The herald., 1896-10-09
of this road was through this 81 acres
of land, on which the Water company

of this road was through this 81 acres
had it's reservoir.
The corporation proceeded to resist
the construction of the road, and the
officers of the company notified Mayor
Hazard that the city would not be per-
mitted to build any road through the
land in question, nor would the company
allow dts possession of the land to be
in any way interfered with.
In reply Mayor Hazard informed the
company that the only way the con-
struction of the road through the park
and across the 81 acres of land could
be stopped was by law.
So the park commissioners started to
build the road. The Water company
fenced it up and placed armed men on
the ground to prevent the removal of
the fence.
Mayor Hazard detailed squad Of po-
lice and they proceeded to tear down
the fence and remove it.
Now it must be remembered that this
81 acres was originally part of Elysian
park. The city authorities had decided
to improve it, and as part of the i'm
provement trees and shrubs were be-
ing planted. This drive was being
built, but the Water company had de-
cided that these Improvements should
not be made, and the officials started
Oul ny DuliuOZluS LH6 employees OF In6
park and preventing them from work.
ing.
|, That did not go with Mayor Hazard:
Lthen the Water company fenced in
part of the ground, which was the part
where these Improvements were being
made, closing up the road. After the
fence had been torn down several times
and the, Water company realized that
q resort to- the courts could alone pre-
vent the further improvement of this
park. the corporation secured an in
junction against the mayor and the
park commissioners and stopped, by
order of the court, the further improve
ment Of any Of the park inside this 81
acres Of land.
That everyone may thoroughly under
stand what sort of claim the Water COM
pany had to this 81 acres Of land, it is
l.eDly necessary stoScall attention to the
manner in which the company endeav-
ored to get title to this ground.
On the 29th Of October. 1869, petition
was received by The city council from the
company askingthe city for this ground
This petition was referred to a com
mittee. One member Of the committee
| repoItedsoA August II. 1870, in favor Of
| granting the petition, "as the land was
worthless" Two Of this committee de-
clined to sign this report.
The council committee on lands. how
ever. on august IL. 1870, suggested that
the land be sold to the highest bidder
This proceeding was not wanted, as the
water company, no doubt, believed that
! the land could be obtained without hav-
| ing to pay for it. At this same meet
ing Mr.. Caswell, on behalf Of the water
company. suggested that the council
| ascertain whether or not a compromise
could be made with the water company
by which the reservoir on the plaza
| should be removed In consideration OF
the lands asked for. This will be found
in volume Z, page 145. city records.
Here is a case where the water COM
paRoFwanted tractof land and asked
| thaEit be given to it,. The council com
mitkee on lands recommended that it be
soldto thehighest bidder. and the com.
| pa prepBsed = compromise. One
wq1Hd hardly think that the mere re-
: quest for = piece Of land on behalf OF