The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1903-01-17

stages of low water. 1 had 40 notice
as a member of the board that TINS tsrm
had been submitted. further than the
mere statement of the owner some three
months prior TO its purchase, he askinG
me il he could interest me IN the pur-
chase Of this farm for state convicts.
/ told him that he could not ana l here
give YOU my reasons for the answer.
This farm has been attempted to be dis
posed of to the state since the admin
lstrstion Of the Hon. w. NJ. Fishback
as governor. 1t has been absolutely i'm
possible during the entire history OF
this farm for any private individual TO
work il successfully. II is subject 60
overflow. more than 500 acres OF tho
best land ON the place at the upper end
thereof having washed and cavcd into
the river. 1t is a narrow strip of land
averaging from une-half to a mile wild
and seven miles long, stretched up and
down the Arkansas River, It is mae
cessible, except by boats during stages
Of high water. and is covered with John
son grass. which is the dread of all
river planters Between il and the rail
road. the FIRST station on which is Var
ner in Lincoln County. il swamp, al
most impenetrable and impossible dur
ing the high water season.
These facts We're known to me,
therefore | told the owner OF the plan
tation, or rather the agent that he
and since the board has undertaken 10
purchase the same. other facts have
come TO my knowledge, which might
have been learned by the other members
OF the board upon proper investigation.
which render this farm absolutely unfit
and undesirable for a convict farm. lay
ing aside and not considering the cN-
travagant and outrageous price agreed 70
be paid for IT, the enormous sum Of $40
600 when it was declined to be rented
for the sum of $1,000 a year Not only
this. but prior TO this time in 1883. Mai.
w. II. Haynes and Gen. b. w. Green
purchased this entire tract Of land for
the sum of 1000 They found IL was
an Improbable purchase at this price,
that II was CaNing and they were com
PEELED 10 build at the upper end Of the
place two very expensive leveCs. which
later washed away, taking with it some
four or hVc hundred acres Of land.
Since that time Or. G.. NJ. Taylor, Of this
city. n member of the levee district of
that section of the state. has placed at
the upper end and around a portion OF
this farm a lcyec. which it Will be nee
eSsaTv for the state to constantly keep
I'm repair, I'm order to preserve the place
and keep il from overlooking. Any Of
these gentlemen, DR., c. NJ Taylor, Mai.
w. n. Haynes. or Gen. r. w Green or
any reputable farmer in Lincoln County
Will tell you upon oath that this land
has never been made profitable by pr
yate individuals, and that II Will take
a great outlay of public work and mon
ely to make it at All suitable for occu-
nancy as convict farm, and that the
price PAID Tor II by the bOald rs at least
double it's real value. some reputable
gentlemen who are thoroughly familiar
with the place placing its value as low
as $4,000
After purchasing this farm the board
agreed TO adjourn until 10 o'clock the
next morning, at which time the board
would meet for the purpose of signing
the papers and formally closing the deal.
Immediately after the board adjourned
| notified Col Moore, Mr.. Urquarts at
torney, that his client was likely to get
into a lawsuit, that | felt outraged at
the conduct OF tho board in this matter
and If possible would enjoin the pay
ment of any money on this place until
the Legislature could pass upon this
transaction. Tho papers were then hur-
ried up and signed that night The
states crop, or the major portion
OF it, $50 bales, was sold the day before
by the financial agent preparatory for
this trade sold too as he claims, un-
der the order of the bourd, on the low
est market that has existed this year
for the sale Of cotton.
| earnestly insist that the House and
Senate appoint a joint committee, con
sisting OF the most practical business
men you have i'm this body, who shall take
ample time to investigate this transac-
ton from beginning TO end and make a
personal examination and inspection Of
this farm; and If i'm your judgment II is
such a trade as ought not TO stand !
insist that YOU Abrogatc this contract
and by statute enforce lien on the
place for the purchase money paid and
empower your chief executive to employ