The Brooklyn Daily Eagle from Brooklyn, New York • Page 10

THE BROOKLYN DAILY EAGLE SUNDAY, MARCH 7, 1897. 1 10 IB Tr "DOWN BRAKES, AND REVERSE WILD LONG ISLAND LAND SCHEMES. ri mw vn Hirni LARGEST RETAILERS. Special Sale iiliC ElidliitI OP INTEREST This season's advance production of Spring Suitings Is now ready for inspection and it Is no egotism on our part to state that, with the reputation of always being up to date, we have never before shown so large and attractive line of imported goods. There are only a few firms in this country who carry a similar class of Cloths, and our selections this year embrace a great variety of patterns, many of which are of exclusive designs.

You should not fail to make an early choice while stock Is complete. said I could find very easily, but I could not find it at all, when I went out there. They said the lot was free and they charged mo for the deed and coat of recording it. "When I asked tho where ray lot was, ho gave a wavo of his hand and said: 'There it hut I could find no marks or stakes to chow where it was." Julius Scipio, a colored janitor, living at 427 Ncstrand avenue, said: "They told me they would give me my lot free, but. wanted $4.70 for the deed and to get it recorded.

They wanted me to buy the adjoining lot right away for f50. I got my deed for tho free lot on tho Monday following the sale. I wanted the next lot, but thought their price too high. I supposed it was near tho city and 1 wanted to build right away." Others who were seen by an Eagle reporter seemed to bo equally as uncertain as to the exact location of their property. Investigation showe that tho Great Suburban Improvement company of New York has control, in a way, of about 1,000 acres of land, tho site of the "town" of New Riverhead.

The tract is really the property of David Sandman, a well known business man of Riverhead, who retains the title; as fast as tho Great Suburban Improvement company necd.s a few blocks in its transactions, it is purchased of him. Land of the same quality is valued by adjacent owners at about $1 per acre. In addition to streets, there ars about twelve lots in each acre, and as deeds are printed in uniform verbiage the cost of drawing up and recording Is trifling. At $4.79 for each deed there should be no loss incurred on tho so called "free" lots, while at the prices fixed, $25 to $100. the profits on tho purchased lots can be easily figured out.

Speaking of tho land In question Dana Dowens of Riverhead said: S5.50 Iron Beds. "Whito Enamel Brass Trim, for $3 00 S6.5fIron Beds, White Enamel Brass Trim, for $4 00 $10.00 Iron Beds, White Enamel Brass Trim, for S6 50 $15.00 Iron. Beds, White Enamel Brass Trim, for $9 50 $18.00 Iron Beds, White Enamel Brass Trim, for 8 50 28.00 Iron Beds, White Enamel Brass Trim, for 7 50 $30.00 All Brass Heavy Post Bedsteads for 9 00 Dressers. 12.00 Oak or Mahogany Finish Dressers for $7 00 S18.00 Oak or Mahogany Finish Dressers for. 5Q 27.00 Mahosrany Finish Dressers for 6 00 S30.00 Solid Birch Dressers for 18 00 36.00 White Maple Dressers for .2 I OO S60.00 Solid Mahogany Dressers for v.

$34 00 Sli.OO Whito Enamel Dressers for $22.00 White Enamel Dressers for 4 5Q FINEST FOEEIGN AND Bicycle Suitings, West of England Worsteds, Fancy Trouserings, Covert Cloths. FINEST FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC FABRICS. HENRY 235 BROADWAY, BROOKLYN. I 50 fr this style Antique Oak Rocker, high back, wide arm rests, neatly carved, regular price $3.00. OPEN SATURDAY EVENINGS.

CASH OR CREDIT. General House Furnishers, 553 to 571 Fulton Street. When a train is discovered rushing on to a frightful collision, it is a thrilling instant as the engineer whistles "Dawn brakes!" and reverses his lever. Brakes alone aro not enough; the whole propel ling power of the engine must be reversed and made to work in the opposite clirec tlon. That is how it is sometimes wltli disease.

There are times when the system is fly ing along the track of disease at such a frightful pace that no ordinary methods will prevent disaster. There are plenty of medicines which act merely as brakes to "slow up" the disease and put off disaster for a little while; but that isn't enough, what is needed is a medicine that will instantly reverse the entire wasting, degenerating process. When people are losing flesh, strength and vitality, they neod Dr. Pierce's Golden Medical Discovery, which acts directly upon the vital forces, completely transforming the entire nutritive organism and totally reversing the wasting, debilitating process which is at the root of all diseases. It enables the digestive and blood making organs to supply the circulation with an abundance of pure, healthy, red blood.

It stops the wasting of tissue, builds up solid, muscular flesh and healthy nerve force. "About four years ago I had an attack of grip which left my throat and lungs In a bad condition," writes Mrs. Mary Hartrnan of .300 Harker street, Mansfield, Ohio. "The doctor said I had disease of the throat and bronchial tube3. I continued to grow worse all the time until I had pain in the upper part of my chest and severe cough, which grew worse at night and in the morning, with expectoration.

Quite often I would cough up what seemed to be mattery scabs, after which I would experience a burning and smarting sensation in my throat. I took the doctor's prescriptions without number, but all did not seem to do me any real good. At last he told me to try cod liver oil. I took sixteen bottles of the oil; this seemed to help me for a while and then I would be as bad as ever. Next I tried the extract of malt.

I took five bottles, and not deriving any benefit from the malt (I was feeling so weak I could hardly get around), I concluded I would write to your Institute for advice. About eighteen months ago I wrote describing my symptoms. I immediately received an answer advising a course of treatment, which I began at once. I bought five bottles of Dr. Pierce's Golden Medical Discovery, and one bottle of his 'Favorite Prescription' and three of the I began taking the medicines as directed, and immediately began to improve in every' way.

I have obtained more lasting benefit from these medicines than from all others combined. Indeed, Dr. Pierce's medicines have done wonders forme. I enjoy quite good health and have not taken any medicines for over six months." Miss Mary Whitman of East Dickinson, Franklin N. writes: "For nearly ten months I had a bad cough, and instead of getting better, it grew worse, until I was advised by a friend to try Dr.

Pierce's Golden Medical Discovery. I hesitated at first, for it seemed to me nothing would give relief only death. My parents were anxious about me, and I was said to have consumption. I tried your medicines and before I had taken many doses there was a great change. When the second bottle was empty I had no cough and.

was a great deal stronger." Dr. Pierce may be consulted by letter, free of cost, by addressing him at No. 063 JIain street. Buffalo, X. Y.

One copy good, practical, medical work is wot4Vfniore in a home than a thousand works of fiction. Dr. Pierce's Common Sense Medical Adviser is the best home medical book extant. It contains 1,008 pages and three hundred illustrations and is written in plain, everyday language that anyone may understand. Over a million homes own copies of it and 080.000 of them paid $1.50 each for their copies.

A new and large edition will be given absolutely free. If you want a copy in a paper cover, send twenty one one cent stamps, to covereost of mailing only, to the World's Dispensary Medical Association. Buffalo. X. If you desire a fine French cloth binding send thirty one stamps.

property, known as the city of North Moriches is not subdivided. Joshua Powell, the secretary, has an office in this Lovely Park, containing 265 acres assessed at $300 for the whole tract, is owned by Mrs. Mary J. Fanning, who has sold, tnrough Emma M. Hageman, wife of Van Buren Hage man, 700 lets at from $5 to $10 each.

The land is situated near the Upper Mills, two or three miles west of Riverhead, and is almost an uninhabited wilderness. Much of the land of the Long Island Investment company, consisting of sixty acres near Lakeland, has been sold under mortgage foreclosure sale. Thousands of lots about Lakeland and Hol brook were sold from tracts on which heavy mortgages had been laid. These mortgages were foreclosed, and the lot purchasers lost all they had put in. Avenmore park is a tract of land near Ron konkoma, in which the proprietor, M.

J. Byrnes has sold about 400 lots. The later deeds have been given by Hester A. Byrnes. Tho Deer Park Investment company was incorporated December 30, 1891.

with a capital stock of $100,000 by Eihridge G. Rideout, Herbert H. Brower, Milton R. Smith, Frank P. Xorton and James B.

Stilwell. The company began operations in 1S93. N. A. Farrand is now at the head of the company, which' has offices at 201 Broadway, New York.

It has 5,050 acres of land about Deer Park, which is assessed at a total value of an average of $1.50 per acre. More than nine hundred deeds have been recorded since 1891, and many thousand lots have been sold at from $25 to $50. Several months ago a mortgage of $16,400 held by George Carll as trustee on part of the tract was paid off by Cromwell G. Macy, who then became interested in the company. The Deer Park Land company was incorporated June 18, 18R7, with a capital stock of $40,000, by Jesse B.

Lung, Alexander Davidson and William R. Nutt. Its dealings have been quite extensive. The United States Land and Improvement company, a Jersey City corporation, obtained possession of 281 acres of land around Lindenhurst, assessed at $81 for the whole tract which it cut up into building lots. About three thousand of thee were so'd at from $10 to $50 each.

This land was a part of the Thomas and Abbie Wellwood estate, which held a purchase money mortgage on it. Later when it was sold under a decree of foreclosure I. was found that the company had acquired but little equity in it. and lot ourchasers were ousted, without recourse, having lost ail they had invested. Little of it, however, had been built upon.

Deeds which were formerly given by Werner Bruno and John Bruno are now given by the Wellwoods. The Wyandance Springs company was organ ized and incorporated March 18, 1895, by Rachel D. Hamilton of 413 Bergen street, Mary J. Watscn, 26 Willow street, Brooklyn, and Louisa M. Walker, with an office at 26 Park Row, New York.

The capital stock is $10, 000. Louisa M. Walker is the president. The company has 577 acres of land at Wyandance, assessed at $6,000. Most of it is good land, suitable for building purposes.

It Is claimed by tho company that the springs found upon It are possessed of valuable medicinal qualities. The Metropolitan Investment company of Now York which purcnasea acres at Edge wood, near Deer Park, was incorporated un der the laws of New York, with a capital of March 17, 1894. The incorporators were E. Martin Lindgrcn or io Lexington avenue. Brooklyn; H.

Lilsner De Fere, 1.082 Dean street, Brooklyn; and Oguila W. Wnnamaker of Jersey City. It had been previously incorporated in 1S91, under the laws of New Jersey. James C. Clarke was president of tho first company, and Howard P.

Wheeler, secretary. Tho head of the present company is Charles S. Clarke, and Henry F. Clinton is treasurer. The company has done an extensive business.

In 1891 thero were 175 deeds recorded; in 1S92, in 1893. 968; in ISM, 319 in IS95, 130. The Hageman company, dealing in Brook haven lands, was incorpoarted September 21 1892, with a capital stock of $25,000. Tho incorporator.1! were George E. Hageman and V.

13. Hageman. In tho maps and prospectuses issued by some of these companies there figure tho usual proposed hotels, and a trolley road. The land company. In its deeds, usually reserves tho right to lay water, sewer and gas pipes, and maintain and operate electric street railroads.

Very few of the lots sold by the land companies are ever put upon the assessor's books of tho various towns. Their value is too small and In most instances, the boundaries too dlf A RICH FIELD FOR UNSCRUPULOUS SPECULATORS. The Celebrated "Free Lot" Dodge ExposedA Sample "Poor Man's Excursion" Some of the Dozens of Companies Which Have Made Their Thou ands Upon Thousands Out of Scrub Oak' and Waste Land, Part of Them by Legitimate Means, but Most of Them by Clearly Fraudulent Methods How Lakeland Investors Were SwindledCompelled to Desert the Homes Which Took Their All to Build Un heard of "Cities" "Settled" by the Dupes of Unprincipled Speculators Facts Which Should Place Every Reader of This Article on His Guard Reliable Data Carefully Collected From Many Authentic Sources. The Great Suburban Improvement company at "New York gave a free excursion to River head, L. some time ago to 450 purchasers of lots in the company's "town" of New River Ihead, laid out on lauds jusc across the Peconic river from the seat of Suffolk county.

The purchasers were taken to the property wlthan expectation that they would make further Investments, and that the recipients of the company's so called "free" lots, would add to their holdings, the land adjoining, which had been reserved for them. The excursionists were almost without exception, well to do mechanics and laboring men, not of the kind usually looked upon as extensive real estate Investors, and it seemed plain that the money used for the purchase of these lots had been won from them by the apparently extra ordinary liberal terms offered by the company. The result of the excursion was a trifle disappointing to the promoters. The Eagle at that time told how the emotions of the investors so overcame them that the trip ended llttlo shortofariot; how the crowd complained that it bad been duped and swindled; how a husky investor from Mount Vernon announced his ability and earnest Intention to lick the secretary and treasurer of the company, who was on hand to sell more lots to the "'enthusiastic" excursionists; how the company's representative appealed to the sheriff for protection, and how he left the "town" of New Riverhead in a carriage, preceded by a galloping horse and followed by a shower of rocks and the left banded compliments of the multitude. Investigation proved that the enraged lot owners were not without some grounds for fheir dissatisfaction.

The company which engineered the excursion claims in its advertisements to be incorporated, but it has filed', no articles bearing out its claim, with the clerk of the Suffolk county, and the "town" of New Riverhead. in which it is selling property, docs not stand on the assessment rolls of that county, In the company's name. The concern began business in 1895 and with alluring advertisements, soon attracted the attention of small Investors. The "town" of New Riverhead was described as being on the Peconic river, a navigable stream, and near the enterprising town of Riverhead. whoso manufactories employ thousands of hands.

In an advertisement printed May 17, announcing the above excursion for July 15, the company said NSW RIVERHEAD is about jr, minutes' walk from the town of Riverhead. the rounty peat of Suffolk County. L. which has a population of over also churches of different denominations, public hotels and any number of large factories, EMPLOYING THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE. On tho beautiful Peconic River, which is right near our land, are good fishing and boating.

In the near future the new electric road will run near our property, and by this it will be iwiciViiF, tn reach mir lanrl from New York In 40 minutes, at a cost of from 35 to 40 cents. New Riverhead Is near the border of Greater New York. Maps were prepared showing its proximity to the railroad and indicating the town as having been laid out in beautiful lots. The company offered a lot 25x100 at $25 to $100. a small percentage down, the remainder to he paid in weekly or monthly instalments.

In order to create an interest in the property the company offered to give lots free to those presenting coupons from its advertisements. The apparently liberal terms offered by the company drew hosts of investors. As the suburb of a thriving town, even the poorest felt that, he could make no mistake in squeezing his small earnings to pay for a town lot and building sits at even the highest price asked. $100. The recipient of the free lot was asked to pay for the drawing and recording of his' deed, but felt, sure then he was practically getting something for not'hlng.

When informed that the lot next to his had been reserved for him he usually made a desperate effort to purchase it. for there were no restrictions placed upon the land and he desired to run no risk, when he should have established his home upon his now possession, of finding himself next door neighbor to a glue factory or a boiler shop. The president, who signs the prospectus of tho onmpany, plungps Into the" following breathless and unpunctu ated rhapsody in one of his characteristic advertisements: SENSIP.LE PERSON CAN READILY REALIZE THAT OCR PROPERTY HAS A GLORIOUS FUTURE. Otherwise we would not spend such rin enormous sum of money to continue Improving our hinds wo have done in the past ami try and convinc. public of the liandsorne profits they enn derive by Investing in same.

We certainly are willing to do all in our power to ndvnnee the nrospects of our land, and for our mutual benefit mikl urlvfse each and every lot bolder to :i.lv:intaKe of the cheap yn tces asked for our reserved lots and Vjv in time as the prices will certainly advance afier the thousands of people have seen the property, and may safely sr.y tlint within one vear not only 10 per cent, will build, but no per which will Increase the price of lots from 100 to 200 per cent. For the excursion referred to the company gave tickets tn none but lot purchasers or those who had received free lots. The investors were tdven an opportunity to inspect the town of Ttlverhead before going to survey their purchases. Then came the first disappointment. They ound the great manufaet tiring interests of that place to consist of Perkins' woolen mills and the local grist mill, employing altogether about twenty five hands.

They wandered to the banks of the heautifwl Peconic river and found it navigable for roWboats. as is any other mill stream, whenever the dams didn't interfere. Then, climbing into a lot of conveyances, they crossed the rivulet on a bridge erected by the company and plunged into a wilderness of practically tracklc ss sand, huckleberry bushes, scrub ak and stunted pine. Broadway, a sort, of wagon track cut through the brush, penetrated the jungle for a half mile or so, but outside of this there was not the sign of a surveyor's mark, and tho inexperienced city born property owners dared not leave this ax hewn track further behind than a few rods at a time for fear of losing themselves in the town. The glittering white sand produced no other vegetation than the dwarfed and wind whipped specimens mentioned above and appeared absolutely valueless for agriculture or even building purposes, except as a component of mortar.

The mighty improvements mentioned In the prospectus consisted of a small square building used as an ofilcc. whose two entrances proved exceedingly convenient to tho company's representative later in the day. A few lets on the river, for which S100 was asked, had been laid out and defined, but in many cases the unfortunate real estate owners found a mile or two of tangled shrubhery and yielding sand lay between them and their alleged purchases, so attractively plattod on map No. 5. Tho heat, fatigue and Qumulativ.

disappointments of tho day wore too much for tho crowd and it turned in Its wrath upon the company's representative, and, as he fled toward the "large manufacturing city" cf Riverhead, it climbed upon its special train In waiting and returned to tho city, wrathy but considerably wiser. On their return to Long Island City they noticed that "new Riverhead." which the prospectuses located "near the border of the greater New York," is seventy five miles from Queens county's metropolis, and suggested among themselves thnt the new electric road, which to to place this "town" within forty minutes of New York city, will probably be of tho aerial kind. On' their return trip to the city tho Investors not only talked freely, hut emphatically of their possessions. Julius Fenily. a tailor, of 2S7 Devoe street, Brooklyn, said: "My lot is called on the map 51 Grand avenue.

Tho men who sold the land to me. DOMESTIC FABRICS. GISSEL, went from 20 shillings to $50 an acre In a short time. A large steam grist and sawmill was erected and many people looked upon Deer Park as a coming city. But the mill was burned down, the boom collapsed and land became almost worthless.

The station east of Deer Park was known as Beulahland or Thompson's station. It was the nearest depot to Penatsaquit (now Bay Shore), on south and Comae on t'ae north. From this point a road was graded to Islip, but the south side road was completed and the rails on the Islip branch were never laid. Beulahland was first known as Modern Times and was settled by a religious sect professing to be far in advance cf the nineteenth century. The women in bloomer costumes.

All were religious enthusiasts. The station was finally abandoned, and the new one established was called Brentwood. Dr. Edgar T. Peck, an old resident of Brooklyn, who lived in Raymond street, in a brief sketch of Brentwood showed what estimate was placed upon tills land at one time.

He said: "I purchased by contract most of the land between Thompson's and Suffolk station of N. O. Clock and V. M. A.

Wicks. The land on which Brentwood is located was at least something over four hundred which I purchased off Mr. Wicks without the wood for $2.75 per and under my contracts the land was sold and conveyed to New York men; to J. E. Johnson, H.

I. Wheeler, U. L. West, Nathan Steyens, Christopher Wray, J. Agate, R.

J. Richards, S. P. Townsend and others, and it was expected that nearly all of these purchasers would make some improvements on it, but with a single exception they did not, because they were advised by those who professed to know better than I did that the land was not worth improving. It was not until this land had passed through several hands and several years after that any considerable improvement was made on it." Among the first speculators to operate in Suffolk county lands was Charles Wood, who bought in the early forties 5,000 acres of land off William H.

Ludlow near Ronkon koma. He filed over thirty maps of towns in the Suffolk county clerk's office. Among other town names recorded are those of Lakeland, Irvington, Hermansville, Rosedale and Ronkonkoma. Wood advertised his lots in the journals and languages of almost every civilized country of the globe and sold thousands. The recorded deeds show buyers resident of every state of the Union and other countries.

Wood hought the land for acre and gave a purchase money mortgage for nearly the whole amount. Purchasers eventually lost their lots through foreclosure. Ludlow and his wife sold on November 13, 1848, to Edgar F. Peck 6,950 acres of wild land between Central Islip and Lakeland for 200 acres at $30 per acre and 100 acres at $20 per acre, both tracts north of the railroad, toward Ronkonkoma pond; 1,000 acres west of the last named tract and 2,000 acres west of Connetquot brook on the south side of the town. Peck could not dispose of the land and sold it to Charles Wood.

He gave a mortgage for nearly the whole amount and sold off several thousand building lots. Ho got released for portions of the tract, but the mortgage given Dr. Peck was foreclosed in 1859 and the unreleased portion was sold. Thousands of the lot owners lost their holdings. Tho property was bought In at the sale by Alexander H.

Wallace, a lawyer of New York city, who held the mortgage at the time of the foreclosure. Wallace sold off the tract in plots and the village of Bohemia was built upon lands, the deeds to which were given by him. Immigrants direct from Bohemia settled upon the lands and built churches, stores and cigar factories. Wood finally failed and died in New York city without means. This speculation in Long Island lots lay dormant then, until lRfiR.

when Thomas Wellwood, a wealthy Brooklyn citizen, went into the business at Breslau. Wellwood had purchased in 1859 a Ave hundred acre farm at Little Neck, east of Amityvllle, which ho occupied as a summer residence. His place was considered cne of the show places of the South side. In 1868. after the South i Side railroad was built, Wellwood bought a I large tract on the road between Amityvllle and Bahylon, and projected a city, where I Lindenhurst now stands.

He, like Mr. Peck, did not know how to' retail land. He fell I in with Charles S. Sch'leier, who entered into a partnership with him, and thousands of lots in the city In embryo were sold. Finally, he and Wellwood parted company, and the whole scheme collapsed.

AVellwood end his wife and Schleler came to an agreement whereby the title to the whole tract was to be vested in Mr. Ingraham of Brooklyn, as trustee, who was to give title to the purchasers of lots. Schleler defaulted in his agreement, and the tract came once more, after a series of suits, into the possession of Wellwood. The latter during his administration of affairs secured large loans on the property. Thousands of lots were sold, after which the mortgages were foreclosed and the purchasers lost all they had invested.

Well wood became a poor man, in spite of his numerous land sales. Most of the land has been sold many times over, for taxes. Another project for the use of Long Island lands, that has beeu under discussion for a year or so, contemplates making some of these tracts homes for the vagrants that swarm around New York and Brooklyn and other large cities of the state. A hill introduced in the legislature last winter, which failed to become a law, provided that New York and Brooklyn should secure about 50,000 acres of Long Island lands and set the vagrants at work clearing and preparing it for cultivation, under the direction of energetic farmers of Long Island. When the Long Island wild land Is cleared and thoroughly broken up, it proves fairly produetivo for all sorts of farm crops.

Melons, upland cranberries, strawberries, young nursery stock and potatoes can all be profitably grown on these bandy tracts, with tho aid of fertilizers. The hundreds of acres around the Suffolk county almshouse, at Yaphank, have been cleared up by the Inmates cf that institution, and now comprise a fertile farm, producing all the vegetables and grass needed by the Inmates and the cattle about the place. LENOX EUCHRE CLTJB. The eighth meeting of the Lenox Euchre club was held at the home of Miss L. Leavy, 203 Howes street, Monday evahihg last.

At 9 o'clock the usual games opened and continued until the tenth, after which tho prizes were distributed. Tho winners were: Women's first, Miss C. Thill; second, Miss H. Cos grovo; men, first, F. Dempsey; second, G.

Lambert. There were, In addition, two guest prizes, won by Mrs. Ames and W. Keveny. Immediately after the awarding of prizes dancing commenced.

Supper was served at midnight. The ninth and last meeting of the Lenox will take place on Tuesday evening, March 23, at the homo of Miss Agatha Kelly, 141 "I do not think it is of any value. It mere ly serves as the means of giving a real and genuine cieea to a purcuase. to take it. Tho good namo of the town of Riverhead is not gaining much by such a scheme of development." The exoerlence of the investors in the lands of the Great Suburban Improvement company has had the effect of making would be purchasers somewhat more cautious about rushing Into schemes of similar character.

Many such schemes have been advertised and investment and development companies without number have operated in Long Island lands. It is estimated that in Suffolk county alone the several land companies and individual speculators have sold in the last'twen tv years not less than 150.000 lots, for which they have received not far from $4,000,000. In the majority or cases tnis muu is ui Similar character to that just described. A few hamlets like Bohemia, Lindenhurst and Hal brooke have resulted from these sales, but for most part the whole of the great region of dwarf pine and scrub oak, a strip from six to twelve miles wide, extending from Farmingdale on the western border of the county to Good Ground in the town of Southampton, a distance of more than fifty miles, is still an uninhabited region whose assessed value is placed by the officials of the various towns at from fifty cents to five dollars an acre, in fact, great numbers of the so called building lots sold by some of the companies could never be found, much less defined, and there Is little likelihood of any purchaser undertaking the task after once traversing a few miles of the trackless waste. The most lamentable features of these schemes is that the money put into them has in most cases come from the pockets of tho working men, many of them foreigners, unacquainted with the nature of the land in which they were Investing.

Of the numerous companies that have operated in Long Island lands there have been many whese dealings were of a character open to question. Others have given value received, and the glowing terms of their prospectuses have been borne out by certain foundation facts. So extensive and persistent has been this speculation that a review of the various companies which have operated in this real estate field will be of interest. The largest operators in Suffolk county have been the New York and Brooklyn Suburban Investment company of New York, incorporated April 3, 1S90. with a capital stock of $100, 000.

The incorporators were Herbert H. Walker, George Hegeman and George A. Weaver. It did business in 1880 ax a New Jersey corporation. Over 15,000 deeds have been placed on record by this company.

H. H. Walker, the company's first president, was succeeded by Frederick W. Dun ton of Jamaica. George E.

Hegeman is now president and O. L. Schwenke, secretary. The company obtained control of 11,258 acres' of land, extending from the Montauk division of the Long Island railroad on the south to Long Island sound on the north. It Includes land at East Patchogue, Patchogue, Bellport, Woodvllie.West Yaphank.Waverly, Farming dale and Rocky Point.

The lands are assessed at an average of $2 per acre. Over 15,000 lets have been sold at from $10 to $15 apiece; corner lots bringing from $30 to $40. The company has laid out some money in building roads through the tract and has marked out tho lots sold by stakes. Orange T. Fanning, when clerk of Suffolk county, recorded over eight thousand deeds for the company in 1892.

which conveyed several time' that number of lots. Hegeman obtained a judgment against the company in 1S92, and 1,300 of the lots were sold by the sheriff and bought In by the plaintiff. The operations of the company have been ventilated in 'the courts in the actions brought by Hegeman against Dunton. Roselawn Park, later known as tho property of the Riverhead Investment company, was incorporated June 4, 1S92, by Elbridge Rideout, Charles M. Russell, Edward G.

Rau lett, Henry C. Hampton and Kenton C. Smith, with a capital stock of $5,000 and an office in the Bennett building. New York. Tho Riverhead Investment company succeeded the corporation April 14, 1S93, and purchased its S30 acres of land.

The last named company was incorporated April 10, 1893, by Charles M. Russell, Frank H. Adams and Henry 0. Armstrong. Its capital stock was $10,000.

E. G. Rideout was the first president and he was succeeded by Charles M. Russell, with an office in tho Bennett building. The company has done little of late, but the two companies disposed of about 7,000 lots.

The land is a part of the Topping purchase in the town of Southampton, which is assessed at $2 per acre. The following will illustrate the methods adopted by some of the land boomers on Long Island. Some time ago a rebus, so simple that a ten year old child could make it out without difficulty, was inserted in a lot of newspapers and prizes were offered to tho first who should correctly construe it. A piano was offered to each of the first twenty five; silk dresses to each of the next fifty; diamond rings to each of the next hundred, and a beautiful building lot in a thriving town to each of the next two hundred. Answers were of course received by thousands from all parts of tho United State: Mexico and Canada; nearly all the European cities of importance and even from Africa.

Tho company was so liberal that it did limit the number of lot winners to two hundred. Every lucky lot winner was told to forward $5 to oover the expense of making out and recordingdeeds, and money orders, checks and drafts came with a rash. Tho lucky winners won between five and six thousand lots. In presenting its scheme to the public the Riverhead Investment company issued a Dircrs eye view of the country surrounding Its property. It represents a town handsomely laid out, with a magnificent park running through the middle of it.

Riverhead Is close at hand beautiful hotels appear scattered through tho territory; the sound is shown on the north, while the Atlantic ocean and tho south side hotels appear in close proximity, and Shelter island, which is really twenty three miles distant, looms up near at hand. The Eastport Land and Improvement company controls GOO acres of land at the Junction of the Sag Harbor Branch and Montauk division of tho Long Island railroad, the assessed value of which Is $2 per acre. The company is Incorporated under the laws of New York, but its certificate Is not filed in Suffolk county. The first president was Mr.H.M. Hideout, who was succeeded by Matilda Kochlor.

The property has not been laid out. Four hundred and ninety five deeds have thus far been recorded, and thousands of lots have been conveyed to small holders at $3 and upward each. Tho Metropolitan Investment compatiy, of which Aquila W. Wauamaker is president, with an office Fulton street, this city, ami at Pfil F.roadwav Nmv Vnpk ceo acres at Edeemore. in tho town of I of Doer This tract cf land Is assessed at $4,500.

The company ha sold tietw.vn 8,000 and 10, "On lots at $2." per lot. The tract is laid out In streets and tho lots staked ine utrun isiami nomesteau investment! company eo ntrols thirty acres asscs.sed at $2 per acre at Lake Grove. It has disposed of! many building lots. Tho City Prosperity, which is located in the scrub oaks somewhere between Moriches and the Middle Island road, has changed its officers a number of times and appears to bo selling very few lots. The Moriches Land and Improvement company, which was organized under tho laws of New York, has not filed Its certificate of incorporation in the county clerk's office.

Us ftcult to define or locate. The assessors of the town of Brookhaven will not put any tract on the rolls that would be assessed at less than $100, and in most of the other towns a similar rule prevails. It. is claimed that It does not pay to collect taxes on a smaller value than this. In the town of Babylon parcels worth $25 are assessed, for the purpose of reaching the Breslau property, which was sold in lots to small purchasers.

Many of the companies col lect the taxes themselves from the purchasers of the lots. As stated previously, tho land is, as a rule, assessed as a whole, at from to 55 per acre and the. land companies continue in many cases to pay the taxes on their property as a whole, and collect from the individual lot owners a yearly tax of from 50 cents to $1 per lot. In many instances the lot owners have r'omitted the amount direct to the county treasurer, but it is invariably returned by him to the senders. One of the largest companies has received the annual tax tribute; of a year from each of 3,000 lot owners, while the whole tax on the property containing these lots is less than $50.

Letters are constanly being received by county officials at Riverhead, making inquiries concerning lots, their location, taxes to bo paid on them and other particulars. The town clerks and postmaster also receive hundreds of letters about them. So numer ous are the inquiries made of the county treasurer, as to taxes, tnat printed replies have been prepared and sent out, stating that taxes, on the lots are not charged to different individuals, but that the tract containing them is assessed as a whole. The disposition of lots, according to the rules of the different companies, which cannot be located and are never assessed or taxed separately, often places a cloud on the title, which usually cannot be straightened out except by adverse possession, or by an order of the court, proceedings which take time and money. As the lots cannot be lo cated the tracts cannot be sold as a whole for taxets.

In some instances purchasers or owners of these large tracts of land upon which there may be five or ten htousand building low sold to hundreds of various owners, have Induced the holders of these lots to exchange their holdings for a similar area set aside for the purpose in some portion of the main tract, where they may be bunched together, staked out and located and become of some value to the Individual owner. Such a course tends to remove any cloud from the title of the whole tract. Searching out the ad dresses of the various owners is a task of magnitude. A new plan has lately been adopted to su persede the building lot scheme, which has fallen somewhat into disfavor. It is to cut up the large tracts into five acre farms.

A farm of five acres is sold for $100. William H. Moffit has been selling such farms from an 1,100 acre tract at Wampmissic in the scrub oaks, south of Medford and Yaphank, which he bought of William J. Weeks. He has sold them all out.

He got an option on 3,000 acres more of Mr. Weeks' property on the north side of 'e railroad tract. He sells these five acre plots for about $25 per acre and many industrious Germans buy them with the intention of ultimately locating there and clearing them up. These plots are properly defined and located by stakes. The Agricultural Land company is another organization dealing in farming plots.

It offers five acre lots to purchasers who "want to come out, buy a farm and be independent of the world." Daniel L. Risley of Philadelphia bought 500 acres of George Helene, south of Miller's Place last June, which wae plotted up into five acre tracts and sold on the installment plan. Mr. Risley has since purchased the Thomas W. Wood farm of GOO acres, near Happauge, for $6,000.

He will offer the property in five acre plots. It is cleared farm and timber land and can be made available for agricultural purposes without trouble. A Western firm located at various times in Wisconsin and Minnesota, but with headquarters at present in Ohio, has lately been selling large tracts out of the Squaw pit purchase at Babylon. The last sale was of 1,000 acres, out of the southern corner of the property. A heavy mortgage that was placed on the tract, at the time of the purchase, has been satisfied.

In 1877 a company opera ting in the Quogue plains adopted a plan of securing as an investor some man of national reputation and using his name to boom its property. This company, headed by one Robinson, used the name of ex President Grant to great advantage. It had purchased from a man named Griffiths a most desolate tract of pines on the Quogue plains, between Quogue and Riverhead; containing l'OOO acres, for 50 cents an acre. The valuable timber had all been cut from It and Griffiths was to get rid of it at amy price. The company's prospectus pictured the land in glowing terms, stating that it was near the handsome residence of.

General John A. Dix, at Westhampton. General Grant was induced to invest In the tract at $7 an acre, but when he learned the true value of the land he compelled Robinson to take back the property. The name, however, still sticks to the tract, and persons selling adjacent property have described it in their deeds as bounded on one side by the land of the late Ulysses S. Grant.

It is safe to say the name has aided the sale of hundreds of acres of Suffolk county land. One tract adjoining the Grant land and assessed' at 50 cents an acre was mortgaged for $5,500. One of the operators in the deal was caught In Boston and sent to state prison. In several cases tracts of land ha ve been deeded to prominent men for a nominal consideration to secure the influence of their power in real estate operations. Long Island land has furnished the medium of lively speculation for more than half a century and booms without number have inflated and burst In that time.

One of the first real estate bcoms in Suffolk county occurred in 1S35, when fne of Jamesport was laid out and an effort was made to build up a town devoted to shipbuilding and manufactures. Jn six years forty houses were erected, but with the decline of shipping interests the growth of the place stopped. The building of the Long Island railroad formed tho basis of a decided real estate boom in the years from 1335 to 1840. The fact that 400,000 acres of land was to be placed within a few hours' ride of the city greatly interested would be speculators, and when it was found that tho land was practically without value, except for the timber on it, and could be purchased for $10 per acre, all sorts of schemes were devised for its development. Mineola, Hicksvllle and Farming dale were destined for cities, and Doer Park was to become tho metropolis of the town of Huntington.

Building lots sold freely and the structure to the north of the station cf Deer Park, known as th.e Octagon house, was built and pointed out as a model of the future stylo of architecture for the town. The famous Sumpwam tract was cut up into lots and found ready purchasers, principally anions the farmers of the vicinity. Land $2 75 Solid Oak Book Stand, adjustable shelves. Former price $4,50. BROOKLYN, N.

Y. near Park, tinder the direction of the Augus tinian fathers, and at St. Augustine's church. Sterling place and Sixth avenue, under the direotlon of the Redemptoris fathers from Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Fifth avenue and Fifty ninth street, this city. The quarterly conference of the priests ot the diocese will be held on Tuesday and Thursday next at St.

John's college, Beginning at 11 o'clock on each day. Two papers will be read, one on the scriptures entitled "Authenticity of the Books of Moses" and the other on the dogma entitled "T'he Indissolubility of the Christian Marriage." The Rev. Robert O'Donovan, lately ordained at All Hallows college, arrived in this city on Monday last. Father O'Donovan was ordained for the Brooklyn diocese and was sent to St. Mary's church.

Long Island City. The Rev. James Bobier of Bay Shore, L. who left some weeks since on a tour through the holy land, has written to one of his fellow priests in this city, announcing that he arrived safely in Jerusalem, and had visited a number of the shrines. He further states that he hopes to spend the feasts of St.

Joseph, March 19, and the Annunciation, March 25, in Nazareth. A thing that has caused a good deal ol comment among some of the Catholics of the city, and which has been the cause of some severe criticism, is the announcement made that tho progressive euchre parties inaugurated in some of the city parishes during the winter months are to be continued during the Lenten season. Much speculation haa been made as to whether Bishop McDonnell will permit these games to continue during this season of penance. The Rev. Alexander P.

Doyle of the Paullst fathers, began a course of Lenten sermons in St. James' pro cathedral cn Wednesday evening las The church was crowded to the doors. These sermons will be continued every Wednesday evening during Lent. The Tabernacle society, attached to St. John's chapel, will hold a meeting in tho Sunday school hall, cn Vanderbilt avenue, tomorrow afternoon ta 3 o'clock.

The forty hours' devotion which was held in St. John's chapel on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday of last week was well attended and was a source of much satisfaction to the Rev. James H. Mitchell, the pastor. The regular Lenten services will he held in this churcb on Thursday evenings at 7:30 o'clock.

The course of sermons has been arranged as follows: March 11, "How Did the Saints Regard Sin," the Rev. John C. York of Huntington L. March 18, "A Happy Death and Its Patron, St. Joseph," the Rev.

William 13. Farrell of Hempstead, L. March 25, feast of the Annunciation, "Queen of Heaven Our Guide Toward Home," tho Rev. T. J.

O'Brien, S. T. L. April 1, "Give an Account of Thy Stewardship," the Rev. William T.

McGuirl of the Church of the Visitation; April 8, "The Wrath of Our Outraged Father." On April 16, Good Friday, a Dominican father will deliver the sermon and on Easter Sunday a Jesuit father will preach. On the Sunday evenings during Lent the priests of the parish will give instructions on the "Commandments of God." The Rev. James H. Kelly is still assisting the Rev. M.

J. Murray at Brentwood. The latter has not fully recovered from his late Illness. On Tuesday evening last a smoker and housewarming was given by the members of St. Joseph's Young Men's union in their club house on Dean street, near Vanderbilt avenue.

Tho interior of the building had been newly decorated at a large outlay of money and the rooms presented a very fine appearance. A general meeting of the St. Vincent de Paul conferences of this city will be held this evening at 8 o'clock in the hall attached to the Church of Our Lady of Victory, Mc Donough street, near Thro op avenue. The annual reports from the conferences for the year 1896 will be read. Addresses will be made by the Rev.

James Woods, the pastor of the Church of Our Lady of Victory, and. the Very Rev. Mgr. P. J.

McNamara, V. the spiritual director of the society. Forty hours' devotion will begin this morning after the last ma ss at St. Nicholas church, Devoe street, and St. Edward's church.

Canton street. Next Sunday the same devotion will be held in. St. Michael's church, Fourth avenue and Forty second street. Tho Rev.

Michael M. Wagner of St. Barbara's church is at Thomasville, where he intends to make about soven weeks' stay. MY LADY'S DRESSER. Dainty llttlo dressing table, With thy countless puffs and trays.

You reflect my lady's beauty All her sweet and gracious ways. If upon thy silken cover, She, perchance, a rose doth lay, Tell me, little dressing tublo. Was it mine she kept to day? Beveled glass that lights her beauty, If within thy rim she'd stay, mayhap, might steal her mirror. And retain my charming fay. FLORENCE PROVOST CLARENDON.

On Thursday night the friends, of Mr. Pe. rsiva tendered him a jdftjse at the home of hla 6ATH0LIC CHUECH NOTES. Arrangements have been completed for the celebration of the silver jubilee of the ordination of the Rev. P.

F. O'Hare, pastor of St. Anthony's church, at reenpoint avenue and Milton street. The arrangements have been in charge of tho Rev. John M.

Klely, tho pastor of the Church of the Transfiguration, who has been assisted by the curates of St. Anthony's church. Beautifully engraved cards of invitation have been issued to the pastors and friends of Father O'Hare and the programme arranged tor the celebration is. very elaborate. Friday, March 19, is the day on which the anniversary will fall, but it has been decided not to hold the celebration until the Sunday following, March 21.

Solemn high moss will be celebrated at 11 o'clock, at which the Rev. John M. Klely will preach. Mgr. Martlnelli, the apostolic delegate, haa signified his intention of being present, and the Right Rev.

Charles E. McDonnell has also been invited to attend. In the evening grand solemn vespers will be sung and a sermon will be preached by the Rev. Michael G. Flan nery of ihe Church of the Star of the Sea, Far Rockaway.

A special feature of the evening service will be the singing of Cap poccio's "Laudate Puere." Psalm 112, which will be led by the Rev. Eugene j. Donnelly of St. Michael's church, Flushing, L. who will sing the solo parts, and will he joined in the choruses by the chancel oaoir of St.

Anthony's church of forty voices. Father Donnelly has a cultivated voice, which he trained while studying in Rome. He is one of the regularly appointed sync dam chanters of the diocese, and, with the Rev. John M. Kiely, leads in singing the chants at requiems of priests and at all services at which the chanting cf psalms by priests is required.

Another silver Jubilee celebration which is under way is the twenty fifth anniversary of the ordination of the Rev. James S. Duffy, pastor of St. Agnes' church at Sackett and Hcyt street, which will occur on June 30. Father Duffy has gone on a short trip to Thom asville, where he is the guest of Mrs.

Grace Masury. The parishioners have taken advantage of his absence and a meeting was called on Tuesday night last when an organization was formed to take the matter of the celebration in hand. The meeting was called to order by the Rev. Father Flynn, the assistant rector, and Edward Feehey was elected permanent chairman. There were about 150 people present.

It was suggested that the celebration be of three days' duration and end in a grand banquet. A second meeting has been called for Tuesday evening next, when a committee of twenty five will be appointed to take the matter in charge and begin active work. The committee in charge of the lectures to be delivered on Sunday evening next in the Montauk theater for the benefit of the monastery of the Precious Blood, on Putnam avenue, by the Rev. Luke Grace of the Niagara university, has announced the following programme: Finale from quintet, Op. 76, Jadassohn, the Venth quintet; Cuius animam, from "Stabat Mafer," tlossinl, James McKenna; "Reverie," "fionhi, T.noi trlnrr iinrtrtf.

"Affnun 'Del," Bizet, Herman Dietman, with ac compammenc or vioun, organ. ana piano: Adoration," Venth, the Venth quintet, composed expressly for the occasion: "My Redeemer," Buck, James McKenna; "Ave Maria." Gounod, violin and 'cello solo. Venth and. Riederich; lecture; "Priests' March." from "Athalie," Mendelssohn, the Venth quintet; "If thou wert only true," "Listen to the slsn," "Sleep, baby, sleep." Venth, new, first time, Herman Dletmann: Intermezzo, Mascagnl, the Venth quintet; "Babylon," Watson, Mrs. J.

T. Brennan prize song. Wagner, the Venth. quintet: "The Holy City," Adams, J. T.

Brennan: "Traumerei." Schumann, string quartet; "Miserere," Verdi. Mr. and Mrs. J. T.

Brennan; sacred march from "Prophet," Meyerbeer, the Venth quintet. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday of this week will be ember days. The monthly meeting of St. John's Chapel Sewing circle was held on Monday afternoon last. The reports read showed that 343 garments had been distributed to twenty four families from fourteen parishes.

This made a total of 1,773 garments distributed since the opening of the season on November 2 last. An address was made by the Rev. James H. Mitchell before the meeting closed. Grand Lenten cervices will begin to night in tho Church of the Holy Rosary, Chauncey street, near Reld avonue.

The regular choir of the church will bo assisted by well known artists. Tho sermon will be preached by iie Rov. Father Donny, S. J. The prize winners at the euchre of the Sacred Heart branch, Catholic Benevolent Women's association, which was held on Tuesday night last in the hall of the Sacred Heart institute, were as follows: First women's prize, Miss Benner, ten games, rocker; second, Miss Rockloff, ten games, bras3 mirror; third, Miss K.

Carrlstpn, nine games, painted plaque; fourth, Mrs. McGlone, nine games, dish; fifth. Miss A. McElhinny, nine games, vase; sixth, Miss La Rock, nine games, chocolate pot; seventh, Miss Mullady, Dresden clock; first men's prize, W. Leitch, eight and a half games, silk umbrella; second, the Rev.

P. J. Fabey, eight games, toilet set; third, George O'Donnell, eight games, order for a hat; fourth, P. Powers, eight garaeB, wallet; fifth, J. B.

Keenan, seven and a half games; box of cigars; sixth, William M. Duffy, seven and a half games, muffler. Missions will be opened this morning in tho Church of tho Sacred Heart, Clermoat avenue. parents, izs iieyju,.