The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1909-11-30
IS IT WORTH
.$13,OOOOR $1,000
Opinions Vary as Expressed
Before Commissioners AS
To Lyon Place.
NEEDED FOR POST OFFICE SITE

Philander B. Pierson, Willis K.
Howell and John r. Burr, the COM
mission appointed by Judge Joseph
Cross to fix a value on the property of
Isaac d. Lyon on Morris street needed
as part of the site for the post office
building. gave a hearing to the inter-
ested parties at the court house Mon
day morning. Charles A. Rathbun
appeared for Mr.. Lyon and United
States District Attorney John 3.
Vreeland and his assistant, walter
Bacon, looked after the interests OF
the government.
Mr.. Lyon told the commission his
property had a frontage on Morris
street Of twenty-nine feet nine inches
and placed valuation on it OF $500 a
front foot. He purchased the property
in 1897 for SO, 900 and since that time
had derived no income from it, his
mother occupying the place and pay
ing only the taxes and costs of main
tenance. Mr.. Bacon produced map
of the property which was made in
October by Edward Howell, but Mr.
Lyon said it was incorrect and pointed
out some alleged errors. He said he
valued the property with the house at
$4,000 and that he has had under con-
temptation since 1905 making changes
to the place to adapt it for business
purposes that would cost $4,000. He
told the commission that he consider
ed the value of the property was
greatly enhanced by the trolley and
sewers and told of putting in the house
hard wood floors, wainscoting, a range,
bath room, new plumbing and max
ing other Improvements. Under Mr.
Bacon's questioning Mr.. Lyon could
not remember what the property was
assessed for nor how much fire insur-
ance he carried on the house.
Walter v. Pierson, architect, told
of preparing set of plans which he
finished seven months ago for the
changes in the house which MIR. Lyon
had talked of making and said that
Mr.. Lyon had first discussed the mat
ter with him four years ago.
Watson Coe, carpenter, told OF hav-
ing done the jobbing work about the
house for several years past and assert
ed the house to be in good condition
He thought that it would cost $1,000
to replace the house and asserted that
the cost of building had tripled in the
last few years.
Frank D. Baldwin told Uhe commits
sion that 10 his judgement the place
was worth $4,000, placing the same
valuation per front foot on the prop
erty as did Mr.. Lyon.
D. III. Leek told of the sale of the
Baptist church property to the McAl-
pins and of the Caskey property to the
same owners.
For the government Benjamin j.
Crane testified that the place was
worth $4,000 and Collins B. Wier
placed valuation of 1893 upon it.
Mr.. Weir, uncer Mr.. Rathbun's ques-
tioning, admitted that the property
was in the fire zone and that if it ever
was replaced would have to be sue
ceeded by a brick building costing
twenty-five per cent. more than a
wooden structure.
The commission visited the property
Monday afternoon.
The government appropriated S35,4
600 for the purchase of a site for a
post Office building in Morristown.
Part of the land necessary, the site
selected being at the corner of Park
place and Dumont place was secured
from G. Franklin Wilson in plot
/ 0Oxl60 for $4,000, or 1920 ger front
foot. Mr.. Lyon demanded the same
price for his property which adjoins
that already secured and is necessary.
He was offered $4,000 which he refused
and the government started condem-
nation proceedings.
-N-
Madame Jaillet to Sing.
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