The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1905-02-02
TIE FAIR GROUNDS
Shall the City Acquire Property
for a Park?

olOckIoiutTS III the Falf ASsoclall, II
and the public in general that a state
ment OF present status of the fair
grounds proposition be made. Over a
year ago the fair grounds consisting
of 40 acres with buildings were duly
advertised and sold ut sheriff's sale to
satisfy Judgement secured by Yeo-
mans Bros. q Hodgins Lumber Co.
for materials used on said grounds.
The Fair Association Of course had
due notice but did not appear ut said
sale to care Tor its interests SO let the
matter pass by default.
At this sale several citizens were
present among them Messrs. Horace
Fishback, John Messerschmidt and
myself. Fishback. Mess sscrschmidtand
myself We're evidently there to look TO
our personal interests and to bid on
the property should circumstances
warrant. We were not there as direc-
tors OF the association as no such
authority had been delegated. We
each expressed Il desire to have the
city secure title to the property to be
held for general public good both
county and city.
Before the sale was called by the
sheriff Fishback, Messerschmidt and
held conference and decided not
to interpose bid one against the
other but rather that one should bid
and should the property come to him
he should have it for one year subject
to purchase by the city for public pur-
poses at 4 figure equal to price paid
plus-T per cent interest for them held.
Also that should the city or citizens
fail to purchase for this purpose then
the Successful bidder should advertise
the property for sale to highest bidder
at some convenient time and place
thatall OF proceeds above cost price
together with interest and expenses
should be turned over to the Fair
Association to be distributed by that
association to stockholders.
With this arrangement Mr.. Fishback
was requested TO bid and the property
passed to him in consideration of
81 900 which ] understand satisfied
the judgement and paid the
state the balance due on said land, etc.
hn hnr ,f lad. al
claim to property by the Fair Associ-
! tion any stakeholder. Since that
time nothing has been done because
| other expensive public matters have
had the right of way, but now the cit
liens must say say yes or no to the
proposition OF purchase.
About year ago visited the city
council relative to the matter, at which
time the opinion prevailed that the
city would accept title without incum-
brancc on the property and without ex-
pensc TO city and thereafter care for it.
We think the city would still do this
/ We propose now that the Commercial
club take the matter in hand at once
and take steps to provide the funds
necessary to satisfy the eleven or twelve
| hundred dollars and have Mr.. Fish
back deed to the city the property or
have him deed to the Commercial club
and the club in turn deed to the city
! The city can secure from rents and
| privileges sufficient to keep the grounds
in repair and possibly plant trees and
improve the park. The street commits
siOner might be made Park Commits
sioncr ex-ofiicio and thus little extra
expense would attach. Parties arC
are ready now to do something along
this line Of improvement and care
! Such action will no doubt satisfy all
| stockholders especially since they
have no title any way, and thus will
the property be saved for the public
welfare. The matter must not be
delayed as those interested in the
arrangements will soon close those
arrangements and little Will be quieted.
We see no occasion for criticism oi
any man for bidding or for set OF
men bidding by representative as tho
field was open both to the Association
and to individuals. Should the Fair
Association desire to re-secure title
here is an opportunity but it must act
quickly. Let the Commercial club
have a supper and with full stOmachs
proceed to raise funds for the purpose
OF buying the grounds AT this very
low price. BY request have mad,
this statement.
Yours truly.
| \. v. HYDE.