The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-04-19
The ROWLAND
ESTATE
How the Owner Acquired
a Piece of Property
Needed to Com
plete 1t
By F. A. Mitchell

kat had been accommodating for him for
bars. and he was laying his plans for
IS future. He took no thought as TO
career. His mind was bent upon how
should enjoy life. His city residence
Is an accomplished fact. His father
III made it as elaborate and beautiful
Id luxurious as could be desired. But
J country place had been prepared for
lm and this was the problem that oc-
kpled his mind when the sun started
Ack 10 warm the earth and bring forth
new season.
For two months Rowland devoted
|mself to the house he would build in
e country. Then in the early spring
! started on tour to find location
/ preferred his country place should
within short distance of his CITY
kme. There was one district and one
pne to the northwest where a sue
ksion Of hills formed beautiful views
bwlaud looked over this region and
Oected an eminence on which he De
bed to build his house.
He did not own this site nor any Of
Z surrounding acres which he intend
should form his estate. He was so
kh that he believed he could buy any
pperty he wished. But he had enough
ksineSS sense to realize that ii would
unwse to let the owners know of
Intention. While he was ready to
" any price he did not care to pay
rec or four times the intrinsic value
the property purchased.
Rowland determined TO buy up the
BID he wanted himself, not that he
shed 10 save the expense of having
done by an agent, but he thought the
blomacy required would interest him
would not enter the field as the
bltimillionaire Rowland, but as an
known person of limited means. He
1naged the matter very well. He
et bought few acres at the base
the eminence on which he would
I'D, through which ran brook. ami
BE out that he intended to dam the
|eam for water power to run glue
etory. This enabled him to purchase
site above at a fair price, for a
e factory has not an agreeable odor
b the value of the hill would be
eatly reduced.
Having made this beginning, How
ID. who by this time had come to be
bwn as Mr. Jernegan and wore the
I'm clothes of small manufacturer,
with excellent success In picking
all the different properties that he
Phed, except few acres which
|uld lie within the very heart of his
ate. He was irritated to learn that
bit of ground had changed hands
&c he began to make his purchases.
owner, small farmer. had sold
land for double its value to some
living In the city. An examina
of the county records revealed the
that the purchaser was one Sam
Jones. Rowland at once started
employee on a hunt for Mr.. Jones
for Information as to what he in
ded TO do with the land, If he would
and, If so. at what price.
be person employed to obtain this
Prmatlon reported that he had been
Die 10 find Mr.. Jones. and he had
ri that the actual owner of the
perry was woman, who intended
nse it for some kind OF agricultural
poses. Rowland directed his ennis
TO learn the name and residence
MS person. but after long search
Pad not succeeded.
oWland, not doubling that in time
would be able to buy the only prop
be needed to complete his estate
on his hilltop one morning direct
The marking out the lines of foun-
On for his residence when he saw
ohs carrying building material on
the tract he did not own. This
Died him. Any building put up on
property he would eventually have !
ay for. He went to where the IN
ing was going on and asked ques-
= but no one there seemed to know /
was intended.
lflnc The next three or four months !
and was obliged TO look upon a
OF glass and iron buildings erected I
De property he desired. Every ef- 4
10 learn who was the owner of the /
aud was erecting the buildings
u- When the glass houses neared j
pietion the erection of very pref
bungalow was begun on a site near I
site which Rowland had in
ed Tor purpose of his own
re was also every evidence that
Grounds would be laid out In land
gardening fashion. and the
e instead of being an eyesore.
70 be thing of beauty.
Is fact instead of satisfying How
only irritated him. When the
was completed he was Informed
woman had moved into the
ealow.
"iand at once sent a person TO
look at the newcomer. find out
he could about her and report
SPY on his return said that the
e. OF the plant was a graduate OF
gHcultural college and was pre-