Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-09-08
ROCK CREEK PARK LANDS
Mr. Saunders Gives His Opinion as to VAL
ues of Different Tracts.

ues of Different Tracts.
HE GIVES IN DETAIL. HIS APPRAIsEMENr OF THE
DIFFERENT PARcELs--oS WHAT HE BASED HIS
JrDGNENr-MR. WILSON CRoss-ExAMISEs HIN
AT LENGTH AS TO HIS EXPERIENCE.
The Rock Creek Park appraising commission
continued its sessions in the Circuit Court
room until o'clock yesterday.
On the objection to Mr.. L. NJ. Saunders tes-
tlfying as to certain property after he had tes-
tilted to his acquaintance with the property
the commission allowed the question and Mr..
Saunders said the large tract (39( was worth
S4OO per acre, taking the whole. Tract 6S-
also belonging to Mr.. Shoemaker-he valued at
$500 per acre Tract 81, Zepp or Mckewen-
the highest point in the park-he valued at
s4OO; 64, Porter & Douglass, S325; 6S, Porter IL
Douglass. 1925; 60, Shoemaker, 5000; 20, Mr..
Willis, 81 600; 65, Henry Dixon's quarter acre,
$500; &c, Jane Dixon's quarter acre, $500; 40,
Mrs; Gist, 500 to $500; Al, Mr.. Sturbetts,
SiJO to $500; AZ, Mrs. Truesdell. $500; 3S.
Dos Passos' south tract, $3.50 per acre. 81. Dos
Iassos north tract, $500; 81, Green, 500;
~, swan Il Davis, 1925; 20, BeX, S275; %,
Henderson. S225; %, Mrs. Mead. S225; 70,
A. Burgdorf. $3.50: rs, b F. Parrish, 800; "a,
Eaton, 800; %. White heirs. SIOO; 81, Riley,
$l35; IL, Elida C. Brown, SlS5.
Mr. Mckenny-Shall We give you the land?
Mr. Perrv-Commission will accept it, but
would not, fear, survive donation.
Mr. Saunders valued No. IL. Blair heirs,
600; Is. 5. I. Lee, 300; 10 C25 acres), Van
Riswick, s235; IL, do, $500; IS. Rock Creek
Company, $3.50; 10. Shepperd, $3.50; 20, A. {.
Bradley, 5000: %. J. ID. Cameron, $500: 33, 5.
Freashears. 1915; 81. Marion.A- Ryan. S40o; 3j.
Matthews, $500; 81, d. N. Davis, $500; "a, Nc
Laushton, 81 200; 80. Eliza I. Barton. $50;
52, Mrs. Hayes, $500; 50, Cornelia Jones, 81 1000;
43. Dos Passos, $50; IA, Pierce SHOEMAKER,
roadway. 800; 40, j. ID. Colt, $50 to $500; i6,
H. Cowperwaite, $3.50; AZ, Lawrence tract
$500; As, Pierce Shoemaker. 500; 49. Conway
Ilbbs, $500; %, Clark, 81 900. 81, Watson, 600;
81, Samuel NJ. Jones, $1,000; 50, Brightwood
Driving Park, Sl,2oO; 90, Malvern Park, Il, 100;
81, do, LOO; IS, Mrs. Coon, Sl,200.
Mr. Saunders testified to having been in
business since 1880. and that agent he had sold
much suburban property in Mount Pleasant.
on ith street extended, Washington heights,
&c. In his recent examination OF the park
lands he was accompanied by Mr.. Stellwagen,
Mr.. Paul and Mr.. Perry.
Before adjourning Judge Wilson asked if
there would be any objection 20 Nix. Shoe
makers sinking hole in his tract TO develop
vein OF gold-bearinS quartz supposed to be
there.
Commissioner Norris said that the commits
sion had nothing to do with the matter, but
thought that there should be no objection.
Judge Wilson said that he could promise
that after the examination the hole would be
hlied up. unless 1t should turn out that there
was more gold than dirt taken from ii.
Mr. Ferry said that he no objection.
ToDAY's SESSION.
This morning the commissioners continued
the hearing and Mr.. Lorin NJ. Saunders re-
sumed the stand and described the route taken
on his second trip over the lands.
1pa ar .e2t
examination Of Mr.. Saunders, who said he
commenced the practice of law in 1870 and
about 1880 went into real estate. Within ten
years he had bought and sold real estate in the
county on his own account. and named farm
near Bladensburg, property in Todd i
Browns sub of Mt. Pleasant, ON 7th street.
$4,000 feet, for which he paid g. cents per
foot three and half years ago. and OF which
he had sold one lot at Is cent?; 5000 feet in
Columbia Heights. bought three years ago at
cents, and ground in Washington Heights,
bought two years ago at 81. 25 per foot.
He had sold the Michael Conner farm within
a few months. Prior to the passage of the
act he had, as broker, bought no county prop-
erty for others, nor could he think of any he
had sold except the Conner property at III
cents per foot. This djoined lexington on
the north. The Eslin tract also sold
within the past few months through his office.
Mr.. Perry objected to getting in what had
critics sold since the passage of the act Septem-
Der q, 1890.
Mr. McKenney submitted that the preceding
witness had cited the Conner sale as one of
those on which he based his valuations.
Judge Wilson said he not asking the
questions to obtain the price, but to test the
weight OF his testimony.
The commission said that the price was not
admissible but the question might be asked
with the understanding that the price was not
ff, ha hx,x
Mr.. Perry could not see how that could be
done.
Judge Wilson said that he asked the question
because, il he was fortunate enough to be here
when the testimony is concluded, he expected
to argue from his answers that his testimony as
to values should not be taken.
Mr.. Atchison supported Judge Wilson, saying
that the testimony was admissible as affecting
the weight of the testimony.
Mr.. Perry said to save further trouble he
would Withdraw the objection.
The commission said that. with the under
standing that the question is for the purpose
indicated, the question might be asked.
Mr.. Saunders said that the Eslin property,
about ten acres, was sold for 23 cents per foot
Mr.. Perry-I am much obliged, for YOU have
been trying to show 25-cent values further
out.
Mr.. Wilson, will consent that my brother
Perry may use this testimony as to values and
I'll relinquish it.
interested in lands about Anacostia and in Isher-
wood on the Benning road. Seventy thousand
Or 80. 600 feet the latter road sold at Az cents
within two years.
That is the extent Of your experience?"
asked Mr.. Wilson.
No, SIR" said witness. There are other
sources of experience than sales" He con-
tinued, saying he had had experience in con-
demnation proceedings in the county and as a
witness in equity causes. one as to lands on 7th
cfr and rfra1xy
FARMER sAUNpEBs AND FARMER WILSON.
1t was proper to say that he was a farmer by
profession in New York.
Judge Wllson-You touch me in q tender
spot.
Mr.. Perry-Judge Wilson sees the hayseed
in your hair.
Judge Wilson-We may both get in the
Farmers Alliance, but TO the stenographer)
don't let 1t go on the record for don't wish TO
arouse Jerry Simpsons ire.
Mr.. Saunders said he had lived here for
twenty-five years, had driven over the roads of
the District and attended many sales had fire.
Quent conversations with those interested in
real estate and he really felt that he knew the
values Of the lands.
He had been subpGnaed about two weeks ago
and had seen copy of the pamphlet contain
ing the offers, which he got from Mr. Paul, but
he had not consulted it. 1T has" he said
been in my pocket since"
MIR. Wilson-"T'n admit that it was in your
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