Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-17
OFFERED A NEW FARM.
Captain Brown Agrees 10 Sell a Site
to the Poor Authorities,
HE'LL GIVE 23e ACRES FOR $4,000
Controller Morrow and the Mayor Advise
an Investigation.
THE PROPERTY NEAR wILMERDING

| here IS substantial instance tnat Iarm
ing land in Allegheny county can be pur-
chased for prices much below those quoted
for Poor Farm sites:
Captain s. S. Brown is one of the sub
stantial business men of Pennsylvania.
Besides his extensive coal interests he is q
large land owner, and no one in the State
has more definite knowledge of the actual
value of real estate than he has. While re-
turning from his resort in the Fayette
county mountains yesterday morning, Cap
tain Brown was met on the train by DIS
PATCH reporter. The Captain talked
freely of his coal interests, the coal
trade and his real estate possessions.
He finally drifted to the Poor Farm mud
die, and when at Wilmerding he pointed
to vast tract of rolling land, and said:
''See that wheat field yonder? That is part
of my farm. If the city of Pittsburg really
| want site for Poor Farm there is one
that will suit to dot. You see that barn
and those houses? They are on the line of
the old Pittsburg and Greensburg turnpike.
1t is not over 500 yards from the Wilmerd-
ing station. 1t is trifle over quarter of
mile from the Monongahela river on the
other side. It contains 236 acres, and is
underlaid with sufficient coal, easy of ac-
cess, to last the Poor Farm for 20 years.
There are two natural gas lines run through
the property. An electric railway running
from McKeesport to Wilmerding passes by
the property, and will sell it to the city
for $50, 900. Unless the city wants it the
farm is not for sale. We have had many
offers for the property from private specu-
lators on account of its being so close to
Wilmerding, but we will sell to no one
unless, as say, the city wants it.
willing to Soil the Farm for $4,000.
'T have been reading of the Poor Farm
scandal" Captain Brown continued, ''and
in conversation with my brother on Satur-
day said would sell this farm for $50. 900,
which is about what the city ought to pay
for Poor Farm. 1t strikes me that the
city's money is as good as the money Of any
individual, and the money of Pittsburg
should buy as much and as good property
as the money of an individual. That's
purely q business view of the case, and busi-
ness is business with the city just as 1t is
with me-"
Captain Brown further stated that the
farm was fertile and was we'll watered with
springs and wells. 1t is rolling land and is
fairly we'll improved. 1t is located high
enough to be healthy, but not too high to be
inconvenient. 1t is just IA miles from
Pittsburg. 1t is known as the old Shaw
farm.
sswhat do you think of Captain Browns
proposition?" was asked Controller Morrow
yesterday, when the subject was explained
to him.
ct think it an elegant offer" the Control
Ter replied. If the farm is located and is
conditioned rs Captain Brown says it is an
offer that should not be disregarded. tell
you," the Controller concluded, eff the
people in authority insist upon rushing
madly ahead with the Alexander farm deal
they viii strike snag and big one too
In the face of the sffidavits City Council cam
not in my mind authorize the purchase of
the Alexander farm
Mayor Gourley Likes tho Offer.
Mayor Gourley listened to the story. of
the Brown farm with marked attention.
'If, however, it has been decided to pur-
chase the Alexander property NO offers
made now will avail anything and I must
again refuse to talk until the ordinance
providing for the purchase reaches me for
official consideration.
It is certain that the Mayor will veto the
ordinance for the Alexander farm if it is
passed by Councils. He believes that his
veto will not stay proceedings, and that the
ordinance will again be passed over his
head.
Understand me" the Mayor went on, 81
have no personal quarrel with Chief Elliot,
and if there is middle man in the deal I
have no hesitancy in saying that in my mind
Mr. Elliot has not nor will not profit by the
deal But the order of Court and the affi-
davits tell their own story"
Speaking of his coal interest Captain
Brown said he had tied up in the locks
above Pittsburg about 4,000, 900 bushels of
coal There is, he said, plenty of coal in all
the Southern markets to supply the demand
until the first Of the year, although he con-
templates lively trade with the proper
stage of water. The miners, he thinks, will
enjoy prosperous and satisfactory winter.