Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-11


The commissioners. Messrs. Norris, Seufferls
and Burchell, continued their sessions and
hearing evidence as to the value OF the land in
Rock Greek Park yesterday afternoon.
Messrs. Lipscomb and Key, representing the
Masons, Brooks and other owners of small
properties near the District line and west of
Sligo branch, offered testimony as to these
them purchased in 1888 at $50 per acre, they
now valued each acre as worth 1000.
The commission resumed its session at 10
o'clock this morning. The Lee tract Q5) was
first called and Joseph Gulick testified as to
the tract sloping down to Silver Spring creek
and Sligo valley, with a fine Wow OF Rock
creek valley, and said that he valued ii at $500
to S700 per acre. He had sold the Morton
tract last year at 81 500 near Fenwick's.
This was easy Of subdivision by one or two
streets. The cost Of a road from tract Is would
be $2,5Q0 to 50, 600 and this tract was superior
to the Morton tract, and the fact that the prop
erty to Silver SPRING. is under the same owner
ship is an advantage to tract Is.
On cross examination witness said that the
Morton tract was in the triangle formed by the
Metropolitan railroad and the eth street road
and an adjoining piece ;he paid $500 per acre in
June apd August 1882 Judge Wilson asked as
to whether the testimony now being taken
would be considered as applicable to all cases.
TESTIMONY APPLICABLE TO ALL CASES,
Mr.. Perry said that this had been agreed to
long since.
Mr.. Blair Lee said that in some cases ex-
traordinary values had been sworn to and he
wished to disclaim such values, for he believed
that this testimony would hurt the case.
Mr.. Perry remarked that he did not know
how this matter could be arranged unless
oil no
After some further discussion Mr.. Lee with
drew his disclaimer.
Judge Wilson suggested that each state what
sum each would accept.
DIDN'T WANT THE EARTH.
Mr.. Hagner said the land he represented
Fenwick's tract 11) was not worth $4,000 per
acre, and claimed that $500 to $500 was q fair
price. He did not want the earth.
Samuel Jones testified that he had sold a
tract about year ago for 1000 per acre. II
was on the Blair road adjoining Shoemaker
and Hodges and about quarter of a mile
from Silver Spring gate, and it was to the Ia
korna Trust and Loan Company There we're
ten and half acres in the tract.
J. W. Window testified that for twenty-seven
years he had been superintendent Of the Brook
VILE Park. He knew the white quartz quarry
in tract Is, and it was good sharp flint; good
1or roads; better than ordinary stone.
Chairman Norris said that they had been pro-
ceeding on the idea that the testimony given
for one owner applicable to other tracts may
be considered to apply to other tracts when APP
plicable. Now they had been asked by some
that testimony be excluded and they suggested
that the questions be decided before proceed
ing further.
Mr.. Lambert said that the testimony of Mr.
Green had been offered as to one case and he
did not think that it was fair to apply it to
other tracts whether they desired it or not,
hat no Init ho
after all the testimony is in for each owner
to state that they claimed not beyond a certain
sum.
Mr.. Perry said that this suggestion was &C.
ceptable.
Bushrod Robinson testified that he sold to
James NJ. Green in April, 1890, at $500 per
acre, having given $3.50 per acre the year be-
fore. He did not consider the price exhorbi-
tant.
GEOLOGICAL EXPERT.
Robert T. Hill testified that he was geolo-
gist now employed under the Agricultural De-
partment, and he examined the rock deposit in
Mr.. Lees place and presented drawing Of it,
showing that the hill was mostly of quartz, and
he estimated that there were over Is, 77s cubic
feet of quartz, of which 36, $50 we're above the
level of the creek.
past experience and cited instances where he
had examined outcropping Of coal and given
an estimate as to quantity, which proved sub
sequently correct.
Fred. Z. Dewey. consulting and analytical
chemist and metallurgist testified that he had
examined the quartz deposit and estimated the
quantity at about 150. 900 cubic yards.
Mai. o. H. ?. Clark testified as to the Lee
tract and he valued it at s60O per acre, but he
had no personnel Of sales.
On characterization Maj. Clark said that
Tor raising grain it was worth from 300 to e20O
per acre and for trucking purposes perhaps
S4OO and his estimate OF 5000 per acre was
based on it's adaptability for building sites.
Mr.. A. ID. Neele testified that he was civil
engineer and contractor and that quartz was
better than blue stone. The cost Of the latter
was 81 30 per perch g. 500 pounds). The quartz
described could be mined for 40 cents per perch
and crushed for 80 to 40 cents, and it cost rs
cents for the first mile and 40 to so cents addi-
tional.
On cross-examination two witnesses said the
stone would not pay her in competition with
the blue stone used.
THE VAN RrswIcK PROPERTY.
Mr.. I. A. Lambert called up tracts IS and
49, aggregating 1877 acres-the Van Riswick
property-and stated that the park practically
took all their land.
F. H. Smith testified az to his experience in
real estate, making loans and estimating values
as to county property and in Maryland He
had been over this land and found it rolling
land mostly with groves Of shade trees. and i
was available especially for building sites.
Last year he was, with several gentlemen, in.
terested in property in that section, and in his
opinion $500 to $500 per acre was fair valua-
ton. With an outlet to Silver Spring it would
be worth $500 to $500 per acre.
On cross-examination witness said that there
were more lots on the market than would be
built on Tor many years.
AS TO OVERFLOW.
Mr.. Perry asked if a portion was not subject
to overflow.
Mr.. Lambert-There is no evidence for over.
flow.
Mr.. Perry-The commissioners we're there
on a very wet day.
MIR. Smith replied he did not know but there
were number OF hills forming pretty places
for villas.
Redirect-He did not in his valuation include
the buildings. The fencing was in good order
Recross examined-He had bought adjoining
Hyattsville, Ellaville Heights and subdivided
into seventy lots, sixty of which were sold.
The land brought 81, 500 per acre.
The tract on Brightwood avenue, about 200
acres, extended to Lamond's station, was worth
81, 500 on Brightwood avenue the center part
$500 per acre and the eastern part 81 200
The central portion was low and inclined to be
marshy. This was half mile from Bright
wood and stream ran through it.
ME-. B. A. CoLLoNA.
After recess Mr.. B. A. Collona of the coast sur
vey testified as to Mr.. Fenwick's place being q
fine one for residences, having fine views, the
elevation at his house being 800 feet, and in
L. l. L, ~..~~ ANnn