Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1917-03-08
The ROWLAND
ESTATE
How the Owner Acquired
Piece Of Property
Needed to Com
plete 1t
By F. A. mitchell


northwarj journey. Winslow Rowland
had come into the enormous fortune
that had been accommodating for him for
years, and he was laying his plans for
his future. He took no thought as 10
4 career His mind was bent upon how
he should enjoy life. His city residence
was an accomplished fact. His father
had made il as elaborate and beautiful
and luxurious AS could be desired. But
no country place had been prepared for
him, aud this was the problem that &c.
cupied his mind when the sun started
back 10 warm the earth and bring forth
new season
For two months Rowland devoted
himself 10 the house he would build in
the country Then in the early spring
ne started on tour 10 find location
He preferred his country place shouid
be within short distance OF his city
home There was one district and one
alone 10 The northwest whore a sue
cession OF Inns formed beautiful views
Bow.and ooScd over this region ana
selected au ral on which he De
cided 10 Dund a0use.
He did Tot ovn this site nor any Of
the surrounding acres which he intend
ed should torm has estate. He was So
rich that he believed he could buy any
property ne wished But ne had enough
business sense TO rca lie that il woubd
be anw!sc 10 iet me ow ners know Of
his mention While he was ready 60
pay any Dr.ce ne did not care 20 pay
three or four times the intrinsic valGc
of the property purchase
Rowland determined 10 buy up the
land he wanted himself not that NJ
wished TO save the expense Of having
il done by al agent. but he thought the
diplomacy required would interest him
He would not enter the field AS The
multimilliouair Rowland, hut as All
unknown person Of limited means. He
managed The matter very well. He
first bought few acres at the base
Of the eminence on which ne would
build, through which ran a brook, and
gave ont that be Intended 10 dam the
stream for water power 10 run glue
factory This enabled him to purchs So
the site above at fair price. for ID
glue factory has not an agreeable odor
and the value 81 the bill would he
greatly reduced.
Having made this beginning. How
land. who bv this time had come 10 be
known as Mr.. JerDegan and wore the
plain clothes OF small manufacturer.
met with excellent success In picking
up all the different properties that he
wished. except few acres which
would lie within the very neart Of his
estate He was irrifated 10 learn that
this bit OF ground had changed hands
since lie began 10 make his purchases
The owner small farmer. had sold
his land for double It's value 10 some
one living In fhe city. An exsmins
tjon OF the county records revealed the
fact that the purchaser was one Sam
nel Jones Rowland al once started
an employee on hunt for Mr.. Jones
and for information as 10 what lie in
tended 10 do with the land. if he would
sell and. II so at what price.
The person employed TO obtain this
information reported that he had beef
unable 10 find Mr. Jones. and he had
heard that the actual owner OF the
property was woman who intended
to use il for some kind OF agricultural
purposes. Rowland directed his ennis
Sary 20 learn the name and residence
Of this person but after long search
he had not succeeded
Rowland NOT doubling that in time
lie would be able TO buy the only prop
erty he needed 20 complete his estate.
was on his hilltop one morning direct
ing the marking out the lines OF foun
dalton FOR his residence when he saw
wagons CARRYING building material on
to the tract be did not own This
troubled him Any building put mp Oh
the property ne would eventually hav,
10 pay FOR. lie went TO where the NJ
loading was going on and asked CUES
lions. but no one there seemed so know
what was intended
During the next three or four months
Rowland was Obliged 10 look upon a
line OF glass and iron buildings erected
on the property be desired Every ~
fort e. learn who was The owner OF thu
land and was erecting the buildings
failed When he 4iass houses noarel
completion The erection OF very pre-
" bungalow was begun on site uear
them. Il site which, Rowland had iu
tended for purpose Of his own
There was also nycry evidence that
The grounds would be laid ont ia land.
Ecape gardening fashion aud tho
whole instead of being an eyesore
would bc thing ol beauty
This fact instead 81 satisfying How
land only irrtatcd hir When the
plant was completed he was informed
that a woman had moved into the
bungalow
Rowland az once sent a person 10
have a look III h. newcomer. find out
what he could about her and report
The spy on his return said that The
owner of the plant was a graduate Of
an agricultural Ollegc and was pre-
pairing 10 enter upon the cultivation OF
roses The lady was about twenty
two years old .
Howlaud still deeming il unwise to