Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-04-23

AA% M mas peen Stdteu IN
.TTAA The STAR the negotia-
SNssA tions for this sale have
EH.sys. - been in progress for
a some time and while
the details were agreed
A~E6SSs upon and the transac-
ton practically closed
several weeks ago, yet
1t has only been within the past few days that
the deed has been put on record This prop
erfy is the northern part OF the subdivision
known as Petworth, which lies on the
east side of the It'll street road and
extends from the Rock Creek Church road to
what is now known as Brightwood Park. 1t
contains 1873 acres, which stretches from the
18th street road through to the Rock Creek
Church property. The price paid is about
S225, 600, which is between q, 200 and 81 800
per acre. The purchasers are a number of
capitalists residing mainly in Michigan, and it
ls stated that their intention is to make such
improvements as will bring their property into
the market. The expenditure OF this money,
together with what Is low being done or is
contemplated in the way of improvements, is
looked upon by the residents and property
owners of that vicinity as indicating the coming
of better times. The It'll street road is one of
the main highways connecting the country with
the city and its importance has not been
fnily recognized until quite recently. 1t is
now prohibition section. and with the disap-
pearance of the liquor shops q good many
causes OF complaint have been removed. The
citizeng are moving with unanimity in the
matter of a street railroad which shall not only
run out to Brigbtwood but beyond to Takoma
Park and Silver Springs. In other particulars
there is a change for the better, though all
that locality and some of tho property owners
are talking about plan for providing sewers
and water supply. The sale above
mentioned is an illustration of the increase in
values. About six years ago this property was
purchased from the heirs Of the Brown estate
by the gentlemen who have just sold it. They
paid for it sal, 500, which is at the rate of $3.50
per acre. After holding it for six years they
sell 1t for nearly five times what they paid Tor
it. Instead Of $3.50 they get over $1,000 per
acre. This is not bad showing for 7th street
property, nor IN fact would such a ratio of i'll
crease be unsatisfactory to property holders in
any section of the city. II is a good round
proht Tor property wherever situated
OUR CITY FATHERS.
The District Commissioners have recently
been called upon to act upon several matters
which affect the health, safety and to some
extent the moral welfare of the COM
munity. They have refused to give their
consent to the erection of any more houses in
alleys not exceeding forty feet in width and
they propose further to limit the height of
alley buildings SO that they shall not exceed
two stories. This is to be done to prevent
some one from erecting a skv scraper
IN an alley, thus depriving the residents of the
entire square of light and air. They are also
engaged IN looking after the safety of the pub
hc when they assemble in public places.
ERECTION OF BUSINESS BUILDINGS
Mr.. James G. Hill, the architect. is prepar-
Ing plans for handsome building to be erected
on llth street adjoining the Mertz building
This property has e frontage of forty-tonr feet
and is owned by the Corcoran Fire Insurance
Company. 1t is proposed to erect there q four
or six-story building which can be used
a good deal of building in that locality during
the present season. Around the corner on /
street three fine business buildings will be
erected, which will extend from IlO6 street
to the corner of.12th street. In the rear will
arise the walls Of the Metzerott Music Hall.
The erection of this latter building will be be-
gun at once. Some changes have been made
IN the plan since the catastrophe which
left it in ruins. The main entrance
Will Will be as originally planned from
18th street. but will be more spa
cious. The plans, it is stated. have been
more rig ideas which prevail at the District
Office on the subject of the safety of the public
when attending places of amusement.
TO CURE LAND TITLES.
The recent decision Of tho U. S. Supreme
Court in case involving defect in the title
to land held by adverse possession has an i'm
portant bearing on land titles in this Dis
trict. 1t is claimed that under this decision
such defective titles may be cured by filing
a case in court and obtaining favor
able decision to adverse possession
heretofore there was no way for the person in
possession OF the property to remove the cloud
lot. -. Al a.. IL
except by obtaining quit claims from tho pre-
vlous owners. This Is often attended by create x-
pense. While the cost of the proceedings under
the present ruling will be something, yet it will
be considerably less than what is expended for
the average quit claim, which costs as much
as it is thought the owner of the
property is able to pay. Those who make a
business OF hunting ont defective titles for the
purpose OF getting from the person in posses
sion good round sum in return for
quit claims will be obliged to modify
their terms, for the reason that relief can be
obtained from the courts at only the expense
OF the legal proceedings found to be necessary
to establish the title by adverse possession.
NOT 80 MANY BUILDING PERMITS.
This has been poor week for new houses.
The Indictment weather has doubtlessly affected
the building trade. During the week ending
yesterday the building inspector issued per-
mits for the erection of forty -seven new houses.
aggregating in cost 1886. 900 These were di-
vlded among the several sections as follows:
Northwest, fourteen permits. cost, $50, 600;
southwest, four permits. cost. $4,000; north
east, six permits, cost, $4,000; southeast. nine
permits. cost SC, 1926, and county, twelve per-
mits, cost, S56,375.
SOME NEW BUILDINGS.
Owen Donnaiiy is building for Mrs. N. W.
Head at 2023 Q street northwest handsome
and cellar brick dwelling. 1t will
be built of pressed brick. with single octag-
onal bay window running up three stories and
have frontage of twenty feet by depth of
forty-six feet.
The Atlantic Coast Line has started in to tear
down the old building at the northwest corner
Of Pennsylvania avenue and 9th street northwest
to building handsome six-story
and cellar Office building there. The permit
shows that the building will be built of stone and
pressed brick, with two circular bay windows.
1t will have n frontage of thirty-sevcn feet six
inches by depth Of eighty-nine feet ten
inches James G. Hill is the architect and w,
Z. Speir l. Co. the builders.
Charles Stott will shortly commence the
erection Of two handsome three-story and cell
lar brick dwellings at 7l2 and TIA 10Th street
northwest.
row Of Ave two-story and basement brick
dwellings will shortly be erected bv John
Lynch from 40 to 1873 9th street northeast A.
J. Fisher is the builder.
LIE Droit Park is shortly to have a fine i'm