The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-06-12
Gage Park Extension Meets An.
other Obstacle.
Some OF Owners of AdjacentLand
Withdraw Proposition.
ARE NOT SATISFIED.
Report of Appraisers Too Low,
Their Contention.
East Side and Gage Extension
Generally Favored.

The few Topekans who raised such
strenuous objection to the purchase
at Gage park and declared that it was
a frame up between the owners of
the tract and the city. have accom-
plished their purpose. Some of the
owners in a communication to the city
commissioners have withdrawn their
offer to sell the land and the entire
deal may be dropped. Topeka may
not obtain her great city park.
Mayor Billiard and the city commits
sionerS have read with regret the de-
cision of the owners. Furthermor@
these officials have branded as an in
justice and an act of disloyalty the ac
ton of the persons who have blocked
the purchase of the ninety additional
acres of land that would give Topeka
the greatest public park in the west
Following the action of DIR. Eva
Harding in asking the local courts for
an injunction against the city COM
missioners in purchasing the Gage park
land, a few of the owners held a meet
ing Saturday and drew up their letter
to the commissioners. They declined
to have anything to do with the suit
now in the courts and withdrew their
proposition to sell the land to the city.
Not satisfied With Price.
Then there is another story. 1t is
claimed by some of the owners of The
land who did not sign the letter to tie
commissioners that the entire deal i
simply an excuse not to sell the laa
at the appraised value.
1t is declared that few of the OWL
ers were dissatisfied with the price
placed upon the land by the appraisers
and when the Harding injunction was
filed in the courts they took this as
an excuse and forwarded a letter to
the commissioners at once. Among
those who are still in favor of selling
the land to the city and who still have
the public pride to stand out in donat-
ing the addition to Gage park are o.
e. Walker, W. W. Mills, J. B. Lariner
and S. S. Estey.
Thus it puts the whole proposition
upon a question mark. Part of the
owners of the land are so anxious tha1
the city have a great public park that
they are willing to give the land for
the purpose. Others are dissatisfied
with the price placed upon the land by
the appraisers they appointed them
selves and have taken the Injunction.
it is said, as loop hole to block the
sale.
81 am sorry that this should come
up.'' said o. E Walker today. Il would
be satisfied with any price just so the
city obtain this land and make Gag
park u great city park. am sorry
a few of the owners have gone back
on their first proposition to the city
commissioners and 1 hope that the
deal will be Strengthened out. / still
feel that Topeka will have this land and
/ win do all in my power to help OBJ
tain it. AS one of the owners L am
not in sympathy with the letter to the
commissioners
The Proposition to Sell.
The first offer to the city was made
by the owners about ten days ago.
James Troutman drew up the offer
which was signed by all the owners.
II read:
1--WE hereby offer to sell to the city
of Topeka our respective interests in
the 80 acre tract adjoining Gage park
on the west to be used exclusively for
park purposes at price to be fixed
by three disinterested appraisers to be
paid for at the citys convenience the
price so fixed to bear 6 per cent in
terest from the date of contract"
This offer was taken up officially
by the commissioners and passed.
Commissioner Stotts was given the pa
pers and asked 10 draw up a contract
at once.
Today comes withdrawal of the
offer. 1t was signed by James A.
Troutman and a number of others.
Some of the signers claim it was mis-
represented to them and they are anX-
lous to remove Their names from the
list.
It is miXup all round. The loyal
TOpekans among the owners fear that
this 'rcuble will biocl. both city parks
planned--the Gage addition and the
east side park. Mayor Billiard de-