The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-03
SOLD AT A GREAT SACRIFICE.
CONFEDERAT SOLDIERS HOME
BROUGHT ONLY $1,000.

Chances That the Court VIII Not
AtIanta's Depot TrOubIe-LeGisIa-
tive Commission Has Taken II
Up-DepOt Likely to Be on the
same old Site. If Built at AII-Gov-
ernor Has Gone to Chickamauga.
Atlanta. May 2-The Confederate Sol
diers' Home. which represents an outlay
OF money close onto $1,000, was knocked
down at public outcry to-day, for $500,
Joel Hurt. the well known Atlanta inan-
cier being the successful bidder.
The home property was sold under or
der OF court, the proceeds to be used for
the benefit of old soldiers under some
other plan OF aid.
The property consists of 100 acres of
land few miles from the city of Atlanta
and a building that cost $4,000 to erect
less than ten years ago. The price at
which the property was knocked down is
so rldiculously low that it is not believed
the court will approve the sale. few
DAYS ago $1,000 was offered at private
sale and rejected as insufficient 10 war
rant being submitted to the court.
There was a good crowd present at the
court house this morning when the nome
was put up for sale. but bidders were
very scarce. Mr.. Hurt ana Capt. J. w.
English were the only persons who offered
anything at all for the property and af-
ter il was knocked down to Mr. Hurt, he
declared that he did not want it, as he
had only bid to help the sale along, and
was surprised when his bid was accepted
The money with which the home was
built was subscribed by people all over the
country al the solicitation of the late
Henry W. Grady. The state refused to ac-
cept the property as a gift. and maintain
it as home for old soldiers, and as there
were no funds to maintain it privately, 1t
was never opened, but has been falling into
ruins since its completion.
The New Depot Rumpus.
There was another mighty pow-wow at
the capitol to-day over the Atlanta depot
matter but as usual there was nothing
accomplished.
The railroads sent their representatives
to meet the members of the legislative
committee appointed to EoAl after the
states interest in the question, and also
10 appear before the state railroad COM
mission again. During the meeting a con-
ference was held in the Office of Special
Attorney Brown between the legislative
committee. and the railroad men, the lat
ter frankly confessing to the committee
that they were almost hopelessly divided
and had no plans ready to offer to the
railroad commission, which was booked to
hear from them In the afternoon.
Maj. j. W. Thomas, president of the
Nashville, Chattanooga and st. Louis, les.
see of the Western and Atlantic road, said
that the credit of the railroads with the
railroad commission was exhausted, and
he and other representatives of the rail-
roads wanted the legislative committee to
lnlercede with the railroad commission BY
recommending to that body that further
time be given to the roads in the hope that
some plan might be arrived at for the
building of union depot Mai Thomas
said that his road and the Georgia Rail-
road would oppose an elevated depot. and
mat the Central was of the same opinion
If the railroad commission should issue a
preemptory order. he said these roads
would continue TO use the old depot while
the Southern would be the only one COM
PEELED TO go outside and build a new de-
pot thus dividing the terminal facilities of
the roads.
Owns Part of n Street.
one interesting fact developed at the
conference was that the state owns the
land occupied by Pryor street The city
of Atlanta has always refused to agree
10 nave Pryor street closed up. and this
has been one of the stumbling blocks in
the way of some kind of plans being
adopted II appears now that the state
can close up this street if IL wants TO,
despite the protest of the city.
Maj. Thomas told the commission that
the roads had no settled plans. but he
minated If the city of Atlanta would
agree to build a viaduct across White
hail street and a subway under Pryor
street the roads would build a new DEPOT
onNhe present site reaching from Lloyd
TO Whitehall, which would amply accom-
modate the traffic.
Maj. Thomas declared that the freight
business was the most important item
with his road and also with the others
saying that he could not afford to cripple
his freight yards when freight earnings
were 100000 a month and passenger earn
ings only $4,000.
Summing up the situation. which Is a
burning question locally, should a new
union depot be built, it looks as if II viii
be on the present site without being ese-
waited, and that the roads will have their
way about covering Pryor street T. on
ference between the city and railroads Will
be held Thursday on these points, and the
result then placed before the railroad
commission for further consideration.
Gone to Chickamnu&a.
Gov. Gambler and party left this after
noon i'm special car over the Western
and Atlantic Road for Chickamauga to
dedicate The Georgia monument erected on
that historic field to the memory of the
brave soldiers from this state who fell
there. The Governor was accompanied by
his military staff, and in the party were
also Mrs Gambler and a number OF other
ladies. and the members of the Georgia
commission, which had charge of the
monument.
The party will occupy quarters at the
Southern Hotel tonight, and tomorrow
VIII make trip TO Lookout Mountain
and TO Chickamauga to participate i'm the
ceremonies attendant upon the dedication
OF the Kentucky monument The Govern
or VIII not return to the city until FRIDAY
Thursday being the day for the Georgia
ceremonies.
GEnHf.TAsG