Fergus County argus., 1902-07-16
UP TO BLACkFoRD.
Efforts to Settle With Mrs. Shields
Result in Complications.

Efforts to Settle With Mrs. Shields
Result in Complications.
Last week it looked as though the
damages. If any, to be paid to Mrs.
Shields by the city for right of way
through her land would be adjusted
by arbitration and an honest endeavor
was made to that end. But at the
present writing affairs are very much
mixed.
Geo. NJ. Stone. arbitrator for the
city, and Robert Jackson, arbitrator
for Mrs. Shields, visited the pipe line
and each made proposition. Mr..
Stone offered $3.50 and Mr.. Jackson
asked $3.50. An effort was then made
to obtain third arbitrator but among
dozen or more suggested by Mr..
Stone Mr.. Jackson could not find a
satisfactory man and several tenders
made by Mr.. Jackson were respect
fully declined by Mr.. Stone. Friday
Mr.. Stone inquired whether Mr.. Jack
son would split the difference and ac-
cept $500. Mr.. Jackson thought he
would but next morning declined and
said $500 was the very lowest figure
to which he could agree. Since that
no meetings have been held and 1t was
understood Monday that Mr.. Jackson
had left town.
Monday afternoon w. M. Blackford,
attorney for Mrs. Shields, made an
informal proposal to Mayor Cook for
a settlement at $500. The council
informally considered it and positive
ly declined to give more than $400,
price which they deemed quite $3.50
too high. This counter proposal was
to be accepted that evening or be con.
sidered withdrawn and Mr.. Blackford
declining to accede, the negotiations
are of.
Contractor Walsh and his crew are
working in the Shields property and
will continue to do SO. II molested
they will act upon the advice Of the
city attorney. The city may COM
mence condemnation proceedings or al
low Mrs. Shields to take the initiative
and ask an Injunction. AS Mr.. Jack
son accepted $3.50 and three-quarter
inch tap for right of way across his
land to and from the reservoir and
for a reservoir site the councilmen
do not consider Mrs. Shields can rea-
sonably obtain $500 for a simple right
of way across frog pond and a short
distance on what will be an extension
of First avenue, when the land is plat
ted.
Trenching is progressing rapidly
and satisfactorily and Manager Hoben-
sack of the Judith Hardware Co. in
formed us yesterday that they ex.
pected the first car load of pipe to
reach Lewistown Monday.
Work on the excavation for the res
ervoir is also under way.
This morning, and since the above
was written, Mrs. Shields attempted
to stop work in her field. Mayor
Cook was summoned and Mrs. Shields
informed him that her attorney. Mr..
Blackford, had told her that the city
had declined to pay any damages at
all. When the mayor told her Of the
previous proceedings with Mr.. Black
ford and the city's willingness to pay
any damages which might be settled
upon by the arbitrators. she appeared
surprised. She was questioned con-
corning the city's offer Of $400 on
Monday and replied that she had told
Mr.. Blackford to accept that amount.
An evident disagreement between
principal and attorney having compli.
Gated matters. Mrs. Shields consent
ed to the city continuing work and
just what will be the next move by
Mr.. Blackford. the city, arbitrators or
Mrs. Shields is not known. Tuesday
Mr.. Blackford told Mr.. Cook that he
would advise Mrs. Shields to accept
s400 II the city would pay this fee.
the amount Of which was not mention
ed. This proposal was not even con.
sidered by the mayor. At 10:30 both
the Shields and Mr.. Blackford had
agreed to accept s400 without any ex-
tras attached and 1t will probably be
settled on these lines.