The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-06-18
COL. r. P HosoooD, JR., CHOSEN.
Rapid Work Of Divorce MILL assessors Plac-
ing Low Valuation on Properly.
Especial to News and Observer

4
Greensboro, N. c., June 17-Inquir.
today brings the information that the city
assessors are making very conservative val
uations. property IN every instance be
ing increased over the assessment of -four
years ago, but not to such an extent al
to cause complaint OF excessive valuation
from the owners
Discussing this question of assessment
this morning two representative men from
near by counties, were making the same
complaint that their property had been
assessed entirely too low. They both
agreed that if the same was being done
in other sections, the greatest question in
North Carolina for the next four years
would be that of raising sufficient revenue
to run the State government.
| One of these gentlemen said that tract
of land he gave seven hundred dollars for
six years ago, and was worth $1,000 to-
day, was assessed at $3.50 and a house
and lot in thriving village that was
worth every cent of $500 was valued at
500. He said it was not his business to
raise the assessors figures, especially as his
nefghbors' property was being similarly
dealt with. The comparison, coming from
another county, declared that his exper-
fence was almost Identical. except that
farm he owned, which he valued at $10-
600 was assessed at 81, 500 and 5000 house
at $45. Both of these men concluded that
law should be passed exempting from
taxation the property of assessors, so that
the Inducement to such ridiculous under
valuations would not exist.
Col. F. P. Bobgood, Jr., who recently re-
mo 1resd tf.G n Slor Ovf
tice law, was last night unanimously
elected captain of the Gate City Guards,
to succeed Captain S. Glenn Brown, re-
signed. Captain Hobgood was formerly
State inspector of the State Guard, and
has filled every position in the Guard
from private to colonel. His training in
Horner's Military School and his military
bearing. coupled with captivating per-
sonality, make him peculiarly fit for the
present position.
In the Superior court here yesterday,
during a lull in big case then in progress.
lawyers took advantage of the occasion.
and used the jury to get divorces. The
pleadlngs In two cases were read. the
witnesses examined, two jury verdicts rem
dered and two divorce dccrees signed, all
In the space of twenty minutes. One case
was that of a white man getting divorce
from his wife for desertion, the other a
Wnlte lady asking for separation on ac-
count OF abandonment. A strange feature
In both cases was the testimony of the
parties concerned that there had never
been quarrel or disagreement between
the parties, the defendants simply leaving,
and failing to come back
The lumber to build the ten thousand
dollar addition TO the court house Is
being placed upon the ground. Just
across the street workmen are busy max
ing excavation for the new addition to
the Federal court building.
Prof. NJ. H. Holt. of Oak Ridge, was
elected a member of the executive COM
mittee of the North Carolina School for
the Deaf and Dumb at its recent ses-
sion in Morganton.
Rev. DIR. l.. w. Crawford left today for
Danville. to officiate tonight at the mar
riage of DR.. Charles Robertson, a promi-
nent physician of this city, to Miss Mabel
Hill. of Danville.
Another marriage of interest tonight
is that of Miss Fawcett. of Mount Airy
and Mr.. d. X. Pope assayer O. &c mint
at charlotte.