Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-10
THE PRICE MUCH REDUCED.

Chief Elliot Selects Poor Farm for the
City-It Is the Alexander Property, Neal
Hutton station-Ouite . Difference In
the Amount Asked.
Chief Elliot, of the Department of Char
ities reported to Select Council the pur-
chase of Poor Farm. A notable feature
of the case is that this piece of land, which
the Chief has secured for $3.50 per acre, was
valued at 5000 per acre when bids were re-
ceived some months ago. The fact bears
out the statement made by Chief Elliot
some time ago that by the present method
Of procedure he could secure the necessary
land for the city much cheaper than by the
plan which was tried and failed. The Chief
presented the following communication:
The undersigned, who was authorized and
empowered by your honorable bodies to
select, and subject to the approval of your
honorable bodies, to purchase site for the
new City Farm of this city, respectfully re-
ports:
That in pursuance of the powers and au-
thorities vested in him by the terms and
conditions of the said recited ordinance he
has inspected personally many farms
located in the county, and finally purchased
the farm mentioned and described in the
agreement hereto attached and made part
hereof for the sum Of $3.50 per acre, with the
various privileges and easements mentioned
in said agreement, subject to the approval
of your honorable bodies.
why 1t Was Selected.
That the following reasons, among others,
governed him in making the said selection
and purchase:
First-That the said farm is so located that
it is easy of access from the city of Pittsburg,
both by road and rail: and good roads run to
the said farm from the city of Pittsburg by
which persons who cannot be conveyed by
railroad trains may be conveyed by ambu-
lance, the distance being Il miles. The
Allegheny Valley Railroad runs from Pitts
burg directly to said farm and, as the men,
bers of your honorable bodies know, furnishes
from Is to 20 trains daily for the accomoda-
tion of passengers and freight.
Second-The Allegheny river flowing past
said farm will always furnish pure and good
water in most abundant Quantities for the
use of the institution proposed to be erected
upon said site.
cleared land and is in excellent condition
for farming purposes. which said farm has
coal underlying it and probably natural gas
will be found upon said farm for the reason
that natural gas is already developed across
the road from the said farm.
Fourth-There are upon the said farm
stone quarries already opened. from which
poses can be and has been obtained.
Fifth-The consideration demanded, to
wit: $3.50 per acre, is far below the prices
character, and is, in the estimation of the
undersigned, not only a reasonable but a
cheap price for the property.
Sixth-The agreement to sell at the same
price sufficient ground for a reservoir on the
high hill overlooking the river, the ground
for pumping station on the river front, and
the right of way for laying pipes to and from
the reservoir, are also important matters to
be taken into consideration in regard to the
purchase.
1 therefore submit this report, together
self and the parties desiring to sell, to your
honorable bodies for your consideration.
All of which is respectfully submitted:
Chief Of the Department Of Charities.
Description of the Property.
Attached to the communication was the
following agreement signed by the owner,
H. NJ Alexander:
agree to sell to R. c. Elliot, Chief Of the
Department Of Public Charities and acting
for the city of Pittsburg, the following de-
scribed land in Plum township, Allegheny
county, for the sum of $3.50 per acre, subject
to the approval of the City Councils. Said
land is y miles from Union station and
about five miles from the city line.
Beginning at point about 5000 feet from
Hutton station and running east along
the township road 5000 feet, thence south
east 1000 feet to Plum creek, thence west
along Plum creek about 5000 feet, thence
north to the point of beginning; containing
about 322 acres.
About three-fourths of this land or say
about $50 acres, is cleared and under cult
walton, the balance being in timber, mostly
white oak.
The buildings on it consist of one large
houses, one barn. two stables and other out
buildings.
There are two old and three young Or
ohards, containing several hundred choice |
fruit trees.
Building stone of fine quality can be had
open and ready for work. There are four |
wells and several never-failing springs of
good water.
The entire tract is underlined with coal of |
a good quality. Natural gas is found in the
immediate vicinity, there being q we'll
about 80 feet from my line, now producing
gas at a good pressure.
And also agree to sell at the same price |
sufficient land for reservoir on the high |
hill overlooking the river; also enough
front; also to grant right of way for laying
pipes to and from the reservoir.
And further agree on the approval Of the |
City Councils to make a deed OF general war
ranty.
time rs Councils shall approve or reject.
II. NJ. ALEXANDER.
Witness: PHILIP FIrzeIBBoNs.
Iaccept the above proposition, subject to |
the approval of Councils. R. O. ELLIOT.
On motion of Mr.. Warmcastle the matter |
was referred to the Committee on Charities |
without discussion.