The Concordia sentinel. (Vidalia, Concordia Parish, La.) 1882-current, 1921-07-16

atty the property not Of the few of many.
The very heart of the third city of the U. s. A.
belongs to the "hOi pOOi." There is no BOlshe-
vsm about it-no ffty-ffty division of property.
The only stipulation is that your name is Baker
or that you prove your connection with the
family tree of a supposed Colonel Jacob Baker ="
who rOamed these parts in Revolutionary war
days
Just imagine this! Some morning soon COM
muters stepping off trains at Broad street station
or swarming up out Of the Market street subways
in ye cltye OF BrOtherly Love may find lock and
chain on the whole of Philadelphias busy center.
There will be Hands Or and "No Trespass'
signs everywhere. Pretty soon the sheriff will
appear Upon stated day he will auction Off
all this property at a sherfrs sale.
The proceeds are to pay off the claims of the
heirs Of Colonel Jacob Bakers" estate. for
tune valued at something like an even billion
of dollars, long withheld from its rightful owners
Is at last to come into legitimate ownership.
Ever hear Of the Baker estate" before? A
quarter of century ago someone started the ball
rolling. According to the story, Colonel Baker
an officer in the army of George Washington
leased tract of land in the heart Of Philadelphia
upon which now stand city hall, the big depart
ment stores, the skyscrapers and what-nOt of the
central CITY, The lease was to run for period of
~ years 1t appears that the lease was either
lost sight of or willfuly destroyed and the prop
erty passed on to others.
AT hISl TIE CldIInS look IN nearly all the terri
tory between the Delaware and the SchuyIkilI
rivers and from Poplar to South street.-the very
heart Of the city. AS the years rolled on the
claims were considerably modified. LAWYERS
pointed out how for slight consideration" they
could restore the ground to its "rightful owners
and bring half the banks and trust companies of
Philadelphia to their knees
As the story developed, 1t seemed that the fam
lily Of Colonel Baker" removed to somewhere up
In Canada, after his death in Philadelphia intes-
tate. Then the sQuatters lived on the land In
accordance with the famous 99-year lease made
during the Revolution. Forty years ago the first
talk of a claim" was aired. There was a lapse
Of some Is years and then the bubble was brought
forth again to glisten In all its rainbow colOrs.
Now there Is an old-fashioned renaissance Of
the Baker bubble q scale not heretofore at
tanned. All over the country there are expectant
people just aching for the money with which to
doll themselves out1with limousines trick clothes
and flashing diamonds.
And there's plenty Of wherewithal so Ear as
the value Of the district In question is concerned
The map given herewith gives a hint Of the
values.
The city hall cost $26OOO,OOO the Adelphia
hotel ~ Is valued at $2,3O0OOO; the Ritz
Carlton co. at $2,20O.OOO and the Bellevue
Stafford close BY at $5,0OO,OOO There are scores
OK buildings with more than a million each such
as the Real Estate Trust $3,75OOOO; Widener
$0s00000: Lincoln, $2,35OOOO; Liberty, $3.50 600:
Union League $3.l00,OO0; Land Title, $73OOOOO:
Norris s27O0ooo. and Finance $2,3OO,OOO.
Independence haH 80 Is In the district; so.is
Franklin square and EranklIns grave (49). 9th.
e. noteworthy structures In the district are:
2. vendls