Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-19
MUM AS AN OYSTER.
Just a hint of the Biggest Real
Estate Dicker of Recent Times.
A SUBURBAN LANDMARK DOOMED.
Local Business Men Favor the Enactment
of National Bankrupt Law.
GEORGIA SOLVING THE COLOR PROBLEM

wide enough yesterday to- say that he or
somebody else had just consummated deal
amounting to probably $500, 900, but he i'm
mediately retired into his she'll, and not a
word of the particulars could be obtained.
The deal presumably relates to the com.
pletion of the sale of 250-acre tract of un-
improved land in an eastern suburb to which
reference was made few days ago.
The Kelly mansion at Wilkinsburg-one of
the most venerable and interesting landmarks
in the village-is doomed to demolition. 1t
stands almost in the center of Hay street. the
opening of which necessitates the destruction
of the old manse. Upon the failure of Mr.
Kelly, about 1878, the house, with several hun
dred acres of land, became the property OF the
National Bank of Commerce. After Mr..
kellys death, in 1881, by an arrangement with
the bank his two daughters acquired the
right to occupy the house SO long as
they lived. As this private agree
ment conficted with the interests of the
borough, it was declared invalid, and
the house condemned. Being constructed OF
boulders gathered along the adjacent creek, its
removal is impossible 1t will. therefore, be
torn down.
The house has an interesting history. Erect
ed in 1885, it is one of the oldest buildings in
the county-lacking but seven years of round
ing out century of existence. The first occu-
pant was Virginia gentleman, who resided in
it for many years. He was planter and grew
large quantities of tobacco, besides cereals, the
work being done by slaves, of whom he owned
about So Some of these died on the place and
were buried there. Mr.. Kelly then became
the owner, and occupied the house up to the
time of his death. Forty or so years ago it was
considered the finest residence in the county,
excluding Pittsburg. The inside finish is ele
giant and elaborate, but shows the effect of age.
1t has been the scene of many social gather
ing, which will be remembered by the survivors
of those who took part in them.
%Rr
On January several acres of land in the pro-
posed borough of Edgewood were laid out in
building lots and put on the market. They
were gobbled up so fast that on Saturday only
three or four of them remained unsold. This
furnishes additional proof that the local real
estate market is on the jump. The prices paid
for these lots-S5O0 to 81, l,000-were very reason
able, considering the big demand for them
The revival of the agitation for national
bankrupt law is regarded favorably by Pitts
burg business men. One of them said yester-
day: at is just what the country needs. 1t
would do more than anything else to place
business on a solid footing. Seller and buyer
would know just where they stood 1t would
increase the purchasing power of the country
by at least so per cent. As it is, business men
are at disadvantage. The insolvent laws of
the States differ so radically that even lawyers
do not understand them. To illustrate: A
Pittsburg iron manufacturer sold large bill
to a customer in Iowa. Before the note
matured, the customer took the benefit of the
bankrupt law. The case was turned over to
our lawyer who found himself compelled to
employ an Iowa attorney to manage the case.
This was not only expensive, but it consumed
great deal of time. general bankrupt law
would do away with this difficulty. The law
being the same everywhere, would soon become
familiar to the legal fraternity, as well as to
business men. 1 hope such pressure will be
brought to bear upon Congress as will compel
that body to pass the law"
A prominent Georgian, who is now in the
city, remarked yesterday that the business re-
vival IN that State was still in full swing. He
said: New enterprises are starting up in al
most every town, while old ones are being
| strengthened by additions of facilities and
capital. Iron, coal and coke are the leading in
dustries, and they are being worked for all
| there is in them. Northern skill and capital
are at the head of some of the large concerns,
DuC OCnerS are DelnR successfully managed Dy
| Southern men backed by Southern money.
Georgia is acknowledged to be the leading
| Southern State in productive energy and capac-
| ity. Governor Brown old as he is, is the leader
of the progressive element of the population,
while Senator Colquitt, who preached in East
Liberty Sunday night, marshals the conserva-
tives. But we pay very little attention to poll
tics. Business is everything The race ques-
ton is solving itself. The colored people have
developed wonderfully in the past few years.
| As they become educated they get better
understanding of their duties as citizens. The
result is they are less clannish than in any
other Southern State, and more industrious
We help them both with money and advice
| The two races are working side by side with
out the least friction"
sThe building inspectors Of Philadelphia are
| in hot water, and their removal is demanded
| by a committee of the City Councils. Among
| the accusations against them Is the following;
''They have permitted the law to be violated
until to-day the acts of Assembly and ordi-
nances of Councils have become, practically a
dead letter, 90 that our city, in many sections
| is being built up in such manner as to be very
| little more than tinder box, only waiting a
| spark of fire to spread disaster in every di-
rection." 1t is only fair to say that the in
spectors deny the charges, and say their &C.
! cusers don't know anything about the business.