Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-10
A LOST INDUSTRY.
Barge Building in the South ASsum.
ing Large Proportions
AT THE EXPENSE OF PITTSBURG.
A Fine Squirt in Local Securities and Bet
ter Feeling in Petroleum.
REAL ESTATE, BUSINESS AND GOSSIP

kEAL ESTATE, BUSINESS AND GOSSIP
A letter from Ramos, La, to THE DIS
PATCH says, among other things: Zone
of the principal industries here is the build
ing of coal fats, which used to be done at
Pittsburg. The material used is cypress,
which possesses great durability. The flats
cost little more than those built at Pitts
burg, but will outlast two constructed of
Northern pine. think bodybuilding here is
destined to reach large pr oportions."
The above is worth considering. 1t recalls
memories of vanished industry, in which
Pittsburg acquired great distinction. As
bodybuilding center she had few equals. Some
OF the finest steamers that have ever plowed
the Ohio and Miss issippi rivers, were launched
from her yards. From 1914 to 1883, 1877 steam
boats were constructed at Pittsburg. besides
large number of coal fats and barges. OF III
steamboats,, barges, etc., constructed on the
Ohio rivir in 1856. l0S were launched at Pitts
burg. From 1857 to 1875, period of 18 years.
there were built in the Pittsburg district 6i9
steamboats, valued at 81, 600 900. In the same
period there were built Sis barges
These figures give some idea of the magni-
tude of this industry when in its prime. 1t
gave employment to thousands of people and
OTeW d great O6al Oh money u 1LS
decay was brought about by various causes,
chief of which was the multiplication of rail-
roads, which led to neglect of the rivers. 1t
could be revived by proper efforts. Pittsturg
is admirably situated to be the center of this
industry. Iron, timber and other material used
in the construction of boats, are abundant and
cheaper than elsewhere. The great obstacle is
the unnavigable condition of the rivers for the
greater portion of the time. Congress would
do a good work and earn the gratitude of many
millions of people by taking these great water
ways in hand and restoring them to useful
ness. There is a movement in this direction
which may bear fruit.
Business News aud Gossip.
A prominent real estate broker has . stand
ing order for property on Fourth avenue, be-
tween Smithfield and Market streets at S2OO0
a foot front.
One of the most neglected parts of the city
lies on First avenue, between Grant and Ross
streets, within three squares of the Court
House. 1t belongs to several estates. and no
improvement wo rth mentioning has been put
on it for many years.
Real estate in Braddock has been put up to
SO high figure that very little building will be
done there this season. Just outside the
borough large number of improvements are
under way.
Pittsburg and Philadelphia capitalists are
preparing to Duild two Bessemer iron furnaces
at Bristol, Tenn.
The Brownsville, Pa, Gas Company is said to
be in hourishing condition. and will soon be
out of debt 1t almost proved failure last
year.
A gentleman who passed through the squir-
rel Hill district Yesterday, said: There is
plenty of land out there, but almost every farm
has for sale on it. Extravagant prices have
made sales there slow and uncertain"
A car builder says that thousands of cars are
being ordered by the transportation lines. One
order has been placed for 10000 cars for the
Pennsylvania lines west OF Pittsburg. The
Baltimore and Ohio has ordered 4,u00. This
looks like a determination to check the car |
famine.
Stock brokers report an Improvement in !
office business There is good demand for all |
kinds of investment securities.
Mortgages recorded yesterday numbered 81. |
The largest was for s2S,s0O The smallest was
for 500. Twelve were for purchase money.
Friends Of Jay Gould are not quite ready to |
take any very pronounced position on the |
market although for obvious reasons they are
talking more confidently than at any time since
Mr.. Gould's return to New York.
Plans are being drawn up for block Of 54
houses in Lawrenceville. Particulars will be
furnished early next week.
Movements in Real Esrate.
There was very moderate movement in real
estate yesterday, so far as results show, but
there was good inquiry, especially for build
ing lots. The assurance of rapid transit is
having good effect on property in Boulevard
Place and surrounding districts. Sales reported
were:
Samuel W. Black & Co.. sold lot 1OOxI6O
feet with ten-roomed brick dwelling. on the
north side of Terrace street, near Darrah for
81, 500
Sloan & Co., sold rs lots in the Lexington
square plan, East End.
w. A. Heron & Sons. sold the last house
and lot, but one, in the Coltart square,
Oakland, for $1,000. They also closed the sale
of part of the George R. White estate prop
erty situated in the Twentieth ward, fronting
College avenue, Spahr and Alder streets, being
a large block of over five and a half acres.
The price approxImated $4,000
Reed B. Coyle & Co., placed mortgage for
5000, for three years at per cent, on Twenty
third ward property.
Black & Bard sold for DR.. F. G. Fricke lot
No. n, on Thomas street, Boulevard place East
End. 55xl42 feet for S4l25. beng SIS per foot.
Allies & Bailey sold for John F. Semmelrock,
No. 1702 Wharton street,Southside. two-story
frame dwelling of six rooms etc, lot lSx60
feet. to Mrs. Elizabeth Tress. for s2.25O.
Ewing Byers placed a mortgage of 81. 200
for three years. at per cent, oil property at
Jacks Run, Pittsburg. Ft. Wayne and Chicago
Kelly & Rogers sold for the Alex. Negley es-
tate lot 45xl00 feet, on Penn avenue, near
Negley avenue, for S7.200. being at the rate of
$50 per foot 'front.'
l. N. Pennock & Son sold lot No. l9 in the
Homestead plan, Seventh avenue and West
street. 60xl00 feet, for Thomas H. MCGOWAN to
Lawrence Ocffner for 81, $50. They also sold
mortgage for $4,000 five years. on property in
at 3-l0 per cent.
James W. Drape & Co. closed the sale of |
lot in Bellevue about 4Ox2O0 feet for ST. 100; also
three lots in Mansfield at about $1,000 an acre;
also five houses and lots in the East End at
IS 900 cash. They also placed two mortgages |
of 800 on manufacturing property at per
cent; also sold $50 shares of stock in the Butler
Salt and Chemical Company at $40 per share:
also "a bonds of the PiItsburg Driving Park at
$500 each.