The morning call., 1894-03-22
MERGED TRACT TO BE SOLD.
An Immense Packing House to
Be Built Thereon.
MANY SETTLERS FROM THE EAST
Creameries and Other Industries to
Be Started by Chicago Parties
With Ample Capital.

lands from the ownership of tie Crocker
estate and the management OF William 81.
Mills INTO the possession of syndicate of
Eastern capitalists headed by A. T. Hatch
and George Walkup. who have been in
this city since March 10 carrying on the
necessary negotiations for the purchase.
In its magnitude the deal surpasses any
thing of similar nature ever successfully
negotiated in California. Il involves the
disposition of nearly 10000 acres of land
and the investment by the new corporation
of several millions of dollars.
When word was first received by the
present manager of the estate from
Chicago that these gentlemen contem-
plated an Investment and asking for par
ticulaTs as TO the lands in question, they
were asked for reference ana gave the
names of three of the most substantial
banks in Chicago In response. Upon in
CURRY being made by the land company's
representatives a. the banks referred 10 it
was ascertained that the gentlemen in
question were thoroughly reliable and pos
sessed Of ample means to carry to sue
cessful issue any business enterprise of
the nature contemplated which they might
see fit to undertake. The delegation at
present quartered al the Palace is headed
by A. F. Hatch and G. Walkup. who have
been the principals in the negotiations thus
far carried on.
Mr.. Hatch is one Of the most prominent
attorneys of Chicago, ia the legal adviser
of several of the largest newspapers of
that city, and is man OF wealth; Mr..
Walkup is one of the proprietors of the
Chicago Herald and is rated as Al by
reputable commercial men. The remain
DER of the gentlemen comprising the syn
dicate are builded upon the same sub
stantial lines.
With the history of the Merced tract the
people of San Francisco and the State at
large are comparatively familiar. 1t has
not been many weeks since q new method
was devised for the disposition of these
lands, by the estate which owns them,
nnder a plan which originated with W.
81. Mills. 1t was, in effect, to sell them in
small sections to purchasers on easy terms
and thus settle the neighborhood with
desirable class Of residents. The plan
worked veil but slowly. It was found,
too, to be an interminable job. The de-
tails of the work, added to that which is
ordinarily transacted by the land depart
menr of the railroad, were found to be
burdepsome. and when this opportunity
came to dispose of the lands in Iump,
and under circumstances which would n-
sure the carving out of the principle
which the owners of the land had in view
i. e., actual settlements disposition to
accept it was evinced by the owners.
When Mr.. Hatch, Mr.. Walkup and the
other gentlemen in the party first met Mr..
Mills, trip to Merced was arranged and
the lands were thoroughly inspected. For
day or two negotiations progressed
smoothly and then a break came Since
that time and up to the present there have
been several critical periods, at which times
it seemed that all attempts to settle exist
ing differences would come to naught. but
these were averted and basis of agree
ment was finally reached.
1t is not to be presumed that the new
syndicate is going into business in Cali
fornla as charitable organization. These
gentlemen are active men of the world
who see in the investment an opportunity
10 make money and are willing to invest
their wealth and await the returns.
The policy to be followed In the disposi-
tion OF the lands will not differ materially,
it is said. from that laid down by Mr..
Mills. but it is expected to de velop the
property by the erection of certain indus
bilCO. 1uO pldu WulCU Lil6 SylOlCaL6 has
in view is to bring from the East the
families which will settle upon the land.
and they will be selected from among peo-
pie Of moderate means who have hitherto
been either renters or small holders of
lands where property is either exorbi-
tRntly high in price or has become unpro-
ductive.
AS an incentive to these people to come
n hoa h1a
cost OF transportation would cut no small
hgure, and this has been one OF the many
details of the transaction which has been
under consideration. A number of con.
snltatioDs have been held with the trans
portation department of the Southern Pa
clflc road. 1t was point ed out by the gen.
tlemen representing the syndicate that
the northern roads were practically
carrying settlers free into the territory
they penetrated; that where, for instance
family of seven person, was coming
west passes would be issued to three of
the number and full fare charged the re-
naming four, the charge of cutting rates
thus being avoided by the railroad com.
pany.
The syndicate proposes to expend on an
average an amount equal to $40 for each
acre 10 be sold in bringing settlers to the
coast. and it only remains to arrange the
details with the railroad company by
which this move will be carried into
effect.
The principal industry which it is pro-
posed 10 establish is q mammoth pork
packing establishment, with capacity of
1000 head of hogs per day. 1t is not ex-
pected, of course, that the packing estab.
llshment would be run to anywhere near
Its full capacity at the start, but the
figures are given to illustrate the proper
tfons OF the undertaking.
ln addition TO the pork-packing estab-
ilshment. II is also proposed to erect by
TAR the largest creamery upon this coast.
Inc gentlemen connected With the plans
are well posted in both the branches of
trade Indicated. They are familiar with
the great Elgin creamery district in Lii.
nois. and will Introduce here all the i'm
proved machinery and necessary Appur.
fenanees which have of Iata vaars -,