The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-04-20
NEWBERRY'S FAIRY GROWTH.
The Truth About Real Estate and it's
Values Seems Stranger Than
Fiction.


Of "The State,' in its great real es-
tate edition of yesterday truthfully
epitomize the story. He says:
If the full story of the real estate
development in the city of Newberrv
and Newberry county during the past
ten years were told, it would read like
fairy tale Of western boom days.
But here there has been no fictitious
boom. but healthy, steady, constant
Improvement in all conditions. with
out united effort. This improvement
has been most marked during the past
three years.
In Newberry at present the follow
ing public buildings are now being
erected: The Mclaughlin block, two
stories, brick, with five large store
rooms and many offices: the improv-
ed Griffin building adjoining; the
Newberry Hardware company's I'M
mense two story brick building fac
ing on two streets, the P. E. Scott
building which will be one Of the larg-
est in town, having on the first floor
the newpostoffice and three store
rooms; the new three story Fraternity
hall, being built by the Masons and
knights Of Pythias, with three large
store rooms on the first floor, offices
on the second and splendid lodge room
on the third; and the Newberry col
lege gymnasium.
During the past three years other
public improvements have been the
erection Of the following buildings;
Holland Hall, Newberry college; the
Mollohon cotton mill; the Farmers oil
mill plant; R. C. Williams double
store rooms and the remodelling and
enlargement of the Paysinger, West
and Summer Brothers store rooms.
The old Crotwell hotel, now operated
by Mr.. F. A. Schumpert is being re-
modelled and equipped with modern
improvements. Other improvements
to begin within few months are the
new Baptist church, the court house,
and the remodelling Of the Newberry
hotel by adding a third story, chang
ing the second story so as to throw
the dining room to the front.
During the same period nearly 40
private residences have been built at
an aggregate cost Of more than $780,
600, not counting the value Of the lots,
many are now being built and others
in contemplation. In these are not in
cluded the large village, surrounding
the Mollohon cotton mill. There is
not vacant residence within the cor
porate limits.
AS an indication Of the increase in
values Of real estate in Newberry two
illustrations will be sufficient. In Oc-
tober last a lot with a small house
sold for $500. The house has been
burned, and the lot is now held at
$1,000. Another property in the burn
ed district was purchased few years
ago for 81 1,2OO;and is now held at $4,
900.
The improvements in the town are
simply result of the general improve
ment in the county. Within three
years farm lands in Newberry county
have increased in value not less than
40 per cent and have increased in
value during the past six months not
les than Is per cent. The basis Of
taxation in the county has been an
estimated 90 per cent Of actual value.
The township assessors met on March
9th to revise the assessment, and On
the same basis increased the assess
ment 20 per cent acre over the val
uation Of 1902. A property near ia
lapa, valued few years ago at S400
was sold for $1,400. 1t is very diff
fcult to estimate the increased value
Of real estate in the county, for the
reason that in the best settled Sec
tions no land is offered for sale ex-
cept in the settlement Of estates. In
fact this is practically the condition
throughout the county.
There are yet a few unsettled or
sparsely settled sections at which
land can be purchased at comparative
ly low figures, for example Hunter &
Co. control 10000 acres near Whit
mire that can be bought at from $40
to $l5 per acre.
SeelSino' fO,. tho canSeS of this mar