The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-12-27
County Buys Up$22, 900 Worth
of City Property.
City Loses No. 1 Fire Station
and Garfield Park.
OFFICIALS CUP IN AIR"
But City Attorney RaIstOn Says
He Will Settle 1t.
Taxes Were for Construction of
North Side Dixie.

Ii you live in North Topeka and a
regiment of firemen answer your
alarm, you can give the county of
Shawnee credit
AT least this is what is bothering the
city officials. They found ont the
otner day that the No. 1 fire station in
North Topeka belonged to the county.
II belongs to Shawnee county because
the taxes against it for the construo-
tlon or the dixie three years ago have
not been paid. In fact they ran so
long that the county officials bought un
the taxes and the fire station belongs
to them.
The same condition of affairs axist
with Garfield park This park was as-
seSsed Tor the dike-and the civ has
not paid the taxes.
Inc matter was not discovered until
.,.N aIle oener day when the city officials
we're cnecklng over their accounts
uhen they ran up against this proposi-
llon-and they have been holding their
breath ever since.
The city officials claim that it was
vice versa GU
1t all happened about three wears
ago ana OF course we didn't know anv-
thlng about it," said H P. Miller to-
uay hen the taxes were levied th,,
city was under the old council form, oe
government and it was IN to then1 -
nandie the payments. Since we have
peen IN power We have received no
notces of the debt and the whole
proposition was overlooked 1 think
to warn u.s. At'ia
Thls is the general opinion of the
mayor and commissioners of the city.
The county bought up the taxes at
once and as a result the fire station
and the park went into their possess
sion.
Will Fix Tt Up.
City Attorney Ralston and CITY Clerk
Burge have been comforting on th,s
matter and it is possible that they will
take up the matter with the county Of
ficials this week in an attempt to re-
gain the park and the fire station
we need both of them,' is the com
nent made.
II think" said Attorney Ralston this
afternoon, that it will be possible for
US to, pay the taxes and the penalties
and get back, this property. There are
number of legal formaIities connect
ed with it and possibly we will be with
out the property the rest of the week
but I don't think there will be any
| trouble in regaining it,
III admit that this came rather un-
/ expectedly," said G. B.. Burge. city
clerk. But I am not worrying over
the prospect of obtaining the property.
I think that the county officials will be
prompt in giving us the fire station
and the park when we pay the penalties
| and the taxes
Garfield park is located just north of
the city and is composed of 13 acres OF
wooded natural park land 1t is well
i improved and is one of the most pop
Il ular out-of-door amusement resorts in
the city. 1t is valued at about $500 an
acre and is one of the most valuable
| of municipal park properties.
No. fire station is on the southeast
corner of Gordon and Kansas avenue,
1t is a two-story stone and brick struc-
ture with a large tower and is 30 feet
| wide and 85 feet long. The property is
| so feet on Kansas avenue and 175 feet
on Gordon street. Chief Wilmarth val
ues the fire station property at S12O00
| and the equipment at $4,720