Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1909-06-26
AN IRISH TOWN TO BE SOLD
Historic Donegal, Ono Mans Property,
to Be Bought by Tenants.

From the Kansas City Star.
Il is not often that whole towns are
sold outright, "lock, stock and barrel,
but Donegal, in Ireland. is about to under
go that novel experience. The old place Is
one of the most historic in the whole Of
Ireland. Irish kings have hailed from It,
But Donegal. history and all, Is TO be
sold, and every one in Ireland is interested
in the event.
Like a good many other towns In the
British Islands, this city Is owned by one
MANTLE earl OF Arran, who also Is the
owner Of many other broad acres in the
county OF Luster. Out-and-out Irishmen
will tell you that Ulster is no part OF Ire
land whatever" as II was the section
first "colonized" by the English. However.
geographical facts are somewhat difficult
to get around by good Irishmen, and Ul-
ster is by others considered an integral
part Of the "Ould Counthry'-and a very
important one, at that.
1t is only in Ulster, in fact, that tenants
holding under various landlords always
have been allowed compensation for their
improvements, which certainly was one Of
the best things ever introduced into the
system Of landlording This Ulster ten
ants right" was. however, so typically
British an institution that irish Irishmen
If the term may be used--always refused
to touch It with the proverbial ten-foot
pole, no matter how good II might be.
But even in Ulster in late years there
has been much clashing between landlord
and tenant. Lord Arran's agricultural
holdings, under the land act OF 1903, were
disposed OF to various tenants at very
satisfactory terms to both parties and now
the town tenants wish to become owners
of their own cottages in fee simple" The
noble earl seems quite willing to part with
them. and there is only one little difficult
ty which stands In the way-the actual cash
itself with which tenants will have to pay
for their holdings. To the Irish, however,
no difficulties appear when they have
made up their minds, and, with the won
derful system of cooperative banks which
recently has sprung up In Ireland, tenants
are able t. obtain the purchase price at
low rates of interest. The earl has de-
manded 25 years purchase, cash down,
though should any OF the tenants be un-
willing to pay all cash, they can let some
of the debt remain on mortgage at AZ per
cent interest. For instance, II cottage
with its little plot of ground brings 500
a wear rent the tenant can get 1t by pay
ing Is years rent-or $500. This Is what is
called "capitalizing" the value OF the
land
After a lot OF haggling the tenants fin
ally have agreed to buy the town Of Done
Rai II the earl of Arran will sell at 20
years purchase instead OF Is; and further
more, they wish the land transferred to
them without legal costs. These very rea-
sonable demands his lordship Is consider
ing-not altogether favorably, 10 be sure:
but the chances are that the bargain will
be struck before very long.
Much wonder has been expressed at the
somewhat harsh demands Of his lordship
in asking for cash down. Many landlords,
both In England and Ireland, are anxious
to sell, owing to the fact that the next lib
eral budget, It is said, will contain heavy
tax on land. II this should prove to be
the case, speculative values in land will
drop. Doubtless, the duke OF Norfolk
will be glad, under such circumstances. to
sell the town of Sheffield which he owns.
and other members OF the peerage will be
glad to realize on their land holdings. In
Ireland, however, the sale Of whole
town, such as Donegal, is attracting no
end Of attention. The earl will complete
the deal" before the next budget Is Is
sued, though IL the tenants would take the
tip, they might wait and get their land
at even ten years purchase or less.