Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-18
A FEW MORE DEALS.
In Real Estate, but Not Large Enough
to Excite the Community.
TIE MYSTERY OF CHERRY ALLEY.
Marvellous Advance in Property at the
Great Capital of the Nation.
NOTHING LIKE IT IN THESE TWO CITIES

While there was nothing startling in real
estate circles yesterday, several important
transactions were closed up and allowed to
csme to the surface. Henry A. Weaver 3
Co. sold two two-story brick dwellings, Nos.
172 and 174 Second avenue, the lots 2211 feet
front each by 80 in depth, to james W.
Piatt for 81, 1000. 1t is understood that the
purchaser will repair the houses and rent
them.
Another transaction of some interest to in
vestors was the sale by w. a. Heron Sons,
of No. 1865 Fifth avenue, Sixth ward, lot 2OxlOO
to Ann street, with two tolerably good build
ings for $1,000 The purchaser is Mrs. l.
Heiner, wife of A. A. Heiner, Esq. She will
improve and occupy the property.
The gossips gave the Pennsylvania Railroad
and Cherry alley a rest At least no fresh
rumors were flashed up. David P. Black, OF
the firm of Black & Baird made this important
statement: "You may say that Black & Baird
are the only ones who know whether anything
is going on there, and they won't speak
word"
A Fourth avenue real estate broker who has
Just returned from trip to Kansas City, said
yesterday that lots have been sold there within
year for 10000 foot front. Business of all
kinds is very active, and the city is growing ata
marvellous rate.
II am afraid, however" he added, "that they
are going too fast and that sooner or later there
will be a financial crash which will cause wide
spread ruin. One reason for thinking so is that
a great deal of the speculation is on credit
trusting to rise in values to come out even OF
ahead. One season of bad crops would be dis
--1rNuN rnf
trying their luck in Kansas City should think
twice before they act"
An ex-Pittsburger who has made his home in
Washington, D. C., for the last 80 years, is in
the city visiting old friends. In the course Of
conversation with THE DISPATCH representa-
tive yesterday in which real estate at the Capt.
tai was the leading topic, he made some state
ments in regard to the enhancement of values
at the seat of government. and especially IN the
northwestern section of the city, which are as
surprising as they are interesting.
He said residence properties in the district
in question, which sold during the war for l
cent a square foot now bring SO, which is
equivalent to s., 900 foot front These lots are
only 25xloO, and the location, while good, is not
the best
This valuation is far above anything in the
best residence portions Of Pittsburg or ALE
gheny, where the maximum price is about 500
q foot for lots that average $50 feet in depth
twice the size of those in Washington City. 1t
is about equal to the rating of the best busi-
ness property here. When Pittsburger is re-
quired to pay 81, 900 foot for business site he
wants something better than on side street.
There Is no boom here, nor any likelihood Of
one, but there are more reasons why properties
should enhance to double their present value
than can be found in any other city in the coun-
try. These facts-for facts they are-should
cause citizens with money to remain here where
they can use it to better advantage than any
where else, and where there is no danger OF
losing all in the effort to make more.
The pastor of 9 suburban church, in the
course Of q sermon delivered recently, tolo how
q business man in q neighboring town expert
enced a change Of heart and made himself
solid with the community. He had been ad-
dicted to most of the common vices and foilies
Of the age, and was noted for driving sharp
bargains, in which he did not always stick to
the truth. He kept large country store and
had large trade, but his customers did not re-
pose implicit confidence in him. His weights
were often short, and his goods not always as
represented Still, he was sound at the bot
tom.
He attended revival meeting one night, was
bought a large family Bible and chained it to
his counter in full view of all who came in.
Calling number Of his old customers together,
he made them o little speech to this effect:
"Friends, 1 have made q change in my private
life. and I am going to make one in my business
methods. Heretofore my object has been to
make money, and to do that have said and
done things which an hone st man could not
stand up to. Hereafter 1 propose to do bUsi-
ness over this Bible. will tell the truth, and
nothing but the truth. every time. You will
find everything you buy from me to be just as
represented, and you will get full weight You
can trust me from now on to the uttermost"
This occurred several years ago. = He kept
his promise, and prospered His word was as
good as bond, and when he died recently he
was the T est man in tnat section. The large
business that he built up is now controlled by
his son, who keeps up the custom established
by his father Of selling and buying everything
over the Bible, which is still chained to the
counter.
The increase Of the Garrett capital during
the illness of Robert Garrett is an accepted fact
in financial circles, and it is said to be alto
gether due to the sound business sense Of Miss
Mary Garrett, the only daughter of John W.
Garrett and sister of Robert. 'It seems
incredible, but it is the TRUTH said a Balti-
more lawyer to Philadelphia friend recently,
that this young lady has virtually handled the
Garrett railroad and banking interests ever
since one of her brothers was attacked with
disease and the other lost his life. She is not
yet 30 years Of age, and is handsome woman OF
the blonde type. She obtained her business
training from her father, to whom she was a
constant companion in his later ysars. and she
turned it to good account when the Garrett
family was actually deprived of male head.
mo woman has ever had such responsible
ity Of this kind placed upon her as that which
Miss Garrett has Voluntarily shouldered, and if
the whole story of her work could be told it
would be q narrative of the most extraordinary
business qualifications that any woman has
ever shown"