Durango semi-weekly herald., 1906-02-08

whenever reasonable offers are
made. a list OF such properties are
kept In the county treasurer's office
and are open to the public and specu-
lators and monled men examine them
from time to time and hence II comes
that offers are made. During the year
1905 not an offer was made for the
lots purchased by Stilwell. Messrs.
Charlton and Logan never knew that
boards. When Mr.. Stilwell made an
offer the majority members were for
taking it up at once. And here we
will give the language of Mr.. Thomp
son in answer TO certain questions
propounded Monday morning by a
representative of The Herald while
the commissioners were in session:
Mr.. Thompson-"When the offer
was made by Mr.. Stlwell I asked that
action be deferred, as | thought more
money could be obtained. | said |
would ascertain and let them know
consented. | had in mind the offer
made during former administrations
by Mrs. Ray and thought would call
and ascertain If her offer stlll held
good At the time | was not feeling
well and that night had a bad attack
and failed 10 visit Mrs. Ray, and as
she had not renewed her proposition,
or any one else, concluded to let the
matter drop and the vote of the board
was unanimous in selling 10 Mr. Still
well. Since being member of the
board, three years ago. 1t has been
my policy, the same as that of the
entire board at this time, to sell tax
certificates whenever possible and
thus get the property back on the tax
rolls and bringing In revenue to the
county, and knowing the tangled con.
dition of the estate owning the lots,
thought it best to let them go. Prior
to the sale of the lots Mr.. Coston, In
the presence of the entire board, said
the affairs of the estate were in bad
condition-the worst tangled of any
of tax certificates. In purchasing the
property Mr.. Stilwell takes chances
on getting a deed inside of twenty
years. He viii not be able to sell IN
less he guarantees deed, which can
not be done unless some one wanrs
20 take similar chances. The day he
purchased the tax certificate the prop.
erty was placed on the tax rolls and
the county will commence deriving
revenues. the first time since 1893.
consider the property worth more
money-would give $500 t. 81 900 my
self if ! could get deed within a
reasonable time. / do not think even
Mr.. Bradley knew the tangled condi
ton of the property when they reject.
ed the offer of $500. the Two having
examined and reported on 1t at the
| time the offer was made
The above are the facts of the case
and If the tax certificate Is such a
snap why have not Spectators made
| offers for the property the past year
| The board concluded to sell and start
this morning states that the board de
clined an offer of 500. II Is an abso
| lutte lie. Had some one offered s201
| Stilwell could not have secured the
| certificate. 1t is a habit the Demo
crat has of lying.
Now as regards the sale of coal
lands purchased by w S. Morrison
These lands were taken in for taxes
hN tho In
dead horse ever since. At the time
of the tax sale in 1898 spectators
did not consider the property worth
the taxes, possibly less than $500. Not
an offer was made of any kind for
the land last year and had $500 been
/ offered we have no doubt II would
have been accepted. But last month
Mr.. Morrison came along and offered
81, 400 for the tax deed. II was held
over day for consideration. In
the meantime the board was informed
that another party wanted to bid. The
party was consulted. He wanted the
property but had to write to Denver
and asked for time. This was grant.
ed. In the course of few days he
appeared before the board and offered
$1,000. 1t was rejected and then sold
10 Mr.. Morrison for 81 1.400. And now
ii goes on the assessment rolls again
and revenue is derived by the county
As to the value of the land we do not
know. At any rate no one with
money had even intimated TO the
board that they wanted the property
and no tax certificate can be sold
without a purchaser. The commits
sioners thought they were making a
good deal when getting 81 l.i00. 1t is
possible the new owner may make
thousands OF dollars ont of the deal,
hut the company operating went bust.
ed and no one has had sufficient te.
merity since 1898 to think of looking
at 1t.
Now So much for the accusations of
the Democrat. They consist all told
OF three thlngs-the raising of county
attorneys salary and cutting out side
gratis, and the selling of the two tax
certificates. In the meantime they
have paid off all floating Indebtedness
and have money in the treasury for
bridges and other county expenses MS
enumerated in this article. II there