The Topeka state journal., 1897-07-01
GARFIELD PARK WOES.
One Reason Why the Park Has
Become so Shabby,
Is Because it is Being Fought
Over i'm the Court.
A. J, Paramore Has Built a House
in the Park and Claims it as
His Homestead.

The small frame house which has
been constructed recently in Garheld
park, near the west fence and little
south of the main entrance, was built
and is occupied by Mr. A j. Paramore
for the purpose of converting Garfield
park into a homestead. 1t is not an
ornament to the park. nor was it
necessity.
Mr.. Paramore owns an interest in the
park. and he now lives within its linn
it's claiming that by so doing he makes
the property his homestead and there
by avoids legal right to foreclosure OF
mortgage which was held against his
share.
Garfield park is now owned by the
Bank of Topeka, A w Knowles and
Mr. Paramore Mr. ParamOre owns
one-fourth of it; his whole right to it
is now contested by his sister, Mrs
Guise, and the matter is now being nti-
gated in the courts.
The Bank of Topeka owns five
eighths of the park and Mr.. Knowles
one-eighth. Mr.. Paramore's interest
was mOrtgaged and some time ago the
mortgage was foreclosed. 1t was then
that he decided to make the move which
he did in order to hold the property
BY building the house and occupying
it he thought to prevent legal action
against him on the score of claiming it
as a homestead.
Mr.. Paramore has to account to the
Bank of Topeka and to Mr.. Knowles
for three-fourths OF the receipts from
the park, above expenses. For a long
time he has had charge, and he is yet
in charge. MarshalFs band has con-
tract with Mr.. Pararnore to care for the
park. This includes the furnishing of
sufficient seating facilities, roads
sprinkled in dusty weather, and every
thing in first class order. For this the
band has to give up 25 per cent of the
gate receipts.
AS is well known, there has not been
a sufficient number OF seats at the park
this year for the concerts. Also, the
drives have not always been sprinkIed.
MarshalPs band members have en-
deavored to have accommodations fur
nished for those who attend the con-
certs, but have as yet been unable to
get Mr.. ParamOre to do so. Mr.. John
Marshall said to a reporter: 1--WE can't
get Mr. Paramore to do anything. He
is living in the park now, claiming that
1t is his homestead. He agreed to
have plenty of seats and benches, but
they haven't appeared yet. He was
to sprinkle the drives. but that hasn't
been done. He told US he hadn't hose
enough, so the band bought 100 feet for
him. We have tried every way possi-
BILE to get things done there. 1t is only
q question of time, think, when Mr..
Paramore will be out of there He
charges US 25 per cent for the park"
Garfield park is estimated by real es-
tate men to be worth $40, 600. An eff
fort has been made to sell three-fourths
of it to MarShaIPS band, so that the
band could have something to say in
the matter of arrangements. The
three-fourths interest which the Bank
of Topeka and Mr.. Knowles own could
probably be bought for from $4,000 to
$4,000. 1t is said to be only question
of time until the one-fourth interest
now held by the Paramore estate will
become the property of the morgagee
1t is now in litigation and is a matter
OF contest between brother and sister
The sale of the fOreclosed portion has
already been set. Mr.. John Marshall
says that the band is not now able to
purchase the three-fourth interest,
With proper management the park
ought to make its owners $4,000 a year
Rather than see it cease to become a
park the people of Topeka would rather
pay for it with an issue of bonds
Rock Island Special