Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-13
BOUGHT THE SQUARE.
The Pennsylvania Railroad Purchas-
ing SOuthside Property.
FANCY PRICES FOR SOME GROUND.
A Number Of Valuable Track Improve
ments to be Made at Once.
THE RESIDENTS WILL HAVE TO VACATE

The Pittsburg, Virginia e. Charleston
Railroad Company has just completed the
purchase of valuable block of property on
the Southside. 1t lies between South Fifth,
Sixth, Carson and Manor streets, and is to
be used for yard purposes. The assessed
valuation of the property. which includes
about So dwelling and business houses, is
about $4,000. 1t is understood that the
railroad company paid considerably more
than that for it. There are over 80 families
living in the block now, that are liable to
be compelled to move almost any day. The
property was sold with the understanding
that the people should move on a 15-days'
notice, and as the last piece IN the square
has been bought, the residents are expect
ing their notice every day.
THEY PAID FANCY PRICES.
1t is over year since the company began
to buy the property in this square, and they
had little difficulty in getting it at reason
able price for sometime. As soon as the
owners learned that the company wanted the
whole square, up went the price of real
estate. Charles Melting, of No. 500 Carson
street, refused to sell at any price until a
few days ago, when he accepted figure
said to be equal to nearly twice the assessed
valuation. His house is large three-story
brick and was the best piece of property in
the whole block.
The plans for the future use of the prop
erty have not yet been completed, but it is
the purpose to build retaining wall
along Carson street and fill in the
the square, so as to make it on a level with
the present tracks. The whole square will
then be covered with tracks, switches etc.,
and the additional yard room will be used
for making up trains and transferring
freight When the Ohio Connecting Rail-
road bridge is completed it is expected that
the business of the company, and especially
so far as coal and coke are concerned, will be
increased 800 per cent. Freight will be
transferred to all of the Western lines in the
Pennsylvania connection.
The company has always been hampered
for want OF more yard room on the South
side. Many complaints were made by the
Southslde people because crossings were oc-
cupied, when it was simply unavoidable.
This was particularly true on the upper end
of the Southside. When the new yard is
ready for use, the shipping will all be done
at the lower end. This will not only be q
convenience to the company but an accomo-
dation to the public as we'll.
BUYING ON MANOR STREET.
A great deal of property has also been
purchased along Manor street, on the lower
side of the railroad. No less than IA houses
have been torn down along that thorough
fare this fall, and side tracks are being put
down. By this, much-needed room is
added to the yards and an unobstructed
view of the tracks is had from the signal
tower at Third street.
1t is rumored that the company intends
to convert the Melting House into an Office
building and have it -emodeled for use Of
the local officials. The latter deny, how
ever, that any thing of the kind is contem-
plated as yet. The work of tearing down
the buildings in the square has already
been commenced and it is expected that all
will be removed in few weeks. Two or
three families, including that of Mr.. Nell
ing, have been given notice to vacate their
houses this month. ALI of. the other fam.
lilies are expecting their notices before the
end Of next week.