The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-12-23


tion Proceedings Goes On-The Men who
are to Decide-Points Brought Out Yes
terday-Many witnesses Examined
The real estate inquest went on before
Judge Webb in the United States Dis
trict court all day yesterday. AS on the
day lefore large portion OF the pro.
ceedings were devoted to the considera-
iton of the values of land in Cushings,
Peaks and Diamond Islands. The men
who are to decide what Mr.. Cushing is
to receive for his 23 acres are: John P
Hobbs of Portland who is foreman of
the juryssFrank Wiring of Bangor, John
W. Hayes of Hollis, Albro Guptill of
Hollis, George M. Buzzen of Skowhegan
Samuel A. Preble of York Edward c..
Stevens, of Deering Stephen M. Watson Of
Deering, Elbridge NJ. Wilson of Gorham,
Henry C.Small of Portland, William Tay
lor of Westbrook, Mortimer O. Sullivan
of Westbrook
The case was enlivened during the fore
noon by the arrival of ex-Attorney Gen
eral Orville D. Baker. who came to act
with Mr.. Talbot on behalf of the Cush-
ing's Island Hotel Co., who are to make
claim for damages for the harm the
location of the battery is expected to DO
their property.
When the hearing began it was soon
evident, that Mr.. Gage, Of Mr.. Cushings
counsel, intended to continue to deploy
his brigade of summer cottagers.
Messrs. Enoch W. Hunt, J. Putnam Stew
ems, Chas. Shorey and Seth L. Larabee
wer g put forward first, and sustained in
their testimony as to Great Diamond
Island values, the Testimony of the af-
ternoon before.
Then Hon. Chales J. Chapman was in
troduced to the jury as one OF the ex-
Mayors of the city, as resident of the
city and owner of cottage at Great
Diamond Island. He testified that in
his opinion land on that Island was
worth from four to eight cents foot.
He was familiar with Cushing's Island
and thought the land equal certainly to
that of Great Diamond; and he knew
that it was.held higher. Witness thought
that the taking of the battery site by
the government would depreciate the
property Immediately adjoining fifty
per cent, and other neighDoring loca-
tions to less degree.
Cross questioned by District Attorney
Dyer, Mr. Chapman said the government
had acquired reservation on Great Dia-
mond Island; I; but it was half mile
from the residence portion and added
rather than detracted from the value OF
the Island. The governments use OBJ
structs no views and interferes in no.way
with summer life.
IL NJ
your testimony as to Diamond Island
90 on different theory from what you
use in the case of Cushing's Island
Witness. replied that he did, since the
government territory on Diamond Island
was more remote from the cottages, and
whatever might be done, would OBJ
stract the view less than would be the
case on Cushing's Island.
MIR. Frank Elwell, of this city, a sum-
mer resident of Diamond Island for
seven years, and land owner there. He
testified that land was worth from $500
to So, 600 ian acre. He had known an
offer of $1,000 for little less than half
an. acre, and this offer was refused. He
had had an offer for 5000 for a quarter
of an acre of the less desirable portion
of his own land. Witness was acquaint-
ed with Cushing's Island He thought
the best locations on the latter island
were worth double the best of Diamond
Island.
Mr.. W. H. Waldron. of Deering, real
estate dealer for fifteen years, testified
that the best lots were worth ten cents
a foot on Peaks Island. On Great Dia-
mond the values were from $500 to $500
for q quarter acre lot. On Cushing's
Island on the high ridge the land was
fully equal to the best of it on either of
the other islands. Cross questioned:b
Dyer witness admitted that he had made
Inc, Re INCL ell dc
Questioned by Judge Webb the
witness admitted that he had had about
so Great Diamond Island lots listed on
his books for twelve years. He had
sold but one of them in that time.
Mr.. John G. Proctor, of Deering, real
estate dealer, was next called: He tes-
titled that the land on Island Avenue,
Peaks Island, was worth from four to
ten cents foot On Diamond Island,
within the limits of the Association
holdings, the best lots were worth eight
cents foot The land upon the high
portions of the Island on the ridge of
Cusnings Island, was, in his opinion,
Peaks Island. He thought government
occupation on Cushings Island might
damage the adjoining land one half.
Questioned by Mr.. Dyer as to whether
government occupation had damaged
properly on Diamond Island, witness
thought it had not
Asked by Mr.. Dyer whether small lot
could not be sold fora larger sum than
a large one, witness replied that it
depended ON who purchased. If the pur-
chaser was Portland MANTLE small
lot would sell better, but for Vanderbilt
q larger lot would be more desirable
nm Mr.. Thomas F. Donahue, of Portland,
q summer resident of GreatDiamond tes-
titled that he had lived on Cushings Is
land and had tried to buy land Of Mr..
Cushing, but Mr.. Gushing asked at the
rate of $1,000 for a third of an acre,
which was more than he could pay. On
Diamond Island he bought quarter acre
lot which stands him $1,000.
Mr.. James Cunningham, of Portland,
testified that he attempted to purchase
land on Cushings' Island nine years ago
When Mr.. Gage attempted to ask the
witness what price was demanded for
the land, Judge Webb excluded the ques-
ton. Witness was then allowed to testi-
fy that he thought the land about White
Head the most valuable portion of Cush-
ings Island. He thought the taking Of
the battry site would depreciate the
neigh boring land from thirty to fifty
per cent.
Mr.. Edward C. Jordan, the civil engi-
neer, of this city, was called and testi-
f3ad ne to sIIryevS and areas