Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-06-26

the money would be forthcoming with
cut doubt. The fund was made up
chiefly of small subscriptions, few be-
ing larger than $50, and the largest be-
ing $500.
When the money was all in sight,
Mr.. Lardin and Mr. Taylor came here
and signed contract with the city to
deliver the deeds and abstract in 40
days, and the city paid down $500 on
the first payment.
Bought at "a Bargain.
Real estate men consider that the
tract has been secured at bargain.
1t had been on the market at as high
a figure as $4,000. The tract is a
desirable one. and several individuals
have been anxious to acquire it. Among
others il is understood that F. G. Denk-
mann, vice president OF the park board
several times in recent years has nego-
tiated for the purchase of the tract,
but without success.
| The tract is admirably adapted to
park purposes. and will when improv-
| ed be a fine mate TO Long View, which
contains nearly 40 acres. The land
| just acquired has many naturally
pretty hills and ravines, and about II
acres of level space. 1t is thickly
spotted with trees. This is the only
large tract available in the Seventh
ward, and the city was fortunate in
| being able to handle the deal at this
| time.
/ Residents JubiIant.
| With the formal completion of the
deal. the residents of the Seventh
ward are in happy mood. There is
, talk already of campaign to provide
the funds needed for the Improvement
Of the park at once, and already there
have been contributions for improve
ments The tract will be turned over
! at once to the park board, and. the
problem of Identifying the park will
be up to that body 10 solve.
| A meeting of the Seventh ward cit
liens will likely be called in the next
, few days for the purpose of discussing
celebration in the park. 1t has been
suggested that the addition of so inn
portant a link to the city park system
, should be made the occasion for a big
gathering at the park, with brief pro
gram of talks in the afternoon, music
in the evening. and possibly a display
of fireworks.
| Plans for Improvement.
! The park board met at the Office Cf
City Attorney ]. F. Witter. and with
the signing of the final papers. plans
for the Improvement of the new park
began to come in at once. Several
schemes were advanced but no action
was taken by the board o. u. Cervin
The local architect, suggested that Il
driveway be made leading from the
entrance of the park on Thirty-eighth
street around the back of the park and
down ana out at Forty-second street
w. II. Robson, who planned Crepo
park in Burlington suggested that
there be a series of walks connecting
the different parts of the park and
that number of rustic bridges 1s
tbuilt over the many deep ravines
Frank Beranck one of the most active
workers for the park. suggested that
a pavilion be built on one OF the high
cliffs which extend out on the north
side of the park and that on the tor
OF this 4 tower be erected and tel
cscope installed. These high places
in the park present one of the fines
views of this section of the Mississippi
valley 0bt n in1h1a
The Peoples Power company ha;
made practically the first donation %
wards improving the park. The com
pany will install five arc lights in ;
short time and give the city free use
of them for one year. e. H. Guye1
has promised to give $500 towards i'm
lproving the park.
The canvassing committee had failed
to raise the entire amount needed Il
make up the $4,000. but Otto Huber
isecretary and treasurer of the Rocl
Island Brewing company, made gooC
1.-THE pledge of his company to make VI
any deficit which might exist at Tho
time for turning it over. The brewing
company donated about $500 in fu,
filling this pledge.