Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-13

ihhA WEhE SPECIFICALLY NSlDERED-SOME
INTERESTING FACTS AS TO SALES BROUGHT OUT.
Ihe commission to appraise the Rock Creek
Park property, Messrs. Norris, Seufferle and
Burchell, continued its session in the Circuit
Court room yesterday.
Mr.. r. Z. s. White testified as to the sale in
January. 1890, of ninety acres on Brightwood
avenue for go, 900. 1t was less than one-fifth
OF mile from Brightwood Hotel and was about
half a mile square, on the pike. On it a num-
Der OF houses have been erected, six under roof
and three in course of construction. The low
est price they put on it before the sale was made
was 81 100 per acre.
Anna Lawrence testified that her husband, 2.
A. Lawrence, owned 1887 acres, tract AZ, on
road near the Military road, and left eleven chill
dren; that she was thirty nine years of age "An
she wanted was what was reasonable and right,
enough to get another little home," she said
She dld not know what was paid for it nor how
much the house cost. They had planted apple
pear, peach and cherry trees
Commissioner Norris--We have the number
OF trees-ten apple, eleven cherry, eleven chill
dren.
Mr. Perry-Children were bought and sold in
BIBLE times. The government ought not be
asked to pay for them now.
Walter Lawrence. q son, testified that the
house was worth $500.
VALUE OF BUILDINGS.
After some discussion as to the value Of
buildings Mr.. Wilson said in the interest of
humanity he would suggest an infallable rule:
Find place on Tenleytown road or Connecti-
cut avenue extended where YOU can buy and
put up homo. Fix the price by such means.
Applause.)
Mr.. Perry-There is about per cent of hu-
manity and IS Of advocate for large holders in
this suggestion.
Mr.. Wilson, give notice now that will see
TO the interest of these people.
Mr.. Wilson called Mr. Dewey. who testified as
70 the Shoemaker quarry on the Broad Branch
road and described it, as also the rocks in the
branch. The rock is gneiss and is good build
ing stone. There is practically an unlimited
supply OF the stone, and from his best judgment
lively easily worked.
Mr.. Wilson said that further on he would
show what buildings had been erected Of this
stone and what the royalties have been.
By Mr.. Lee-In making his estimate he was
considerably below the bed Of the creek.
THE SHOEMAKER QUARRY.
Prof. Hill testified that he had examined the
Shoemaker quarry and seen two houses built of
it, 1t was a very fair building stone Of gneiss
Then with some law books he explained the
strata, and it was practically inexhaustible. 1t
was 5OO feet wide and quarter of mile long.
Mr. Perry-Judge, will not do your sums
for you.
Mr.. Lambert-Perhaps you will in subtrac-
ton.
On cross-eIamination witness described the
rock as being of the granite family.
BY Mr.. Lee-Witness in his estimate of yes
terday took in only the rock and Mr.. Hill the
shattered rock.
Mr.. J. c. Hornblower testified that he had
used the rock for houses on NJ between 18th
and 18th streets and on Rhode Island avenue
between 18th and 18th streets, and it was a very
Desirable stone. 1t is easily worked and can be
had in large blocks. He had used some in
hotels seven or eight feet long. He would not
hesitate to recommend and use this stone in
frst-class houses in the northwest section.
On cross-examination Mr.. Hornblower said
ne had known Of eight houses of this material.
Mr. H. Z. l.. White was recalled for cross-ex-
animation and said:
THE SEVENTH STREET TRACT.
The 7th street tract is more valuable than the
park tract and year or two ago the latter was
worth about three-eighths as much az the
former.
BY Mr.. Warner-The access is on the east side
and the road on the west side is used by suffer-
ance only. There is a deposit of blue stone on
the south end Of the tract and from the evil
dences he thought it was good building stone.
Mr.. Perry-ru admit, Mr.. Warner that there
is enough stone in the park to build New York
city, but there is no city to build.
by Mr.. W. Stone Abert-The Dos Passos tract
OF thirty-seven acres north of the Military road
(No. 81 is worth 81 900 to q, 100 per acre and
the other tract (No. ss), south Of the road
q, 100 to 81 900 per acre.
By the commission-Tract43 on the creek. is
with the other tract worth as much per acre.
but by itself 900 and $780,
Mr.. Abert-But it may take in the creek.
THE MUSIC OF THE FROGS
Mr.. Perry-Then the frogs may sing in creek
and pond
Mr.. Lambert-And prove an appropriate
feature of the park.
Cbas. Wilson. superintendent of the Wash
ington and Georgetown railroad power house,
testified that they were using 175 horse power
to run sixteen cable trains of two cars each
twenty-one hours per day on a consumption of
S19 tons of coal per day.
Mr.. j. e. Myers testified as to the tract of Mr.
Riley (No. 23) that its most available purpose
was for country home sites and was well wooded
tne trees adding % per cent to the value of the
land, and there was considerable stone suitable
for foundations. A fair price was 81 900 per
acre. He valued the Forrest tract at $500 and
$500 per acre, the Eaton tract (suitable for sub
divisions) at 81 900 to $1,000 an acre. and
thought there would be no trouble in selling it
at cents per foot.
Mr.. Myers was subjected to q lengthy cross
examination az to sales he had been interested
in
Mr. DICKINSON As AN EXPERT.
The commission resumed its session today
and the first witness called was Mr.. T. G. Dick
inson, who testified that he was q real estate
dealer. His firm had made but one sale and
that was conducted by his partner, Mr.. Goff in
1887-the Swart property. He was
with the White tract which lies on
both sides of the creek. It was adapted to SUBJ
urban residences to q considerable extent. He
would not fig the price at over $500. He dis
claimed being an expert.
On cross-examination witness was asked as to
the price of the Swart property and he said that
the notes were signed by Mr.. Goff.
Mr.. VIM. Stone Albert objected.
Mr.. Perry said he proposed to show that the
in the deed was $50, 900. about
double the price for which it was conveyed to
Mr.. Morris.
Mr.. Albert claimed that the price could not be
proved in this manner, and he disclaimed any
of fraud in the matter.
MIR. Perry reported that he expected to show
that the sale of the property was made to Mr..
Sprigg and deed of trust given by Mr.. Morris
and the property conveyed to Mr.. Dos Passos
subject to the trust, and he expected to show il
Was all one transaction.
Mr.. Albert argued that the question was inad-
The commission ruled that the question was
lnadmissible at this time unless the witness had
personal knowledge of the sale.
Mr.. Dickinson said the price was &S1262 for.
~ he understood, ITO to l73 acres
Redirect-Witness was infuenced In his esti-
mate by the Improvements Of the California