for its timber The Brooklyn man began to
grow uneasy. but he agreed to meet Mr.. Kenne-
dy In New York, and give him an answer that
day The gentlemen separated, and shortly
afterward Mr. r. r. Armor, of Bradford, APP
peared, and solicited an interview with the owner
buy 1t, for he, too, was about building large
| tannery near the tract. The Brooklyn citizen
said he would meet Mr. Armor at his office, and
Mr. Armor went away. 81 didn't know there
was any bark or any timber on my land" said
the owner of the land when he was alone. 81
must go out there and take look at it,"
He kept his appointments with the different
Bradford men, and told each one that he must
take day or two to consider the matter of sell
ing the land. The next day he jumped on the
Erie railway train. and went out to his land.
When he got there he found regular forest of
oll-well derricks on every side of it. Somebody
had put down well in the vicinity few weeks
before, and had struck the best-paying streak Of
oil that had been found in long time. The
land all around the Brooklyn mans tract had
been perforated with wells wherever one could
be put down, and they were all good. He in
quired who Messrs. Howe, O'Murphy Kennedy
| and Armor were and was told they were quar@
tet of the sharpest ol-operators in the whole re-
gion, and neither of them had known the others
were trying to get the land. The property ia
now being disposed of ct 800 an acre and roy
atty on oil that may be found. All four Of tha
smart oil men got left.