Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-04-24
TWO EAST MAIN STREET PROP.
ERrlEs; SCENES OF BAD
FIRES, CHANGE OWNERS.
elNFoRp. SMELLING BUILDING
TAKEN BY FRANK cRoNkLEToN
Purchase Of Former Levin Store Site
Closed Without Litigation-F. /.
Meeker Buys Of NJ, K. Aranoff the
Site Of the Former Arkin Store
Both Purchasers Will Build.

Important and interesting realty
transactions that mean much business
building activity for the summer, and
the rebuilding of the burned Levin and
Arkin stores, were closed Friday. They
include the contamination CT the sale
by Thaddeus Binford and Mrs. Anna R.
Smelling to Frank Cronkleton of the
former Levin store property, and the
Arkin store property to F. L. Meeker.
The transactions involuve $4,000 and
will result in $4,000 to $4,000 being
spent in building.
The Binford- Smelling property is at
LOG los East Main street. Special inter-
est attaches TO this transaction be-
cause Of the quite general belief that
litigation would result to decide who
owned the property. Cronkleton con-
tracted for the purchase before the
building was destroyed by FIRE last
January.
Will Rebuild at Once.
Cronkleton paid $4,000 for the prop
erty. The purchaser had contracted
to pay 100000 and had paid down
$1,000 Compromise was made in clos
ing the deal by which the agreed price
was reduced to $4,000. Included in
the purchase price are two mortgages
for $4,000 which the purchaser as
sumed. Title was taken separately from
Thaddeus Binford and Mrs. Anna R.
Smelling who We're equal owners OF
undivided halves. The lot Is 4ox1s0
feet and the title to the property in
c,udes part ownership of Two partition
walls.
Cronkleton is preparing to build at
once. He said today workmen would
begin clearing away the debris Mon
day.
Will Build Two Stories.
CronkIeton said he would probably
invest $4,000 or more in two-story
modern brick store building. 1870 or
perhaps 140 feet deep. Plans for it
are to be prepared at once. and the
work of building will be begun as soon
as the site is cleared.
1t was quite generally rumored in
the east end today mat Cronkleton had
already closed longtime leases for the
first floor of the building a rental
of $500 a month.
Cronkleton would not confirm this.
but said ne expected to negotiate
leases for the first floor before the day
was over.
Pays $4,000 For Site.
Meeker has entered into a contract
with NJ. K. Aranoff, of Chicago, for the
purchase of the site 40x1S0 feet at 116-
rs East Main street that was formerly
occupied by the Arhin store, and the
east half, at an earlier date, by the
Peckham grocery. Meeker paid s15,-
900 for the site, the only Improvements
on the property is a two-story brick
building 20x40 feet on the rear OF the
lot at the intersection Of the alley
along the east side of the property and
the east and west alley.
This transaction is subject to the
usual conditions regarding the title be-
fore II can be consummated. Title Is
to be furnished by deed within thirty
days.
Will Build This Summer.
Meeker plans to clear the site and
begin building as soon after he gets
possession as is possible. He has not
vet made any plans for building, but 1t
is probable that he will erect two
story double store building.
The purchase of this property Will
give Meeker ownership of four of the
five business lots and buildings from
the alley west. He already owned the
buildings at 10 and liz East Main
street occupied by the National WOOL
en- Mills and the Strub cafe.