The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-01-21

Mr. Page afterwards told witness that
another party had put In a bid for the
same figure. and suggested that they
(Mr Freeman and ''thc other party'D
come together and see what could he
done.
IT WAS NO WATER SCHEME"
Witness said il looked like n partner
snip business. IL so, he would like TO
knoN whom he was dealing with Mr.
Page wouldn't tell but said:
" YOU want to work a water scheme
on the city they are just the people you
are looking for"
II replied" said Mr.. Freeman. "Nlr.
rage | want you to distinctly under
stand that am not working any water
Scheme on the city. j am trying to pro-
tect The city's interest"
WITH MIR. YOUNG.
The witness then explained his deal
ings with Mr.. Young. lie said the latter
came TO him and submitted an option in
which MIR Young required the option
Tor $l' per acre for aii unlimited space
ol time Il reserved the right" said Mr.
Freeman. ito dispose OF the property to
ANYBODY Tor $50 per acre. the difference
10 be Mr.. Youns's share of the profits
rms Mr.. Young did not consider any op-
tion at all. tMr. Freeman's option was
at the rate OF about SIS per acrc)
continuing. witness said: Mr. Young
me III the purchase of this propcrty?'
SAID. am a member Of the Council
and Will have nothing OF this Sort Mr.
Young SAID. i can demonstrate that that
property is worth 100000 to the city,and
why can't we get the benefit of it?'
SAID, l am a member Of the Council, and
my position will not permit me to do
anything OF the sort Mr.. Young said
am In politics. but ! am In IL for
what | can get out Of IT. He then sug-
sesteu that l resign from the Council
ana go INTO this deal. This refused to
do After considering the matter over
hlEnt MI. Young returned to me and
sad That he and his friends couldn't deal
win me Freeman). and would have to
iight me. said, Fight and be damned
look an option on the property for
the sole purpose of protecting the city's
interests, and thinking that if the city
did not purchase the property l would
not lose anything"
SEVERELY CROSS EXAMINED.
Mr.. Freeman was severely cross ex-
amtned by Judge Brooke, i'm the course
of which witness said that the option
brought to linn by Mr.. Young was upon
letter head and in pencil. 1t was not
The paper produced then and there Nv
Judge Brooke, purporting to be the on
ton III question.
EMPHATIC DENIAL
Mr. Freeman emphatic ically denied that
he mad offered Mr. Young any money
or emolument for withdrawing from the
Held of bidding. lie also said that he
never contemplated selling the property
III question to the city. Judge Brooke
wanted to know how Mr.. Freeman pro-
posed TO protect the cItys interests"
by buying the property N SI5 an acre
and reserving the right to sell il to any
person or corporation for $50 an acre
wouldn't the best way be TO offer IL to
the city for SIS an acre?'
Mr.. Freeman: II did, several times"
Judge Brooke: THAT was after YOU
heard that other parties were after the
property?"
Mr.. Freeman: at was after secured
the option | cannot remember every
DAY, date. and minute that TRANSFERRED 1
can not answer all these foolish ques-
tons"
Judge Brooke: Their folly is only
eaualled by the folly of the answers"
NOT THE OPTION.
Continuing his answers, Mr. Freeman
said that the option which Mr.. Young
had given Judge Brooke and which the
latter had produced at this meeting was
not the option which Mr.. Young had
brought TO him The latter interjected
me remark that he would like to see
the option Mr. Freeman offered him
umpiyinG that the option Mr.. Freeman
mad read few minutes before was not
what Mr. Freeman claimed it was)
CORROBORATIVE EVIDENCE.
City Engineer w. IT. Brooke then took
the stand. He testified as to MIR. Free
mans Inquiry regarding the property.
his understanding was that Mr.. Free
man was trying TO get the property
saying If the city wanted it she could
get ii at the price he paid for It, This
was in July. The rest OF the conversa-
tion had escaped him
Mr. James Riddle Superintendent of
the Water Works, was called. He said
that on the night of July Sd. when he
was elected supcrin ntcndent, Mr.. Free
man called and asked me to come with
him to his Office and see some maps he
had of Little Creek water property.
told him | did not care for the maps
Do not remember any reference to city's
obtaining control of it.
Mr. Freeman asked Mr. Riddle if he
did not remember his telling him of the
deal he knew was on foot and asking
him to bring it before the board. He re-
membered the incident.
Mr.. Riddle did not know whether he
was approached in public or private
capacity: did not remember speaking of
Freeman's visit afterward. He did not
remember Mr.. Barron's name being
mentioned in this connection.
81 understood that Mr.. Freeman's sole
Intention was to show me maps we did
not have In the Water Department" /"
said he.
CONTINUED on Second Page.)