Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-14


AND EVERY COLLATERAL BKSEFIr EsrrNATED
FoR-cHARAcTKR OF THR TESTIMONY THE GAME
AS ALREADY GIVEN.
The Rock Creek commission (Sfessrs. Norris.
Scufferle and Burchell) resumed work this
morning in the Circuit Court room, and pro-
ceeded to take evidence as to the value Of
property In Rock Creek Park.
Elmer E. Gist. owner of tract 40 as acres on
the Military road short distance west Of the
creek) testified thathe bought three acres in 1888
for 81. 600; that it was wooded and cost him s75
to clear, and his improvements were worth
$3.50 and the land 81, 500 per aere He fled
photographs Of his place.
DISTINCTION IN PROPERTY.
Mr.. Perry in cross-examining witness said it
was evident that this was Mr.. Gists' home and
he was willing that full value be given for the
improvements. There should be distinction
between property used as homes and specula-
tive property.
MIR. Gist testified as to his mothers property
adjoining, ~ acres, that it was worth 81, 100
per acre.
Charles D. Smith testified that he was part
owner of land ON the south bank of the Po-
tomac between the Aqueductan and Chain bridges,
ana was 9uarrying stone thereon. The tract pur-
chased OF Early-Il4 acree-was for S100, 600,
aud they had purchased smaller lots. The stone
was blue gneiss and was used for building pur-
poses, foundations and fronts, and for paving
purposes tract Of three acres they gave
81 600 per acre for.
THE STONE ON THE SHOEMAKER PROPERTY.
He had examined the stone on the Shoemaker
tract. II was called granite, b. was not pure,
and he classed it bastard granite large
amount ofstone could be quarried here and it
was merchantable stone. 1t was rather eN-
pensave to haul it TO the city. but it would be
accessible to that locality and some parts OF the
city.
On cross-examination Mr. Smith said the ia
cilities for shipping the stone from his quarries
gave them their principal value.
Mr.. Duvau testified that he had examined
the electric light plant at Takoma. They stated
the water power was ten horse. but he figured
1t at about six horse. The fall OF the branch is
twenty feet. The flow of Sligo is very dilninu-
tive in comparison with the creek. perhaps not
fortieth part Of the creek. Witness was asked
II the flow of water was Is, 036, 900 per day and
the fall 65.55, what was the horse power and
how much of it could be utilized, and referring
to his notes and figures said the horse power
was 2os;a for the stream. II properly i'm
proved 30 per cent 167 horse could be utilized.
1t would cost In Georgetown to run.a 167-horse-
power engine SAG per day. To run a water en-
CINE OF same power In same place $6
per day. To improve the upper power in the
creek for the reception of the water engine
would cost S25, 900. The actual value of the
water power over the steam was worth $780,
SIS. The value Of the Pierce mill power is
S2l, 90S.67 OF the total 49, 036, COO gallons sup
ply 100000 can be raised l65 feet to the
plateau.
VALUE OF THE TREES.
Mr.. Howell testified as to the trees on the
Shoemaker tract. On one tract there were
twelve or thirteen purple beeches, which he
valued at $500 and 81, 600 each, cypress at go
and els, large oaks and poplars at s75 twenty
Ave holly trees at 81 each, about 400 plants,
sweet shrubs, worth about $50, and q willow at
s75. There were shellbarks, walnuts, DC.
There were on the place the finest collection of
trees and shrubs ne had ever seen about the
District
On the other tract was o large oak two feet
In diameter, tulip pOplars Of twenty-five inches
diameter and five feet diameter and various
other trees.
The seven red pud trees on Frank Shoe
makers tract we're worth % to 80 each.
Mr.. Howell also described the trees on the
Crystal Spring tract and valued them. They
averaged about forty trees to the acre, at SIC
and $50 each.
:, Commissioner Norris said that the fruit trees
had been mostly put down as belonging to the
tenants.
On cross-examination witness said that he
could not give value to them to cut down or
AehioNo. Inc suhl purplo pctcues COulu De
removed and for that purpose were worth $500
each. He did not know that the land was over
flowed where the beeches were.
BY Mr.. Hagner-The trees on Mr.. Gist's place
fruit and shade-were worth 80 each. On
Bex's place the hill offered asouthern exposure
and was adapted for a system Of hues through
green houses. The place was protected from
the north, northwest aud ortheast.
John L. Stewart carpenter and builder, tes-
titled as to the improvements OF Mr.. Gist being
worth about S1,475 and it would take six or
eight weeks
MIR. D. NJ. DAVIS EVIDENCE.
ID. NJ. Davis testified as to tracts 80, 81, GA
and 6S. The first, 3.00S acres, on Daniels
road, in the name OF J. p. Swami, trustee; the
second 1859 acres, on the Military road, in
the name OF Helen W. Davis; the third, 5l.491
acres, i'll the name Of Peter j. Douglas, and the
fourth, 62l acres, on Broad Branch road.
Tract 81, he said, was susceptible of subdi-
vision into half-acre tracts and he valued it at
S2.O00 per acre; tract 80 he valued at 81 900
per acre, and tracts "a and 6S at 200 to II 500
per acre.
On cross-examination witness said the tract
OF Miss Davis was bought for 300 per acre and
the others at 1850 per acre.
John W. Willis testified as to parcels GA and
6s that they would subdivide nicely and were
worth about 81, 200 per acre.
On crOss-examination witness testified he
bought his tract, 5.5l5 acres in 1883 for 1855.