The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1953-08-21
$4,000 FUND FOR
NEW COURTHOUSE
IN DARE COUNTY
A Good Piece of Luck For
Dare to Be Turned Soon
Into Cash

A gift of more than 600 acres
of land by the late David Lindquist
of New York to Dare County is
soon to be converted into the cash
sum of $4,000, when the National
Park Service pays the county for
this land as a part of the Cape
Hatteras Seashore.
When Mr.. Lindquist gave the
land ten years ago, it was his ex-
pressed wish that this land be used
for the benefit of all the citizens
of Dare County. "You are going to
need new courthouse before
many years." he said, $50 this land
will be worth enough by then to
give the county good start"
Mr.. Lindquist donated the land
to Dare County through his friend
ship for Victor Meekins, who often
visited him in New York, and
whom he visited in Dare County.
He had told Meekins he appreciat-
ed many courtesies rendered him
and wished to do something for
him. At one time he offered to
build Meekins a modern printing
plant in Manteo.
But Meekins declined all this,
saying he though it would do him
more good to earn what he needed,
and would prefer Mr.. Lindouist
present what he had to give to all
the people of Dare County.
One day in his office in New
York, Mr.. Lindquist told Meekins
he was ready to donate the land.
and Meekins sat down and wrote a
deed conveying the land to Dare
County. Mr.. Lindquist, both verbal
ly and in writing, had advised
Meekins he also planned to donate
to the county, the entire 2,4O0 acres
comprising his Bodie Island Club.
But Mr.. Lindquist was stricken
with a fatal illness that soon end
ed his days, and the land was &C
CURED in the settlement of the
estate by w. A. Worth of Eliza
beth City for only $4,000. The new
owner has laughed at the nearly a
quarter million dollars offered for
this land which cost such a small
sum. and demanded more.
In addition to the $4,000 the
county will have to set aside for
the courthouse fund, it owes into
the fund an additional $4,000 re-
ceived by the county from the
Federal Government during the re-
cent war, in payment of a small
acreage taken for Coast Guard
purposes from this same tract, but
which money was thrown into the
general fund, and spent for various
other purposes.
Mr.. Lindquist's prophecy about
the need for courthouse wasn't
long in coming true. The county's
needs have long outgrown the pres
ent structure built half century
ago, which is unsafe, too small, a
fire trap, and expensive to heat
and maintain. A fire in the present
courthouse would prove a great ca
lamity to the county, for here are
stored the records of the II mil
lion dollars worth of property
which is the sole resources of the
people of Dare County.
At the time he made the gift,
Mr.. Lindquist wished to put it in
the name of Victor Meekins, as a
trustee, to see that his wishes were
carried out in regard to the land.
you never know what kind of
Boards may get elected, and who
might take notion to throw it all
to the Winds" he said in effect. But
Meekins declined this proposition
and assured him of his belief that
fair play would prevail.
Mr.. Lindquist's hints have been
somewhat prophetic, for already
several groups are planning now
to get control of this money. Some
want to use it to pay the county's
bills ;others say spend it all for
mosquito control, which would be
pouring it down a rat hole; still
others say take it and raise our
and others say give it to
our school. But none of these
things are what the donor wanted
done with it. "You are going to
need new courthouse" he said.
And he surely hit the nail on the