Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-25
ROCKVILLE.

The meeting OF the general assembly of
Maryland, which event occurs during the
first week in January. is the subject of con-
siderable speculation in this community,
and the probable action of that body in re-
gard to various subjects of legislation is
discussed in all quarters of the county
Among the more prominent questions to be
settled is that of a new assessment of the
real and personal property of the state, and
in this respect this county is much interest
ed on account of the present very unequal
valuation of real estate in the rural dis
tricts, and especially in the rapidly irhprov-
ing sections of the county. Since the last
general assessment, many years ago, rapid
Improvement has taken place in some Sec
lions with greatly increased values for
land. while in other parts the price appears
to be at a standstill, or has rather retro
graded. This latter state of affairs was for
several years very noticeable in the western
section OF the county during the suspension
or business on the Chesapeake and Ohio
canal and after the failure of the project of
constructing the Washington and Cumber-
land railway.
During the agitation of the question of
the building of the road, and when the pro-
Ject seemed good for its accomplishment
prices on land rose rapidly and several
sales were made at largely advanced figures
Since the last assessment. however. the
6iCdl duNdHSc III the value OF real estate IN
the county has been principally confined to
sections adjoining the District and along
the line of the Metropolitan branch railroad
and lands which then could be bought for
few dollars per acre are now sold by the
square foot at almost city prices Hand.
somely built and largely populated towns
along the line of this road have within a
few years taken the place of worn out
sedge fields and pine barrens, and hundreds
of thousands of dollars have been invested
in improvements of all kinds. But while
this state of affairs exists along the line of
the road, the lands in proximity thereto
which have not changed hands remain at
the old assessment, although held by the
owners at greatly advanced figures. An
other great cause of complaint is the fact
that new houses and other improvements
made by enterprising individuals who have
permanently located in the county are as
sessed at much higher rates than property
of the same relative value, but which still
remains under the assessment of many
years ago. 1t Is hoped that the coming leg
islature will be able to remedy this condi-
ton of affairs.
very interesting meeting of Gathers
burg Lodge of Good Teynplars was held on
Thursday night. which was largely attend
ed. A pleasing feature of the meeting was
the initiation of Miss Susie Dove into the
order. A formal invitation has been ex-
tended to the Dual Grand Lodge of Mary
land to hold its next annual session at
Gaithersburg. Arrangements were COM
pleted for a social to be given on Tuesday
evening. January . to which Forest Oak
Juvenile Temple, will be invited, and at
which refreshments will be served.
Mr.. A. o. Appleby of Germantown and
Miss Jennie Murphy of Clarksburg, who
were married in Washington on Tuesday
last. gave a wedding dinner and reception
at their future residence at Germantown
on Wednesday. A large number of the rel
atives and friends of the newly married
couple were in attendance.
Assistant Engineer Robert B. Higgins of
the L. S. Steamer Cushing is visiting his
home at this place.
Messrs Ohio Talbot of ST. Johns College.
Anderson OTut of Princeton College and
James Anderson of the Maryland Agricul-
tural College. are spending the holidays at
their homes in this town.
A handsome dwelling is being erected
near Washington Grove for Mr.. ROZZel
Woodward of Washington.
At the close of the services at Christ
Episcopal Church yesterday. greatly to the
surprise ard pleasure of the congregation
marriage took place, t. contracting par
and Miss Margaret V. Sisson of Washing
ton. After the ceremony by Rev A. S.
Johns, resident pastor. Mr.. and Mrs Ayers
took east bound train.
During Saturday afternoon and evening
passengers several of the trains from
Washington to this place were greatly an
noyed by crowds of intoxicated colored per-
sons, who had evidently been indulging in
lighting whisky. On the train which
occurred and a number of the belligerents
had to be elected from the cars at different
points on the route. At one time it looked
as II the affair would end in a regular riot
1t Is more than likely that several arrests
will follow.