The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-12-09
SOLDIERS NEED ROOM
GOVERNMENT WANTS MORE LAND
ON TYBEE ISLAND.
FOR A PARADE GROUND.
WOULD BEAUTIFY AND IMPROVE
FURBER TRACT.

Owners of the SO Lots of Land De-
sired by the Government willing
TO SeII-OHicers of Tybee Island
Think That Satisfactory Arrange
ments VIII he Made-AddItiOnnl
Quarters With Gardens and Wind
ing walks Planned for the Adj
dition If II Is Secured.
The United States is arranging for
the purchase of siXty-six lots of land
on Tybee Island adjoining the present
reservation. 1t is believed that sat
isfactory terms will be made with the
owners of the property and if this
should be the case a splendid and spa
cious parade ground will be laid out.
Some time ago Clerk of Council
Frank w. Storer of Tybee received a
letter from the quartermaster at Fort
Screven asking for the names of the
owners of the sixty-six lots that make
up the Furber tract, which is at the
sixteen-mile post. The representative
of the government stated that the land
is desired for use as a parade ground.
The Furber land is north of the rail-
road track and is bounded on the east
by the ocean and on the north and
west by land now owned by the gov
eminent If the sixty-six lots are ac-
quired additional quarters will be built
on the reservation and the men at Fort
Screven will not be so badly cramped
AS it is now they are crowded for
room. 1t is the purpose of the gov
n
that will extend to the waters edge
and to fence in the entire reservation.
To Beautify the Property.
Mr.. Storer has been informed that it
is the intention of the government TO
beautify the land If they get possession
of it and to have gardens and wind
ing walks on the parade ground. Such
improvements would be of no little
benefit to the island, and the valua-
ton of property would be increased
materially, it is believed. The north
end of the island would be made par
ticularly attractive, although the place
the government is anxious to get hold
of is only two miles from Tybee Hotel.
meeting of nearly all of the prop
erty owners was held yesterday in the
office of Mayor John Ct. Butler of Ty-
bee, but no definite action was taken
The government will treat with the
owners as individuals, and the lot
holders will agree upon the valuation
of their land if possible. Those who
own property on Tybee, and those who
have the best interests of the island
at heart, understand that the improve
ment would mean much for the place.
Opinions were freely expressed at the
meeting and there appeared to be no
disposition on the part of any one to
bleed the government. Some of the
lots have been improved, and of course
are more valuable than those without
cottages.
viii Get the Land.
Mayor Butler and Mr. Storer are
both pleased at the way in which the
lot holders look at the matter, and il
is not believed that the government
will have any difficulty in securing the
entire tract of land. Should the Ty-
bee Railroad be sold and equipped with
electricity, and it has been reported
that such step is being contemplate
ed, property on the island will be-
come even more valuable While those
in authority deny that any negotiations
looking in this direction are now on,
plans for the disposal of the property
by the Central to the Savannah Elec-
trio Company have been seriously dis
cussed in the past 1t is generally be-
lieved that the road will ultimately be
equipped with electricity.