The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-07-21
SCHOOL SITE VALUES
Testimony Begun Before the
Commissioners Appoint
ed to Condemn.
CITY SCORES MURPHY
Manning Avenue Property In Dis
pute-McGrath's Poor Mem
DRY as to the Transfer
of the Lots.

Douglass represented the city, and Mr..
Allan L. McDermott was counsel for
Thomas NJ. Murphy, the owner of five lots
which he bought for $500 after it was
said that the city had decided to buy the
land.
Did you receive notice of the citys de-
sire to purchase the site before you re-
ceived the deed?" asked Mr. McDermott
of Murphy.
mo, SIR
Murphy said that he only received no.
tice when Mr.. Midlige and Mr. Young
called on him to negotiate the purchase
and that ne secured a claim on the prop
erty May d.
In reply to Mr.. Douglass questions he
said that he had heard the city intended
to buy the Pahsade avenue site, but he
had been after the place SO long that he
wanted to get the property as quickly as
possible.
But you heard at the time pursued
the Corporation Attorney that the city
had decided to buy the land?"
"Yes"
when you bought the land of Mr.
Kelly again asked Mr. Douglass, did he
say anything to you of the probable pur-
chase of the site by the Board of FL
nanca?"
Nothing replied Murphy
What did you say to Kelly?"
Il didn't say anything I had been af-
ter the property so long, Murphy an
swered.
Mr. McDermott put several questions
to the witness and he replied that he read
in The Jersey City News that the city
had decided to buy the land some time
after he had decided to purchase suit
able school sites. He could not say what
date he read it in THE News but he
was sure it was after he negotiated with
Kelly.
Would you recognize the article in
the newspapers about the sites?''
Murphy said that he had read so many
articles pertaining to the sites that he
could not tell which particular article
had first attracted his attention.
Corporation Attorney Douglass read the
minutes of the Board of Finance in
which the purchase of the sites was or
dered to be referred to a Committee of
the Whole.
Patrick O'Brien was then called He
prepared the plans for the building which
was partly erected ON the site when it
was bought. He said he was to receive
per cent. as his compensation. The
house was to cost $4,000 Excavation had
He valued the labor performed on the
building at $3.50. He read afterwards in
the newspapers of the proposed acqui-
sition of the site by the city.
John Tully who excavated the ground
said the work cost s115.S2 and the rock.
SPOT. .55.
John M Kelly, real estate agent, said
;, NJ IL
property was made May 81, but the search
was not finished until June Z. He had
been trying to settle the Brown estate for
five years and Murphy had been after the
property since 1894.
Mr.. McDermott in closing his case said
that Murphy bought the property before
the city had decided to take it. The city
was no better than railroad and should
he said was entitled beyond the price
of the house, the amounts he had paid
for the search 500, the cost of excavation
and other monies spent 3
Commissioner Haunerschlag at this
point brought out from Murphy that he
began excavating June Z.
What day did the Mayor sign the reso-.
luton to purchase the site?"' the Com
missioner asked of Mr.. Douglass.
June 81 was the reply.
Don't you think that you were rather
previous in going on with work after the
city had decided to buy?'' asked the Com
INJURED something about wanting to get
on with the building of a house.
Commissioner Hammerschlag said that
the $500 paid was a good price for that
corner.
THE city has agreed to pay IS, 500' for
the property said Mr.. Douglass.
And we ought TO have the 500 for
search and survey and the excavation .
said Mr.. McDermott.
II don't think Murphy should be paid
for that excavation. He had no business
to do. that work when he heard that the
city had decided to buy. the site, said
Commissioner Hammerschlag, and turn
ing to the architect he asked him If II
was customary to begin excavating be
fore the estimates We're in for the build
ing. The architect replied that it was
and Mr.. McDermott cited case within
his own experience.
treat his client fairly and he ought to
have sS,5e0 with interest, $500 for archi-s
tect's fee. 1888 for the excavation and $500
compensation ms to Mr.. Murphy. making in
Mr.. Douglass. in summing up for the
city, said that the Commissioners find
and the city did not approve, it did not
bind the award. and if Murphy didn't
like the award he could go to the Circuit
ages AS for Murphy, Mr.. Douglass said
that he bought the lots knowing that the
city was sfter them. Murphy was only
chase The Work done was peculiar and
was merely an excuse The Commission
ers. ne said should award only IS 500 and
the city would pay that sum.
I'VE won't take that, replied Mr.. Nc
Dermott, I'VE have paid out more than
that
The proceedings then were adjourned
It Is understood Murphy will have
struck Jury TO hear his case.
Yesterday afternoon Messrs. !. Romaine
and c. J. Cronan appointed Commission
ers to condemn the land purchased by the
Board of Finance for a school site on the
corner of Manning and Johnston avenues.
The property belonged to Mrs. Alice Nc
Grath She was represented by Counsel
lors John A. DENIM and J. J, Mulvaney,
and her tale of wee was that the. two
lots were worth $500, which her husband
agreed to sell for 81 900 each.
Mrs, McGrath when called to testify
said that the property belonged to her
absolutely and she never authorized any
one to sell 1t. II her husband negotiated
the purchase with Mr. James Young, rep
the city, it was done without
her sanction and knowledge.
Her husband was then called and de-
MED that he had ever signed any paper
agreeing to sell his wife's property He
was positive about that.
S Look at that paper. said Corporation
Attorney Douglass, handing him the
paper referred to. and tell me If you
ever saw that before?''
.Ye-e-s. I believe have. said McGrath.