The account given in Thursday’s issue of our paper is mainly correct, as to sales of the Public Property at Harpers Ferry, for the first day ; the item for the “right to dig ore on Friend’s Ore Bank,” should have been $13,100, instead of $1,300, purchased by W. C. Bradley, or the Antietam Iron Works, Md.
The second and third days sales began on Washington or High street with the Dwelling Houses built on the North side of that street, all of which realized good prices : Mrs. Boerly, $2,600; Mrs. Dailey $1,425 ; H. V. Daniels, $2,025 ; Dr. J. S. O’Donnell, $2,275 ; Ed. Murphy, $2,375 ; James McGraw, $1,000. I. Gilbert–an industrious and well-to-do colored citizen of Harper’s Ferry–$950; Daniel Ames, $1,225; Thos. W. Gallaher, $1,750 ; these named purchasers are but a few of the fine Houses and Lots, disposed of at this sale. The terraced hill side, sloping on Washington street to the Armory grounds, affording fine building ground for cottage residences, which many years ago, dotted this portion of the town, with beautiful gray and flowery yards and gardens was disposed of.
About 240 Lots, many with buildings upon them, were sold– each of which contains sufficient land for future building purposes– the whole of which, have been laid off on a Mpa, platted by S. Howell Brown, Esq., Surveyor, with streets, blocks and lots, projected under the instructions of Capt. D. J. Young, U. S. A., and Ordinance Storekeeper at Harper’s Ferry, and approved and signed by the Secretary of War, and to be recorded hereafter among the land records of the County of Jefferson, W. Va. Mr. Brown, in the mapping of this Plat, with the vary laborious preliminary surveys necessary therefor, has done himself a great credit, and he deserves it all.
The future progress of the old town of Harper’s Ferry seems to be now assured– improvement will, unquestionably, follow this sale. As an instance, it is stated that a gentleman contracted, in writing, for the exclusive right to dig clay, for brick, on a neighboring farm, and as an evidence of his earnestness in the business and his confidence in the situation of things, paid two thousand dollars, cash down, to the owner.
The same may be observed as witnessed in the sprightly springing steps of the citizens, not only of the town, but also, of the people in the vicinity, who depend for prosperity in many respects, on the prosperity of the towns of Bolivar and Harper’s Ferry.
The aggregate amount of sales was $294,444,50 which, we have been informed, will satisfy that provision of the Law of Congress, approved Dec. 15, 1868, which required that the principal sum of purchase money paid for said property by the United States, be refunded to the United States. It is proper to report that ample donations were made by the government, of fee simple estates in all the Lots heretofore held for religious charitable, school and town purposes.– Free Press
