Rensselaer Union, Volume 11, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 April 1879 — About Town Lots. [ARTICLE]

About Town Lots.

Editor* of Tax Unioh: There are four additions to onr town, nicely laid out (on paper) irt blocks, lots, streets ana alleys. But where these blocks, lots, streets and alleys really are the owners themselves could not tell without the aid of a surveyor. A considerable portion of the land* embraced in these additions are utilized as calf pastures, and are interspersed with hideous ponds, covering a number of acres, the water therein being from six inches to two feet in depth, and rendering access to the best of thtf lots'next to impossible one-halt the year. It is not at all strange that the lots in these additions find no purchasers. No one, of course, with any discretion, wishes to purchase a lot which a surveyor may locate in the middle of a slough, or which, if found on high ground, cannot be reached much of the time without wading knee-deep in water. Beside these inconveniences sanitary consideradeter anyone having regard for his own health and the health of his family from building a home upon such a lot. These lbts, if owned by many persons, from the difficulty of obtaining united action, could not be improved as conveniently or cheaply as they can be by their present owners. The consideration of this fact alone prevents their sale, and will continue to pteVenl ihclr sale while they remain in their present condition. As the proprietors of these town additions have gone to the trouble and expense of surveys, plats and recording, it be inferred that they are willing to sell lots at fair prices and on reasonable terms. Before anything can be sold to advantage it must be placed in a salable condition" This fact is universally recognized by the vendors dt all kinds p,f merchandise and live stock. One wishing to sell a horse is not indifferent as to his “show off.” The same rule that governs other commodities, holds good wjtli reference to town lots. Certainly as to location, dryness, convemgnce of nocess, healthy and agreeable surroundit.gs, are qualities that can not fail to impress those desiring

ti> purchase. Suppose that the ponds referred to, which at present are the homes of snakes and frogs, and malarial exhalations, were removed by a little judicious draining; that the corners of each block were clearly indictated by stone permanently fixed and marked; that a small ditch, made with plow and scraper, defined the sides of the streets and served as channels for the escape of water; and that a row of shade trees set at intervals of thirty or forty feet, and property protected, adorned each side of every street —would hot appearances in these paper additions be changed jiu raensely for the better? Then they would show for themselves that they were part of the town. Inducements to acquire desirable homes would be held out to pur chasers. The proprietor could then, with pride and conscience, put their property in market, and, at reasonable prices, they would assuredly find buyers. I venture the opinion that the improvements above suggested can be made at an expense of not exceeding two dollars for each lot 7

I write upon this subject because it is one in which every one feels an Interest who desires the growth apd prosperity of the town. Ronsselaer, kept back for years for tire want of a cailroad, is now favored in that respect. With the numerous its location it must in a short time greatly increase in size and population, if a commendable spirit of enterprise is exhibited by those who now most prominently qontrol its prosperity. Let tjiem show the proper enterprise and be liberally encouraged byour citizens—as they should be —and the wonderful changes for the better that will rapidly develope will please and astound us all. Pro Bono Publico. April 2, 1879. --yp*>; " I*. ,M; writes from Pleasant jonrned for a °short vacation. It Will meet again oh thelast Sunday in April for re-organization.