The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-10-07
BRooKLYN,sNEW CoLoRED CITIZEN
Mr.. Hiram .. Thomas VIII Move Into Hts
Fort Greene Place House on Oct. ~.


SARATOGA. Oct. e.-Hiram s. Thomas. the
negro who recently bought the house 13l Fort
Greene place. Brooklyn. Is still at his famous
Saratoga Lake House, but Ii packing and pre-
pairing to take possession of his Brooklyn pur-
chase. In an interview had with him$o-day at
his lake house Mr.. Thomas said TO The Sun re-
porter:
9TH purchase Of the house 13l Fort Greene
place was purely q business transaction. have
quite a large family. and have for some time
been looking for q piece OF property within my
means that I could buy and make for ourselves
q permanent home. I have six children. Ny
son is a graduate of oberlin College. Three OF
my daughters are graduates Of the Conserva-
tory of Music on Fourteenth street, New
York. They were the first colored students
ever admitted 70 that institution, and
all OF them were graduated from the New York
city public schools. THE SUN has been very fair
In all this matter about which so much has been
said and published, and has treated me with
great kindness and consideration.
THE purchase of the Fort Greene place house"
said Mr.. Thomas, was, I may say, quite acci-
dental. l had previously consulted three Brook
lyn real estate agencies, and they were all on tho
alert to find a house that would suit me. My
limit Of price with them all was so. 900. Ono
day when l was about 10 leave the city Mr.. AL
win A. Sealey, real estate agent, Intercepted me
90 say he know OF a house that was a bargain,
that it was worth ST., 1000. but that Il could be
bought for Slo,ooO, as tho owner was
anxious TO sell for cash. Together wo
took a carriage and went TO view the premises.
Tn house and its location pleased me. but hav-
ing hxed my limit OF price at $4,000, / thought
the house beyond my reach and said so TO the
agent, but he, at the request OF the owner. fol-
lowed me with propositions which / declined
until the property was offered me at 50, ESQ, and
at that price, upon the advice OF the agent /
bought Il. The terms $500 and the balance on
Oct, l were complied with, the title deeds passed,
and SO the property came into my possession. I
have no desire 10 be unreasonable, nor 20 Often
sively intruds myself or family anywhere. /
only wished TO secure q comfortable home in .
respectable neighborhood. and this | think have
wisely and Advantageously done. have ordered
carpets and furniture for the house and coal for
winter use, which Is or should be already deliY-
sred, and We sIs getting ready to moyein a week
Yes; said Mr.. Thomas in reply 20 a question,
nave beer lmportuned not 10 occupy the house,
sentiment upon the subjscti but this does not
influence me, nor do | see how It should in any
which, should have Inducing offers, would be
lust ss purely a business transaction As was its
Mr.. Thomas is Of purely negro parentage. He
Mas born IN Drummondsytlle, Ontario, In 1886,
received his education In the schools there.
since ne was 10 he made hs own way In the
ard on sailing vessels running from Cleveland;
then IN Detroit he was second waiter in the old
Michigan Exchange; then for four Seasons he
Was steward on the steamer Lady Elgin. which
had such a lAmentable fate, and In the winters
WAS connected with the f4moGs TON Andrews
r'suAHrslt In Chicago. Darius the Yrs-1 OF the
War 10 had charge OF CuluUbia Clg0 houss
M plt,e OF GeH. Mcclellan. Fits John ror-
t.. James 0CrdOn BzuletL. aud Others
~ d2tlugulshed; then for three years
Is W. Valet AID butler for Charles J..
Osborne In Mes York. He vas steward on the
AlAmous steamer Virginia when she carried Mrs.
zen DsYk V GeH Orleans from her Vtsit y her