Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-05-18
10 CONDEMN THE LAND.
Petition OF the Rock Creek Park Comn,is-
sioners to the Supreme Court.

THE WORK OF THE COMMISSION As TO THE LAND
10 BE TAKEN SET FORTH AND THE FACT THAT
AGREEMENT HAS BEEN RxAcHxp WIFE ONLY
FIVE OWNERS STATED.
OF all the offers made by the Rock Greek
Park commission to the owners of the land
have been accepted. These are the ores made
to Messrs- Klingle, Gray, Cissel and Pinkney.
and Mrs Bean
Of very small parcel of land, but its formal |
transfer has not yet been made. Messrs.
Klingle, Gray, Cissel and Pinkney have notified |
the commissioners that they would accept |
their offers, and arrangements are being made |
to pay them.
Mrs. Beall has expressed her willingness TO |
from the city, and her husband is not vested
with the power Of attorney, the actual transfer
probably cannot be made until she has signed
the papers.
PETITION FoR CONFEDERATION.
The thirty days allowed by the act, after the
filing Of the map by the commission, within
which time contracts for purchase could be
made with private owners, expired by limitation
on Saturday last and the commission has al
-
sented to the Supreme Court OF the District In
general term. This petition, asking for the as
sessing and condemnation OF the land IN ques-
ton, is Q very long and exhaustive document
It was expected from the printer this
afternoon and q meeting of the COM
mission was called for this afternoon
80 that the petition might be signed and sworn
to by the members of the commission, Gen. L.
L. Casey, Col. Robert, Gen II. V. Boynton. Mr..
r Ross Perry and Secretary s. p. Langley.
The law hQwavar TINT all These
ceedings be in the name OF the United States
and the petition will be presented to the Attor-
ney General for his signature. 1t will then be
signed by United States District Attorney Cole,
as counsel for the United States.
just as soon as this petition is filed the court
will prescribe the time of notice to be given
the property owners. Three assessors will be
appointed by the court and they will begin
work at once.
WHAT IT RELATES
The petition begins: "The United States Of
America, upon the petition Of the commission
to select the land for Rock Creek Park, con-
stituted under an act Of Congress, en-
titled. AN act authorizing the estab-
fishing of public park in the District Of Col
umbia, 4 said act approved September q, 1880.
VS., and then follows the names of l51 re-
spondents, land against all other persons own
ing any portion Of land lying in the District
of Columbia and included within the following
met6s ana DOun0s: mere 1OllOWs a lenSlfE ue-
scription of the land desired for the park, set
out in minute detail.
The petition is TO the Supreme Court OF the
District holding a general term. The pre-
iminary articles set forth the fact OF the
appointment of the commission in accordance
with the act of Congress, the residence Of the
petitioners, the making and filing of the map
of the land, the condemnation of such land for
the public use and the vesting of the
title in the United States, subject to
the payment of just compensation, to be
determined by the said commission and APP
proved by the President of the United States,
or, in the event that such compensation should
not be accepted by the said owners, to be fixed
in the manner provided by such act.
Article states the residence of the re-
spondent, the character and then comes
q long detailed list of the owners and
the description Of the property belonging to
! each.
Article 10 refers to disputed tracts. Article
IL to claims to a reyersion in fee Of the road
ways, and article II states that the respondents
numbered from l2l to ISL. both inclusive, are
tenants in possession of certain tracts or par
GELS laid down upon the map. and gives a list OF
the names, possessions and claims Of the said
tenants.
UNABLE TO REACH AN AGREEMENT.
| The petition in conclusion will say that
the petitioners have been unable by agree
ment with the owners to purchase all
of the land selected and condemned for
the park within thirty days after the condem-
nation by the filing of the map, although
| they have diligently endeavored so to pur-
chase; that Immediately upon the filing Of the
map they made to each Of the owners an offer
to purchase his aforesaid property at a definite
| sum fixed by the commission and approved by
| the President of the United States as required
by the act; that this offer peremptoriiy
declined by all of the owners save j. Pierce
Klingle, who accepted the offer, and Edgar b.
Gray, who also accepted the offer. and Mary L.
Beall. who accepted subject to a condition which
the commission could not consent to; that sub
! sequently said owners were invited to meet the
| commission and that many OF them did attend
said meeting, but that no agreement was
| reached: that subsequently a second letter was
sent to each of the owners requesting a second
interview, or, at least, the naming OF
q minimum price for which the own
ers would be willing to sell; that
said second meeting was held and that many
| of said owners attended thereat or replied by
letter stating minimum price; that third
meeting of the commission was held on the
18th day of May, 1891, at which certain owners
attended in person, and to which others of said
owners addressed letters; that at the last-named
meeting the petitioners considered all proposals
and offers of the owners who had not accepted
| the offers, and unanimously determined that the
minimum demands of the said owners
were so exorbitant that they were in duty
bound to refuse them, and that notice OF
| such refusal was sent to each of the
owners, and SO it is that, greatly to the
regret Of the commission, they have been IN
able by agreement with the aforesaid respective
owners to purchase all Of the aforesaid lands
within thirty days after the condemnation by
the filing of the said map.
| CONDEMNATION COMMISSIONERS ASKED.
The petition concludes follows:
Wherefore your petitioners pray that this
court will. without delay, notify the said
owners and occupants of the said land, whert
known, by personal service, and where
unknown. by service by publication, and
will ascertain and assess the value OF
the land SO selected and condemned, by
appointing three competent and disinter-
ested commissioners to appraise the value,
thereof, and to return the appraisement to the
court; also they pray for such other and fur
Their relief as unto the court shall seem meei
and as the natures of their case shall require
and as the aforesaid act provides for and di
rects"
| Marriage Licenses.
Marriage licenses have been issued by the
l. ~ III