, 1889-02-20

otlSSI lSoluShSc VI MI. Magic was
purchased from that gentleman
for $500 and at that time his
dwelling site was sold for $500.
In 1884, when the republicans
were shouting for Blaine of Maine,
Hon. A. II. Reel gave $3.50 for
block rs, out on Twenty-sixth
street. He soon after sold it for
S1,100 and to-day it is held for
$4,000. The same year he was
persuaded to ante $3.50 for a
block on Twenty-fifth street.
Three years later he sold it for
$4,000 and the present owner in
sists that it is worth every cent of
$4,000. Mr.. Reel was actually
coerced into giving $500 for two
south side blocks about this time.
He has no lasting emnity against
the grantor, however, for he net
ted over $4,000 on the deal.
Eight years ago John w. Col
Inns, then cashier of Posts bank,
dabbled considerably in real es-
tate. Daring a lull he concluded
to unload at sacrifice prices.
Taking an inventory he discov-
cred that he was the owner of
fifty-two lots more than he cared
to be h%ampered with at that time.
He strolled into the law office of
Hon. j. G. Baird and said:
"Mr. Baird, I've fitty-two lots
scattered over the town and don't
want them. I'll deed you the en-
tire list for $3.50. They're actu-
ally a nuisance to me-"
The attorney hadn't the most
remote idea as to where the prop
erty was located, but was certain
that there was no chance to lose
by accepting Incorporation. He
gave Collins a check for $50 and
put the deed in his safe.
The chance buy of Mr.. Baird's
has proven one of the best ever
made by anyone operating in city
realty. He sold some of those
lots for for $500 and $500 each,
and none for less than $50. Mr..
Baird has dealt in real estate con-
tinuously and his shrewdness has
made many good investments.
He once gave $500 for a block on
extreme east Seventeenth street
and disposed OF it in less than a
month for S1,40O. In 1881 he in
vested all his spare cash in east
end property, and is of course
pleased to note that it has adj
vanced handsomely.
Several years ago Sheriff Mar
tin, by dint of careful saving, ac-
cumulated 500 and invested in
one east end block. He sold it
to Fred Clary for $3.50; Clary sold
to Robins for $1,000. The latter
made something by deciding it to
A. d. Kelley, and Mr.. Kelley's
turn comes next unless he has
sold it since these lines were
written-and that is not at all i'm
improbable, for Kelley is a rustler.
A small piece of land upon the
boulevard has n rather peculiar
history illustrative of more things
than one and clearly demonstrate
ing that men nearly always equal
occasions. In one of their num-
erous deals, Will Jeffrey and John
Martin came into possession of
the fractional block. They traded
it to Isaac Bergman for a horse
with a remarkable capacity for
livery stable fare and an neon
querable penchant for moving
slowly. Bergman held the piece
until Tom Shanks, who owned
no property, was nominated for
the council. Then he decided it
TO the candidate. Shanks was de-
feated but retained the title until
DR.. Hunt, likewise devoid OF re-
atty, was nominated. Then Tom,
on advice of certain republicans,
executed a deed for the Bergman
land to the doctor and the latter
qualified for Office on handy frac-
tiOnal block Mr. Reroman has