Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-13
HOUSES APPRAISED
More Testimony in the Street Ex-
tension Cases.
VALUE OF THE IMPROVEMENTS
Different Valuations Placed on the
Real Estate.
A N ADJ o q r n NJ E n T

Testimony as to values of lots in Denison
and Leighton's subdivision, one Of the forty
seven in section l Of the approved plan of
street extension, was continued this morn
ing in case 419 before Judge Cox and the
jury of seven appraisers in the District
Court. 1t was thought by counsel for the
land owners that their testimony would con-
clude today The District has witnesses in
rebuttal, and it is doubtful if the case goes
to the jury much earlier than Monday
Tuesday of next week.
Mr.. E. B. Townsend, who testified yester-
day on behalf of the land owners, was
called this morning by Mr. s. T. Thomas,
the attorney for the District for further
cross-eXamination. In reply to inquiries of
Mr.. Thomas. Mr.. Townsend said he is ac-
quainted with the subdivision of University
Place. 1t is near the subdivision in contro-
Versy, and is very desirable one. If lots
had been sold therein during the past two
weeks for eighty cents foot, he would say
the parties selling did under financial
strait OF circumstances, and the sales would
not affect his valuations of lots in Denison
and IeightonS subdivision.
Stating that he valued lot 80 at from 80
cents to 81. Mr. Townsend said he would
not change that estimate, even though
Thos. j. Fisher d Co. had this month offer
ed the lot at 10 cents on their bulletin.
To Mr. w. l.. Cole, Mr.. Townsend said
he did rot place much reliance on prices
exhibited in real estate bulletins, prices
therein generally becoming stale. To Mr..
Donald Mcpherson, the witness said he
thought no property can be bought on
Kenesaw avenue for less than 81 a foot
east of 18th street. Lots west Of 18th street
averaged about 80 cents, he thought.
In marking property on real estate bull
letins do brokers put down the asking or
selling pr:ce?' inquired Mr.. Thomas.
The selling price; We seek to have but
one price," replied the witness.
That is all. Mr.. Townsend remarked
Mr.. Thomas.
Mr.. Tanner, who testified yesterday. also
told Mr.. Thomas that the figures on Fisher
& Co.'S bulletin, 10 cents for lot 50, would
I ct change his estimate of 30 cents.
Il would like very much to buy at Fisher
& Cos price remarked Mr.. Tanner.
You know where their office is, don't
ycu?' inquired Mr.. Thomas.
Il do, but l think you VIII find that they
have published that price for year
more" explained the witness.
II have no doubt Of that rejoined Mr..
Thomas.
Values of Houses.
William C. Morrison, builder, who test-
fed on behalf of the District Wednesday
last, was recalled by Mr.. Thomas stating
that he had since examined the houses in
the subdivision in question Speaking of
house on lot 122 Columbia road, he valu ed
il at $4,000 The one on lot IS, he put at
$500. In tearing down frame houses, the
material Is of little value. The house and
stable on lot I'D, l<enesaw avenue, he plac-
ed at $1,000. That on lot e.. $1,000; lot III.
three houses. sl2,1j0; lot 102, house and
stable, $lo,IU0, lot 14. S4,JUO; lot 100, two
houses Sl,SGU ard S17U0, respectively and
both houses can De moved back at cost of
$500 and $500. respectively; lot 112, four
houses, $l.Ic0, $1,000 and $1,000 each; lot
l2', 800. The little peanut stand on Column
bia road the witness did not value, remark
ing that about all it amounts to is fuel for
a good fire.
On behalf of the owners, Mr. Nathaniel
Wilson explained to the jury that the val
uations of W. Morrison would not be OBJ
jected to, they considering than very fair.
I'VE are delighted to hear that" remark
ed Mr.. Thomas. The District earnestly
desires to be as fair as possible in all
Things in this matter"
other Values.
Mr.. Gustavus Wariield Simpson, the
owner of lot us, on Columbia road, testi-
fed that he purchased the house and lot
very fine one, in July, 1894, for $4,000,
the ground being valued at $3.50 a foot.
Mr.. VIM. Birney called to the stand H.
D. Walbridge, who testified that he is &C
quainted with the. subdivision, and also
with the proposed Improvement of Kene-
saw avenue. Owners some time ago do
mated the land necessary to make the
street seventy feet wide He considers the
tnoroughfare one Of the most commanding
and beautiful in the District 1t is to be
the main entrance to the Zoo and Rock
Creek Park, and it is proposed to make it
not less than ninety feet in width. Lots
50 and IS, he valued at from 20 10 SO cents
a foot; 9G and So 40 to 81 cents. But for
the blight on values, which, in his opinion,
mas been occasioned by the street extern
sion project values would greatly advance.
Lots 20 and 50 he placed at 10 cents to 81.
He would not say that his valuations are
the present market values, but he gave
them as in his Opinion beng Justified Lots
a 81 LOT
18th street and ksnesaw avenue, he placed
at from s1.4O to S1.i0.
To Mr.. Thomas. Mr.. Walbridge said he
is not real estate expert, and admitted
that kenesaw avenue runs through his
Subdivision
Mr.. w. o. Denison, who, with Mr. B. F.
Leighton, made the subdivision, being cali
ed by Mr.. Birney. stated that he is real
estate broker, but is not row interested
financially in the subdivision. Lot 81 he
valued at 10 a foot. For lots 10 and II
he knew of al offer recently of 81 a foot
which was refused, s1.2j being demanded
Lots 81 and 81 he put at 81 cents, and ~;
and % at 80 cents. Lots 10 to 81, inclI-
sive, on kenesaw avenue, he valued at 81
a foot.
To Mr. Thomas. Mr.. Denison said he
valued lot 80 at 81 a foot, and if it is Of
fered at 20 cents, he believes that it is be-
cause the owner Is financially troubled
To Mr.. w. l.. Cole Mr.. Denison stated
that when the subdivision was made. peo-
pie We're not dictated to by an army Off
should
do.
Haven't you been around hunting up
witnesses in this caseo" asked Mr. Thcmos
NO, sir, 1 cannot say that 1 have" re-
piled Mr.. Denison.
Other Testimony.
Mr.. Theo. a. Harding testified that two
or three years ago he purchased lots 14S
to 152 at 81 a foot and thought that they
are worth more than that today.
is the owner of lots 10 and 100, Kenesaw
avenue and 18th street, and thought that
they are worth at least 81 80 a foot.
To Mr.. Thomas, Mr.. Whtlock stated he
is Post Office Department clerk, and that
he purchased the lots in March, 1882 for
thirty-fve cents foot.
One of the jurors desiring to attend a
Nicotine NeutraliZed