The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-08-29
CLAY PIT DEAL
INVESTIGATED
COUNTY BOARD
CANDY EXPLAINS
HOW He MADE THE PURCHASE
AND WHY THE PIT WAS so
COSTLY.

| Testimony OF witnesses in the coun-
tvs investigation of the so-called clay
pit scandal yesterday brought out
four salient pofnts-first, that Ebert
Clubbs bought the property for $3.50
plus an assumed tax charge of $32.10:
second, that J. d. Hall paid $500 net
for the pit: third, that the county's
purchase price was $500; fourth, that
an oral agreement existed between Mr..
C1ubbs and Mr.. Hall that the lots sold
were not to be used as a clay pit It
was further shown, by the deed books
OF the county, that the same day that
Mr.. Clubbs bought the property from
Mr. Simpson he sold it to Mr. Hall
from whom the board of county COM
missioners purchased it.
The investigation grew out of charges
brought against the commission by the
auditor. James Macgibbon, and 1t was
at hts request that witnesses were
called. The inquiry grew into a de-
bate between r.. Pope Reese, attorney
for the board. and Mr.. Macgibbon who
conducted his own case. The latter's
claim, substantiated by Mr.. Simpson.
witness for the clerk. was that the
county could have bought the prop-
erty at the time negotiations were be-
ing made for $3.50. II had also been
said that other locations could have
been obtained.
The property under discussion in
cludes lots to and Is to "a in
elusive, block 153, West King tract. 1t
is assessed at a value of $3.50. Clay
contained on the grounds will be used
in the construction of county roads.
Mr. Simpson. witness for Mr. Mac
gibbon. Mr. Clubbs. Road Supervisor
Macarthur and County Tax Assessor
McDavid. for the board, were called
upon to testify. Miss Rosa zung. pubs
lie stenographer. was called in to re-
cord the proceedings.
Mr.. Simpson testified that he bought
the lots as trustee of the bankrupt
estate OF Knowles Brothers. had sold
them to Mr. Clubbs in the name of his
wife and that he did not know that
the land contained valuable clay de-
posits. He said that he probably would
have investigated If he had known that
this was the case. He further stated
that he knew nothing of the county's
intention in buying the property and
that there was mystery attached TO
the deal Immediately after the deal
was closed he was advised that II was
a wonderful asset The lots lie ap-
proxirnateIy $50 feet outside Of the
city limits, Mr.. Simpson stated.
Mr. Clubbs testified that he had sold
the property to j. D. Hall and that
afterwards Commissioner Candy had
questioned him as to whether or not
he owned the property. He said that
he replied that he did once but that
he did rot at that time and that he
could probably get 1t back with small
profit added. The offer which he made
to Mr.. Hall of a $50 increase was re-
jected. Han claiming that he thought
he meant $50 lot instead Of $50 for
the entire IL lots A week later NJ.
Hall offered to resell it for $72O. he
said Shortly after he bought the prep
erty. June IA, Commissioned Candy
came to him. probably June rs or Is.
he stated. and asked that it be sold
TO the county He said rat naturally
clay was worth little nore money
than sand hut that tho property was
not bought that way. He continued by