The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1900-09-14
MUCH OPPOSITION.
Business Men Rather Opposed to
Sibley Park Extension.
Do Not Like Idea of Going Into Debt Any
MOre.==Some Think the Price
is Too Large.

On Friday evening last the commit
tee on parks of the city council recon-
mended that the city buy the Burmis-
ter property, some 81 acres, lying be-
tween the mound and the Minnesota
river. The land is needed to complete
the park, but the price asked for it
Sc, 900, is considered too high by
many of our citizens To find out
the public feeling in this matter, the
Free Press has interviewed a number
of our business men, and gives their
opinion. Quite a number seen ex-
pressed their opinion on the subject,
but did not wish their names given
and their opinions are summed up at
the close. The concensus of opinion
was against buying at this time, there
being strong objection expressed
against going into debt for it. Those
seen said:
Jno. C. Thro-''I should like to see
the city own the tract of land, it would
make the park complete. But I think
the price is too high. Would con-
slider s., 600 fair price. The city can
wait ten years longer and still buy
the same at the price now offered.
The land is not worth over 800 an acre.
Ed. Schumacher-''I should favor
the purchase very much, but think the
price altogether too high. The city
can afford to wait and still purchase
the same at price named. -
B. c. Taylor "Am in favor of the
city buying same and don't think the
price unreasonable and would be a
proper addition to the park.
G W. Babcock-''I think the price
reasonable. If same was divided into
lots it would make about ITO lots, in
Guiding alleys and streets, and make
the cost about $50 per lot. Am very
much in favor of the city purchasing
same.
n. Peterson-''I say buy the tract
by all means. The price is very rea-
sonable.
Clement Schroeder-''I favor buying
the land for it would make a fine ad
dition to the park. They no doubt
will buy it sometime and 1 don't think
they can purchase it any cheaper.
Think the price is reasonable. /"
John Murphy-"Am opposed to the
buying of the same and don't think
the land is worth it..
H. B. Perrin-''It would be fine
addition to the park and the city
ought to secure it while they can,
they will want it sometime. Do not
know what property is worth out
there and can therefore not judge as to
price.
D. G. Davies-''While Mr.. Burmis-
ter was alive I had the piece of land
listed at $1,000 and I think the price
asked is reasonable. Think the city
ought to buy it,.
J. G.. Noe-''Think the city ought
to own it, but dislike the idea of hav-
ing the city go into further indebted
ness Think S., 900 a fair price, al
though the price asked is about the
average paid for the present park.
A number of other citizens who de-
sire not to have their names men
toned stated their views on the sub
ject and in the majority of cases dis
proved the idea of purchasing this
tract of land. "Why not have the city
purchase a right of way around this
knoll through this land" was the re-
mark made by several. In general the
sentiment is that the price asked is
too high and that the city ought not
to contract any more new debts before
getting rid of the old ones The park
at present is large enough and the land
can be purchased most any time in the
future for the price asked If the
question comes to vote by the people
which it must, for there is no money
at present available for such pur
pose, the majority of merchants are
inclined to think that the question
will be defeated If the city was free
from debt it might alter the ques
ton.