Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-07
TIE APPRAISERS NAMED.
Three GentlesAen Whs Are 10 Determine the
Value 0f Rock Crssk Pnrh Land.

TIE APPkAIskRs NAMED.
Three Gentlemsn whs Are 10 Determine the
Value Of Reck Creek Parh LAID.
AL TIE APPorSrrHs iSrkavrrwxD AND But oxl
WILL fosIrIvILY AccEPT-Hrssns SaonPsox
AND DAVE pEsIRH TO N lxcusKD-na. HesRis
WILLING TO DO TIE wonk-
In the Court IN General Term. Chief Justice
Bingham and Judges Hagnsr and James. this
morning the Chief Justice announced the APP
pointment Of Lewis J. Davis, VIM. g. Thomp-
son and James L. Norris appraisers Of the prop
erty within the lines Of the Rock Creek Park
which the commission has failed to purchase.
1t was suggested by Mr.. Perry that perhaps
all would not serve. Mr.. Lambert said that
although personally he had no objection to
those named he did not know II all Of them
would be acceptable TO thoss he represented
and asked time to confer With them. After
some discussion the court said that the parties
named would be notified and any objection 70
the appointment would be received tomorrow
morning.
Mr.. Perry suggested that they be instructed
on Thursday and said that in addition TO the
Instructions given in the post Office site case he
would ask that In appraisinR the values. the
sales s.. Of adjoining property made since the
erty be not considered.
Mr.. Perry, with permission Of the court.
amended the plsadings BY changing the names
of some Of tho parties.
Should Messra Davis, Thompson and Norris
accept they will be instructed Thursday and
enter on their duties which will engage them
for month or more.
Mr.. DAVIS WANTS TO u EXCUSED.
Mr.. Lewis J. Davis. who has been selected as
a member Of the commission, ia the head Of the
banking house of Lewis johnson 4 Co., and ia
a lifelong resident of the District.
He received notification Of his appointment
about o'clock today and repaired ct once 70
the court house. where he made an appeal to
the judges to excuse him from service,
basing his request on the ground that his en-
ceedingly difficult for him to serve and that
he had no experience in country real estate.
Mr.. Davis said to STAR reporter this after
noon that the matter now rested with
the judges as to whether they would
excuse him or not. A. one of
his partners 10 about to sail for Europe his
business would demand his attention during
the summer to an extent which would make
II almost impossible to serve. Mr.. Davis
remarked with . smile that he had suggested
TO the judges that the overworked bankers
were entitled 70 a holiday in the summer as
To this one Of the judges had responded with q
question as to whether Mr.. Davis could not
serve in September. Mr.. Davis had intended
taking vacation in August. He
said to STAB reporter that
while he had considerable knowledge of city
property. Where land that was sold few
years ago a. agricultural land at 500 or $500 an
acre is now sold by the foot at prices amount
ing to $4,000 or so an acre, Mr.. Davis re-
marked, a man 10 likely to lose bearings. He
hoped, he said. that the judges would regard
his appeal and not require him to serve.
TALK WITH Nh. THOMPSON.
Mr.. VIM. 8. Thompson, who was appointed
one Of the board of appraisers, is one Of the
best known residents and business men OF
the District, having been in the pharmacy
business here for the past thirty-six years. He
came to Washington in 1855 and four years
later he started out in the drug business on hi.
own account at the corner Of 18th streetand New
York avenue. He has been on the same block
ever since, 80 that his store has become one OF
the landmarks Of the city. He has never held
government salAried Office, but he has been
connected with any number Of local institu-
tons and has been Identified with all the lead.
ing public movements, especially those tina,
tended to the welfare Of the city.
Mr.. Thompson was the first president OF
the old pharmaceutical association. the frs,
president Of the College of Pharmacy and
| the first chairman Of the District com.
missioners Of pharmacy. He is a trustee OF the
reform school, Q trustee and the treasurer o,
the Children's Hospital and was one Of the
charter members Of the Woman's Dispensary
He was q member Of the city post office site
commission that has but recently concluded it
labors.
When Stan reporter saw him this after
noon Mr.. Thompson had Just received notice
OF his appointment rs an appraiser OF the Rocl
Creek Park property, and when he was asked
the question said that he had by no mean
1t was not sought by him, he said. but on tn,
contrary whenever he Ind been approached
with reference to the matter he had expressed hi
disinclinatioE TO accept the position.
No sooner was he through with the pos. Office
site than he was called to the criminal Jury
and he thought it was only fair that he should
have q chance to devote some time to his owl
personal matters. While he was gratiied
at the appointment he would not say that he
would accept though he refused to commi.
himself until he had given his definite answe,
to the court.
M MORRIS WILL ACCEPT.
Mr.. James L. Norris was found by STAR re.
porter at his Office Of patent attorney-5th and
streets--having just received his notification
"Yes," he remarked, 81 will accept-a. least
/ will be on hand tomorrow to know what thin
ut will keep you in town all Of August" sug
gested the reporter.
what Of that?' was the answer, ..some one
should look after the interests f the citizen and
I might as well accept the place. Some one Ina.
to do it and think can do this much for the
project and trust that we will at once get to
work.
Mr.. James L. Norris is forty-four years Of
age, the eldest son Of the late John E. Norris
; for a long series Of years a prominent member
OF the bar and after his education in the Dis
trict schools and the study of law with hi,
father he, almost thirty-two years ago, entered
into the patent attorneyship business in
which he has been quite successful. Like hi,
father he has been prominent in demo
cratic circles and succeeded him al
president Of the Jackson Democratic
Association and 10 on the democratic
congressional and advisory committee
Of the national democratic committee He 1.
at present vice president Of the National Banl
Of Washington, director Of the Franklin In
surance Company and interested in q number
Of other companies
THE TwENTY-F1FTH n. Y. CAVALRY