The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-02-01
THIRD edition.


The committee TO investigate tho
purchase OF the park lands by the
Park Commission met last evening.
There were present Mayor Short
l,dge, George II. Bates, George W.
bush and City Councilman O'Neil,
ipyre and Ratledge comprising the
commltte; City Solicitor George A.
Elliott, William g. Spruance, counsel
for the purchasers Of tho land under
discu ssion; Dennis J. Mention aud
William III. Candy, who made tho pur.
chnses. Mayor ShorLlidge presided
and William s. Lednum. the clerk OK
Council, acted Rs secretary.
Mayor Shoitlldge had refused to
align the order to pay for the lands
because tho amount was above that
named In the ordinance. MIR. Candy
afterward asked him II he would elgn
the order II the excess was deducted,
hut he said no, as he understood 10000
had been made on the purchase Of
Klra wood Park. He again refused to
siRn the order TO pay for the land be-
tween the Brundywtne creek and Wa
5sHset street, Adams and Van Buren,
streets for the same reason. II was
his lntrntion to have all purchases in
yestigatsd. MIR. Tyre. Nix. Spruanco.
Mr.. Ratledge, Mr.. Bates, Mr.. Bush
and MIR. O'Neil wanted all the rumors
Investigated, but It would oa better TO
go on with the Kirk wood plot at iirst.
William NJ. Candy. tho president OF
the Board OF Park Commissioners said
It was true that two persons inade
5000 out OF the purchase of Kirkwood
PARK. though the transaction was not
dishonest.
The ordinance to purchase the lands
was passed, the lands to be purchased
for $4,000. A new Council delayed
the matter and when 1t catne here tc
pay the money the whole sum wal
ei4.062.
Mr.. Ratledge asked II Council, o.
only some OF the members had aRreet
to pay for the land and Mr.. Candy re
piled that the conversation was will
the Finance COMMITTEES.
Mir. Candy said one lot purchased
from Kirk Thompson was considered
the more valuable. but he agreed Il
sell 1t for $650o 1t was sold through
Joseph l.. Carpenter, Jr, and tho othc
from Miss Mary Forman Day TO
$500 through Philip X. Clark.
Mr.. Candy said the f625O was paid I,
Hiss Day through Philip II. Clark a
ageut. A check for $3.50 was drawn Ii
favor OF MIR. Clark for commission
On the Thompson lot $1,000 was draw
IN favor OF Mr.. Thompson. and 500 Ii
fevor OF Mr.. Carpenter Tor COIN mission
Mayor Shcrtiidge said tile lot Wal
eoid by william C.SUruanee to Ihoina
Tyre for $500 and by him to hirh
Thompson for $500 and by him =
Messrs. Mention and Candy Tor 4b3oV
Mr., Candy said 1t was purch aei lei
years ago when property was chelp
and in addition MIR. Thompson pnl'
1880 on it. The house now rents 10
Ola per month. Tho price paid wa
eid foot.
The money to purchase the lots wa
borrowed from the Equitable Guui
rantee and Trust Company. IN
amount borrowed was Si2. 800 at pc
cent interest. The loan was for Ton
months. 1t was then renewed at % ph
cent for three months longer lot sit
600. 1t was renewed at various timee
but later ut q per cent. The pre- son
amount is sll, SO, A due tie Equitatl
Company. $751;.
Mi. Meuton was then out on tn
stand with Mr.. Candy, and question
ed at the sam time. He said that l.
had talked to tho members OF tour
oil and the Finance Comnittse direct
ed the purchase but not TO pay NOR
than $4,000 Mr., Perkins was pres
ent but lie did not know whethe
Council had authorized 1t. Mr., Hhl
klns said he did not remember BEN
consulted In the matter.
MIR. Mention said that they arrived
the value OF the lots by their ow
Judgment and by asking tile price q
other lots and BY consulting othe
people. Tive years before he la
tried to purchase one OF the lois an
was asked $1,000 Cor IT.,
Philip r. Clark stated that lie Hrs
sold tho property IN exchange Tor
farm there was then 5000 ngalnS
Tie property at that time. which WI
paid Off Mr.. CaNby first offered stOI
Tor the property when $500 was asGe,
Later Mr. Mention offered TGJO), whtG
was paid IL could not nave hoe
bought FOL less. He thought Sl4
els loot was the value OF the PR
perty
The committee adjourned to met
Tonight, after the meeting OF coui
o. ....