The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-10-20
City Condemns Sliding Ground
North of Yesler Way.
PUBLIC PARK TO BE MADE,
Property Now Rough and Unsightly
and Drains Constructed, and Con-
veFted Into . Pleasure Resort
Averted BY Purchase OF Ground.

This is an era OF public park requirement
in the history Of Seattle Yesterday the
city began the service OF legal proceedings
in a superior court suit that VIII not only
result in the condemnation OF two acres
Of ground IN the heart Of the city Tor
place OF public recreation. but also In the
final settlement OF the vexatious litigation
that has grown GU, of the landslides on
courthouse hill north OF Yesler way.
The condemnation suit, which Is now on
file In the court mentioned. Is brought in
accordance with an ordinance passed at
the regular meeting OF the council on Oc-
tobsr 2, and has for lis object the ac-
quirement by the city Of approximately
two acres OF the sliding hillside bounded
by Fifth and Seventh avenues. Terrace
street and Yesler way. When the city
has obtained title to the property, 1t will
be given over to City Engineer Thomson,
who Will have il graded down and con-
verted into public playground.
Plans for Improvement.
Bulkheads will be constructed on the
west side of Seventh avenue, on the north
side OF Yesier way and on the east side
of Fifth avenue The hillside between
these boundaries will be graded down 10 a
solid foundation and seeded down TO grass
and planted with trees and shrubbery.
Thereby the city officials hope that the
averted. And IL not. the city will be in
position to deal with them on its own
ground and without Interference from
property owners.
The sliding OF the Seventh street hill
commenced eleven years ago, when Yesler
way was graded through. A stratum of
blue clay was encountered during the prog
ress Of that work. which upon the removal
OF the supporting earth began to move
downward iSndSHhpS
cost the city in damages many thousands
Of dollars. James Parke. whose property
was the first TO Do affected BY the slides.
brought suit for damages and was success
full. In his case the supreme court held
that the city's liability for damages to
property similarly situated would never
cease and that every time landslide oc
CURED the city would In law be held re-
sponsible for damages. This decision hast
ened the citys determination to secure
title to the sliding hillside
The property 10 he condemned consists
Of twelve lots In all. ten In Terry's second
addition and two in Borens addition On
it stand three good dwelling houses and
two OF little value. These will pass to
the city. under the condemnation proceed
ings. and will be sold and removed from
the condemned ground. The estimated
value OF the property Is $4,000 but in It's
present condition IL has little market val
tie, being for the most part unirnproved
and furrowed with Iandslides.
Parties to the Suit.
The defendants in the condemnation suit
are: George +. Allen, Of Woodbury., Conn;
Eva Buzzard, Charles A. Fransan OF La
Page county. Ill: William c. Fricxie Ger
man Savings and Loan Society Edwin
Ivey. Charles Legge. Luther d. Mann. W.
s. Morrissey, Lizzie Newman. NJ J Page.
Of Mount Vernon. n. Y: James Parke e.
q. Rockwell. Merry d. Smith. Dora SAILING
er Stanley and Ceylon r. Williams. Owing
10 the fact that number OF them are no;
residents Of this state. process will have
TO be served upon them by publication. Th's