St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-11-05

Around Lake Como-Why the
Be Located Upon Portion of
the Tract
70 the Editor of the Globe
As early as 1865, near thirty years
ago, the people OF the city of st. Paul
commenced agitating the question of a
good-SiZed park, and from time to time
the matter was discussed in the cham
per of commerce and elsewhere, and
loW and then editorials and contribu-
lions appeared in the newspapers of the
city advocating the necessity of legisla-
ton to secure one. During the winter
Of 1S71-7. d bill was Introduced in the
legislature, which became law on the
29th of February, 1872. authorizing the
appointment of five commissioners by
the judge of the district court of Ram
sey county, one to be appointed
from each ward as then con-
stituted, and it was made the
duty Of the said commissioners
to contract for and purchase not less
shan 800 nor more than $50 acres of land
in Ramsey county, lying within a con-
Venient distance of the city, but beyond
the then present city limits thereof, for
the uses and purposes of public park,
to be paid for by and from the proceeds
Of 100000 Of city bonds, which the COM
mon council was authorized to issue.
These bonds were to be payable in not
less than thirty years. and to bear in
terest at the rate OF Z per cent per an
NUN.
i3Judge W. Wilkin, who was then on
the bench, in pursuance of said act, on
the 2Sth day of June, 1872, appointed
Samuel Calhoun, William p. Murray,
Joseph a. Wheelock, j. G. Burbank and
Henry II. Sibley commissioners. These
gentlemen within a short time after
their appointment
ATTEMPTED TO DISCHARGE
their duties as prescribed by law. by
the purchase of not less than five hun
dred acres of land for a public park,
having three locations in view, namely,
Dayton'S Bluff, Lake Phalen and Lake
Como; but they found it impossible to
make a purchase that would be
within the terms of the law. While
there were those who were public
spirited enough to offer their prop
erty for fair market price. there were
others, good, Christian gentlemen, loyal
citizens with an eye to business, who
asked from two to five times what the
property was worth, and to have secured
800 acres of land, within a reasonable
distance from the city. would have cost
more than half a million of dollars in
stead of 100000. The project of a pub
lie park for the time being was aban-
doned. During the session OF the legIS-
lature OF 1873 an act was passed amend
ing the act Of the legislature of 1872,
authorizing the commission to purchase
any number of acres, not exceeding ESQ
acres. however; also with power and
authority TO condemn. if necessary, if
they were unable to purchase at fair
price. During the month OF May fol-
lowing the commission met and COM
menced looking around for park site
The original act had been drafted SO as
to give each ward commissioner, and
as three OF the commissioners were APP
pointed from east Of Wabasha street, it
was thought that the site that would be
selected would either be south of East
Seventh street somewhere on Dayton'S
bluff or on the shores of Lake Phalen.
1t was found, however, when the board
organized that the First ward commits
Sloner
OWNED EIGHTY ACRES
of land on Lake Como, and as it was
matter of business before pleasure, and
he Joined with the uptown members,
after considerable discussion, ma
Iorlty OF the board agreed upon the
purchase from eX-Gov. William Il. Mar
shall of the southeast quarter of section
twenty-five (22), containing 153 $500
acres; OF Frank B.Clarke the north half
of the northeast quarter of sec
ton twenty-seven CD, containing
lot numbered four (D in section twenty
three C23), containing twenty-siX (26)
and 40-l00 acres, all in township num-
Der twentY-nine (29), north of range
tWenty-three (23i west, containing in the
aggregate 260 800 acres, in payment of
which the city issued 100000 of 7 per
cent bonds payable in thirty years. In
fact, however, the purchase was made
for $50, COO, as st. Paul bonds were
worth only 80 cents on the dollar at
that time. The purchase had hardly
been consummated before individual
members OF the chamber of commerce.
which then, as now, had quite a num-
Der Of active, energetic and huStling
real estate men in the directory of the
chamber, who were always ready TO
raise sheol upon any real estate pur-
chase made by the city if they did not
have hand in the deal and get
"nubbin," commenced to criti-
else, and for more than wear almost
every Monday morning they opened I'D
on the commission, charging it with all
kinds OF shortcomings and rascality in
Its selection OF site and the price ii
paid, until the chamber was more ia.
miliar with the history and yalue of
real estate in the city of st. Paul than il
was with the Lords Prayer, notwith-
standing the fact that large number OF
the members of the chamber of com.
merce occupied high-priced pews in
aristOcratic churches aid made liberia
contributions toward the support OF
foreign missions and
CHARITY BALLS.
Some two years after the city had ac-
Quired the title to Como park, Col. d. A
Robertson, with prophetic vision O
the future, organized a syndicate anC
offered to purchase the same, agreeing
TO retire all the bonds that had beer
issued and surrender them up to thu
city for cancellation, and refund al
interest that had been paid by the CITY
with interest.
Then a worse howl Of wall and wo,
went out from the chamber of com
merce, as it was claimed the cnarte
did not authorize the city to deal in rea
estate by purchase and sale, Thereby in
terfering with the business of the rea
estate dealers in city lots and broat
acres. The proposition was not ac
cepted. For some time after this no &C
ton was had in regard to the park
except some old settler by little quie
movement would be able to secure hi
winter fire wood upon the plea tina
thinning out the trees improved thu
land for park purposes.