South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-01-11
POTTAWATOMIE PARK
Samuel Leeper Interviewed

Declaring that Senator G. R. Summers outlined the Pottawatome
situation in its light his statement given out yesterday
and insisting that for the city succeed in its attempt appropriate
the grounds park without proper compensation to the county
would be deliberate steal Samuel Eepe president of the Aner
Trust Co., of the leading agcuuStS of the county, and
the hackers the bill to be introduced the legislature to
quiet title the county, points out that when the measure passes
South Bend will merely have reaped the reward of its gaSpne
When this matter up two years ago. says Mr. Leepe he
proposition made the city that the bill should pass that
then before the legislature would consent to surrender of
the grounds the county upon condition that the city for the
farmers suitable fair ground site in another location They wouldn't
listen Mayor and the park board insisted that they
them to make the Improvements. They temporary
TORS but the fight finished makes difference whether
have another ground track in the county
the city gets title that ground for park anything else it
will pay for it and pay what it is worth"
M Leeper computed figures to show that the farmers and
payers the county outside of South Bend have valuable
lin the old fair ground site known now as Poawatome park eS
of 900 the time the site purchased easily onehd
and the increased value the property that that
least Even the interest on the for the forty years added
100000 for which the city might have gotten the park years
THE farmers of ST. Joseph county simply done being taxed
for Improvements South Bend" Mr. Leepe goes on 1--WE
longer rap about Poawaome park fair ground That
Separate and distinct identity from the city Of South Bends sepa
h5 as two lot OF people 60 to make 1 up the n county
market place the city much interested in the country the
placing fair ground Potawaome disturb the home
that vicinity or to njqTe their property Pesuming that might be
be minor degree make the people of
Park of park site that will enhance the value of their
property.
ITO be frank about not interested in the least whether
j. M SudebakeS 6oocre farm doubled in value for city lot pur
poses by Pottawatome park If he anxious
there and interested in playground for the children why
don't he chop acres his and let the people
Or he might sell off lots and turn the money with which
pay the park wished retain the improvement
still the value of the 500 remaining sufficient
than compensate him. for opposed ST. Joseph county
making any presents South Bend for the benefit of NJ Sude
baker,
article appearing in local newspaper has attracted the aen
ton OF Mr. Leepe the land goes back to the county there
will assessments paving side
walks water etc. for the county TO pay Very WE'LL better
afford pay for those Improvements and still have SIS
left than give away S65OOO possibly SIS 600 get rid of
paying $4,000 is Mr. LeeperS The thrown out
about the cost improvements have been intended
VINO the habit of throwing away dollars TO make for
cents"
The matter requiring South Bend for Poawatomie park
he taken by the Cleaners their monthly meeting this week
the various townships and committee will probably be appointed
back the bill that before the legislature. Call them
lobbyists You want to- Leeper points out but they will be no
lobbyists than the city hall bunch that will probably be In
dianapois oppose cannot why isn't
legitimate fight against being robbed it for
obbe night the latter the status OF South Bend its effort
TO get hold OF that property without paying for it,"
1t probable tah the bib quiet title Poawatomie park the
county VIII be introduced in the Legislature this week