The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-01-21
SEARCH AFTER TRUTH
The Investigation Partially Completed in the Matter Of Charges
Against Chairman Freeman Of the Water Committee
Of the Councils and a "Son1ebody' Else.

there was one little hitch, due. he
thought, 10 the fact that Mr. Freeman
ala not want him 10 make over s. an
acre out OF the city. He was willing
that he should make s. and no more
THE REASON WHY.
Cross examined by Mr.. billiard. counsel
Tor Ar Freeman. Mr.. Young's testimony
did not develop any thing new. other
than that Mr.. Freeman seemed to object
TO the option which he took TO him on
the grounds that he (Young) and those
associated With him in the attempted
zeal would not agree to fix n stipulated
price on the property when it should be
disposed of to the city, should they
Noung and his friends) set possession
OF IL The main reason he did not take
the property was, he thought, because OF
the limit Of time.
MIR. II. l.. PAGE.
Mr. II. l.. Page was the next witness.
lie said the property. ahou; 900 acres.
had been placed in their hands to sell
Tor $4,000 1le did not know whether he
approached Freeman or Freeman ap-
preached him, but he opened up ncgotia-
lions with Mr.. Freeman, who first offer
eu S'oVO0 FOR the property. and who. he
thought had n map of the property
made Mr.. WV. Old. acting for the heirs
OF the estate, said that the latter would
not consider an offer of s30.009, but II
Mr. Page would bring an offer OF $50
900 he would submit it to the heirs In
New York. Mr. Old required Il check
Tor 81 900 as n guarantee, and Mr. Free
man, having decided to give $50 600 for
the property, deposited the check with
MIR. Old.
COltROBORATES MIR. YOUNG.
Later Mr.. Young came to Mr.. Pages
oilice and offered $4,000 for the proper
ty. Mr.. Freeman was an hour before
MI. Young. lie Page)' suggested that
as MI Young wanted the water only he
Q'agdC WOULD see Freeman with n view
to ascertaning if Freeman would sell
the water privileges. Mr. Freeman
wanted $50 an acre, but finally reduced
the figure 10 $40, with certain provisions
relative 10 the high ground around the
water The New Yok heirs refused to
sell the property to Mr.. Freeman for $685.
600
Mr.. Freeman took the map North for
The purpose OF interesting some parties.
He said he was buying the property for
the lumber Witness knew little about
the futile options of Mr.. Young and Mr.
Freeman.
ALSO JUST TOO LATE"
Mr.. w. ii. II. Trice followed. He said
that on June goth Mrs. NJ. l.. Mercer had
written TO him asking him to purchase
her and large farm with house, etc.
on it. Witness called on Mr.. Old and
secured an option on the property in
question for $4,000. lie took the option
To Mrs. Mercer, who signed Il and gave
Mr. Trice $1,000. $1,000 To he deposited on
the option, and 5000 To 30 on the commis-
sion. When he went To Mr.. Old with the
check, MIR. Old said that he CTrice) was
Just too late. His option had expired
some other parties had gotten ahead of
him. Mr.. Old thought he could get SiO,-
900 for the property.
KNEW NOTHING ABOUT 1T.
Judge ]. NJ. Keeling knew nothing in
The wide world about II except what
Mr. Young had told him." and describ-
Ell several conversations which he as n
lawyer had with Mr.. Young. Mr.. Wright
did not get his information from him.
The Judge produced paper which he
had drawn for Mr.. Young-a sort OF
deed OF transfer TO be used between the
latter gentleman and Mr.. Freeman,
should Mr.. Freeman secure the proper
ty. i was filed with the stenogiapher.
Mr.. j. j. Little.
THE OTHER SIDE.
This concluded Mr.. Wright's side of
the case, and Mr. Freeman was called
as The first witness for the defense
Mr.. Freeman told how he had been
approached by Mr.. Leigh to purchase
the Gordon property several times. be-
ginning MS far back as two years ago,
ana finally, early in the spring he went
10 look at the property. examined the
timber, but had no idea of purchasing
the property. He, however, offered Mr..
Leigh $4,000 for it, Il short time after
that witness went to the Eastern Shore.
ana talked over the matter with former
partner, real estate man, who said
he thought It would be u good bargain
IL the property In question could be pur-
chased for $4,000.
SAW MIR. BROOK.
Coming back to the city, he met Mr..
w. Il. Brook, City Engineer, who told
him that survey had been made OF the
property. He then came down to Mr.
brooks Office and got the survey and
report of the Water Board on the prop
erty. He then went to Mr.. Leigh and
withdrew his bid, saying he would have
nothing more 10 do with the matter.
After that he was told another party
was after the property, and July Sd he
heard that Mr.. Herbert Smith MIR.
Young, and others We're after 1t. He
the city ought to do something in the
matter. Barron referred him to Mr..
Riddle, whom he saw. and laid the sit
uation before him.
DEALING WITH MIR. OLD.
He learned on July Sth. automatically.
that the parties already mentioned were
ready TO purchase. thinking to protect
the city's interests. he accordingly
went to Mr.. Old and asked him to draw
up such an option paper as he thought
suitable. This Mr.. Old did. CThe paper
was read) Witness said he put in a bid
then for $4,000. and deposited O check
for $1,000 with Mr. Old.