The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-05-07
CITY LAND SOLD
TO DAVID KEITH
Friends of Buyer Believe He
Will be PhiIanthropic.
WAS WANTED FOR SCHOOLS
BID FOR POLICE STATION COR
NER WAS REJECTED.

AZ EMBERs of the board Of educa-
MI ton who have striven so earnest
ly to secure Exposition square at
a nominal price from the city as a site
for a future High school building. saw
the ten-acre tract sold last night for
$4,000 This was deemed to be the
worth of the property. but it was far
beyond the boards means. The pur-
chaser is David Keith whose bid to
the city council contained a certified
check in the sum of $4,000. as a guar
antee Of good faith. The only other bid
der was F. f. McGurrin, whose sealed
proposal was for SOS 600. The high bid
was promptly accepted.
Although he declares that he bought
the land for an investment, friends of
Mr. Keith believe that he is preparing
to surprise the people by performing
an act of philanthropy in connection
with the public schools of this city.
Late last night Mr. Keith said he had
not bought the square for the school
board, and added that ne had not de
termined what disposition ne would
make Of his new acquisition
Some of the cOuncilmen believed that
AAAE RAN1NtANE VI lllCAlluNAo u lllC EGAlOuA
board at the meeting to hear read the
bid of the president Of the Silver King
Mining company. had some significance
as indicating Mr.. Keith's interest in
the needs of the schools. but none of
the school trustees would admit that
he knew for what purpose the wealthy
and generous man seemed determined
to Outbid others for this splendid piece
of land.
This Offer Was Declined.
For the 12Ox1s5 feet on the corner
west of the police station there was
only one bid, that Of w. T. Cotton who
offered $37, 800, and enclosed a certified
check for 10 per cent of the amount.
By reason Of the fact that a mistake
had been made in the published no.
tice to bidders in not stating that a
ten-fOOt right Of way at the south end
of the lot would be reserved by the city
as an entrance to the rear of the jail
and fire department headquarters. the
council voted to reject the bid and re-
advertise
Tho next matter to engage the coun-
ciPs attention was an objection by
Councilman Robertson TO the report Of
the committee on waterworks fixing tho
compensation OF the assessors of water
rates at SO a day. The assessors are
about through with their labors, and
had been at work long time before
the council was aware of SuDerintend-
ent Hines action with the committees
consent in appointing them. Robert
sons objection was aimed at the rate
of pay proposed to be allowed, for here
tOfOre it has been at the rate of $3.50.
Besides the councilman from the
Fifth precinct. Sharp. Spence and Vigus
voted against the committees report.
Pumping Scheme Delayed.
BY vote Of Z to it was decided
to grant the committee on municipal
laws and the city attorney an addi-
I tiOnal week TO report upon the proposed
contract with the canal companies to
permit them to share in the city's ap-
propriated right TO raise and Iawer the
level of Utah lake, and to join in the
pumping scheme. Fernstrom urged that
the matter be taken out of the COM
mittee's hands.
Fire Chief Devine reported that it
would cost s4.500 payable in December.
for a modern hook and ladder truck TO
be shipped in August The purchase
was referred to the committees on
finance and fire department for recon-
mendatiOn.
On recommendation of the commit
tee on FIRE department. Chief Devine's
appointment of W. H. Burnett to fill a
vacancy in the department was con-
firmed.
Driveway to Fair Grounds.
A resolution by E. H. Davis was
adopted authorizing the expenditure of
$1,000 for the improvement of First
North street as a driveway to AgricuI-
tural park
City Engineer Kelsey called attention
to the necessity Of laying a new water
main on the south side of South Tenn
pie street before that street is paved
from State street to the Oregon Short
Line passenger depot. The cost of this
work is estimated at SIC, 457.75, and Of
placing valve boxes on Third South be-
fore paving. at S327.6o, and the board of
public works was directed to proceed
with the construction, under contract.
On request of the president. DR..
Lyons. permission was given to the
Utah State Medical society TO occupy
the council chamber next Tuesday
and Wednesday for the society's annual
meeting.
The regular semi-monthly payrolls,
aggregating Ss,S27.91, were referred for
approval