Ledger # 2 of Walter B. Gwyn

pages 400 - 499

Asheville, N.C.

Aug. 10/96

Cal. W. H. Young
City.

Dear Sir-

I would like to see you. There is a man with some good town property in the west, improved property rented, he says, who would exchange for Asheville property, and you might trade him your plan subject to the mortgage. I told him where you property was and he said he might look at it I am speaking of Rev. J.E. Gilbert, the bible man.
Call and see me.

Yours Truly,

W.B. Gwyn

Asheville, N.C.

Aug. 10/96
[Dear Lee…]

Asheville, N.C.

Aug. 10/96
[Dear Graham]

J.A. Tennent Esq.,

Asheville, N.C., August 12^th, 1896
Dear Sir;

Will you please go down to the Gilliatt house on Failey St., No 87-cor Phillip St., and see what you will charge to renew the front steps and balustrade there-to, and also a small space of the porch flooring, say from the south edge of the said steps to the front door, where nearly all of the boards are decaying. The new steps should of course be painted, but I suppose the floor would like better not painted, as all of the floor would in that case have to be painted to look well.
When Mr. Walker was out at the house jacking up matters, I tried to [?] him the necessity of lifting the doors sufficiently so that they would not drag again- several of them are as bad as ever, particularly one of the dining room doors, which strikes again at the top, and two of the upstairs bed room doors, which drag so it is impossible to lock them without lifting- a great annoyance- Mr. Walker ought to attend to this without charge- he can do it in a few minutes I suppose.

Yours Truly,

P.S. The matter of the doors at our house, I would like to have attended to immediately.

Asheville, August 12^th, 1896

Messrs. J. R. Rich & Son-

City.

Gentlemen;

I am not very well, and cannot get about in the sun- I wish you would send a competent plumber down to 87 Bailey St., cor Phillip St., the Gilliatt house, and see if there is anything wrong with the plumbing in the water closets there. There are two closets, both out of doors- self acting closets. Also examine the non-freezing hydrant at back door- I think something ought to be done about that, There was a gully which did…with stone, making a covered ditch, with its mouth some twenty five feet away. If you think this not unwholesome, it might do to straighten the hydrant up (it leans over considerably) but if you think it unsanitary, the covered ditch ought to be torn away, and filled up, in which case, if it should be necessary to raise the hydrant that ought to be done, and let the water flow off on top of the ground. A Mrs. Evans has moved in there, and I would like for plumber to consult her views and wishes on the subject.
In any case, please send estimate of what you think necessary to be done, all around, and what you will charge for doing it.
Yours Truly

Mr. Chas. McNamee

Asheville, N.C., Aug. 8^th, 1896.
Biltmore N.C.

Dear Sir;

The inclosed bill for cream, .75, had from the Biltmore dairy last April, I carried home to Mrs. Gwyn, who requests me to say to you that, as sixty cents of the hill, she got 4 pints of cream which soured quickly in a large refrigerator, in which was twenty five pounds of ice- the cream was set upon the ice. She explained this fact to the delivery boy, who saw the soured cream and agreed that there would be no charge for it. As to the other fifteen cts she says that it is for a pint bought afterwards, for which she sent the money out to the wagon by a servant who left her employ that morning, and may not have paid the boy, though she thinks this quite unlikely, as the boy had previously told some of the servants that Mrs. Gwyn could get no more cream from his wagon until she paid for what she had already gotten.
She thinks you ought to be informed of the conduct of the man and young boy who were in charge of this wagon. She says that after the incident of the soured cream they made themselves very unpleasant and again demanded money for it, which she declined to pay. After that they refused to sell her cream for cash, being applied to more than once, and on each occasion they said they had none.

It was a disappointment to her, as she had to depend on the Biltmore Dairy for cream at that season, and had been using considerable amounts for some guests that took oatmeal and cream for breakfast.
The weather was very warm at the time and undoubtedly the cream did not reach the house in proper condition to keep over night, or else it would have kept, for as above stated there was a good refrigerator well supplied with ice into which it was immediately put.
I ought to have written these facts to you when the bill was sent on a former occasion, as Mrs. Gwyn asked me to do, but I forgot it.

H.R. Fitzgerald Esq.,
Asheville, N.C., August 13, 96
Drawer A.N.-
Danville, V.A.

Dear Sir;

Your esteemed favor of the 10^th was duly received, and should have been answered yesterday.
You have stated the case correctly in the first sentence of your letter. The notes are not in my hands, but are, I think, in the Battery Park Bank, Asheville. You can send check direct to the said bank, and I would advise your writing receipt for signature, as well as putting somewhere on the check a memorandum showing what it is worth more to some months.
Regarding the market value of the lot, it is worth more to some one who, like your late brother, wants it to live on (takes a special fancy to it) than it is to buy on a speculation. There are probably other lots still on the market in that vicinity that are better bar gains to buy and hold than that lot would be at the price at which your brother bought it. Still, I would not advise sacrificing it, and I will cheerfully take charge of it and sell it for you at such reasonable prices as you may set on it. I would not advise much advance. I am told that your brother had, himself, rather tired of it, and was looking out for another improvement, when the dread summons came to him. The lot is convenient to ear line, and on public road, but has no sewer connection. I shall be pleased to hear from you again soon. My commissions for selling are 5%.
Yours Very Truly

Asheville, N.C. Aug. 13, 1896
Chas. McNamee Esq.,
Biltmore, N.C.

Dear Sir;

The inclosed bill has been sent to me twice, and I will be glad to explain it somewhat to you.
Last Spring, for quite a period, Mrs. Gwyn bought cream from the Biltmore dairy, taking from a pint to a quart and a half per day. During the heated term in Paril, the quantities for which she is charged in the bill turned to clabber, with the same treatment that had been given it all along, namely, being placed in the ice chest as soon as bought. Mrs. Gwyn showed the cream to the boys on the wagon and told them that she thought it but just to herself not to have to pay full price, at least, for such cream, as the only reason they could give for its turning sour that the cows were affected by the hot weather as much as people. She thought the matter was settled then and there, notwithstanding that the boys were not very polite about it; but from the presentation of the bill these two times, we suppose that another explanation is in order.
Very Truly Yours

Asheville, N.C., August 13^th, 1896
Capt. Wm. M. Hazzard-

Annandale, S.C.

Dear Sir;
Mr. Graham was in this morning, and requested me to write to you and say that if you want his land adjoining yours on the mountain, he has forty acres there which you can have a on long time at $100.00 per acre, and he will take all the chances on depreciated money by Bryan’s election- in other words, he will not require gold notes. Mr. graham says he is a Bryan silver man- I was one of the few gold bugs around here, very pronounced in my views- but when the National Democracy declared for free silver, I realized that the people are never going to satisfied until they try it, and I suppose they might as well try it now. I could not, if the two propositions of adhering to present coinage laws or trying free silver were presented to me uncomplicated with other matters, decide to take up the experiment, but, however decided my views, I realized that there are some very able and honest men in the South who are quite as positive the other way, and I think I am justifiable in deferring to the views they hold, rather than going with the old “enemy”, the high tariff Republicans. I positively will not stand any populist electors no the ticket though.

With kind regards, Yours Very Truly

Asheville, N.C. August 13^th, 1896
Mr. H.P. Phipps-
Morristown, N.J.
Dear Sir;

Recalling our correspondence about the Boilston Mine, I think you stated that your customers were afraid the quantity of ore would not hold out. This fear must have been a negative one, rather than one proceeding from any estimate upon what the engineer found out from his short examination of the mine- I take it that only development will tell the true condition of the deposit, and that an estimate by the best expert in the world without going down on the veins would be largely guess work.
Now I have a plan to propose to your people- I do not make an authorized proposition by any means, but merely a suggestion- it is this- suppose your people advance on first mortgage to the Boilston mining company, say two thousand dollars- a part of which sum to be use in clearing some small encumbrances, and the rest in sinking a deep shaft at some point to be agreed upon, and under such superintendence and direction, and surveillance as may be decided on, for the purpose of determining the value of the property.
The property, at the worst, would be worth a great deal more than the sum advanced, and might prove very valuable. They would of course want an option at some price, but that ought not to be small. Please communicate with them at once and see what they think of it.

Care Messrs. Munroe &Co., Paris.

My Dear Sir;

The Rev. J.E. Gilbert is trying to exchange some Western property for a home in Asheville, and one of the properties he has examined is that of Col. Young, the subject of your five thousand dollar mortgage.

I don’t much think they will trade, but they want to know how much you are willing to leave on all the land except the house and a lot about 80 feet front, say 105 wide on the back, and 165 deep on the North line, as laid off experimentally by me some time ago. It may be desirable on account of the location of the stable to run the lot back to 200 feet in depth. As laid off, there remain one lot on the front, 50 feet and eight back lots 50 ft front nearly 200 ft average depth. My subdivision provided for cutting off 15 feet of the North side to be added to 15 from abutting owner to be used as a street by both.

Whether those two come to a trade or not, I would be obliged for an expression on the subject from you, as I have in mind another party who might buy the house at a low price provided satisfactory arrangements can be made with you as to your debt.

The Rev. J.E.G. has just asked me for your address, and he says he is going to assault you at this long range on the auditorium matter they are now stirring up again, as you will see betimes by the “Citizen”.

When Mrs. Pack told me last Spring that she was anxious to get you to Yerrup to escape this Summer’s heat, I thought to myself that surely you might keep cool at Asheville, but the summer has been of such extraordinary fierceness in America that you probably made a very lucky escape. I have not seen it over 85, and only once at that on our Westiporch before the sun gets round to heat up the porch. But I see by the papers that the official records admit a temperature of 90 degrees one day.

I feel a little less like a baby this afternoon than I have felt for days- been living on bread, milk dashed with whiskey, ginger pepsin, bismuth and anxiety all August.
A Republican told me today in all seriousness that many of the heat prostrations in new York were caused by anxiety about the silver question- people worth a half million, he said were trembling for fear of the Poor House. I suggested that Bryan’s invasion might aggravate the evil, and he seriously said he thought it would, greatly. This man, it is fair to state, is just recovering from a carbun (“c” or “k”? I forget which) le, and says he has another coming- I have been thinking, and have said a time or two, that I believed t he sun would keep on rising in a generally Eastern direction, at least, no matter which of the smooth shaven gents is elected in Nov.

Asheville, N.C. Aug. 15/96

J.E.Reed, Esq.

City

Dear Sir;

I have a customer for a suburban lot, and I have priced the corner lot beyond G.W. White’s house at $1,200. If you want it, offered for less- I think purchasers would pay $1,000- but I think it best- to give you a say about it- first, as it has been some time since we talked about it. I think you had better come in Monday morning or send me a note by a messenger.
I am now in Cocke’s new building, C. Church St. and Patton Avenue- room No. 9 second floor. It is lot No. 7 on enclosed map, 235 feet deep and about 175 feet across on an average.

Yours Truly,
W.B. Gwyn
PS. I told him I would rather he would take to No. 6 and No. 7 at $1,800. If you want to make a lower price on the two, let me know.
W.B.G.

Asheville, N.C., August 18^th, 1896.
Maj. H.C. Hunt-
City.

Dear Sir;
I can name you a somewhat better price no that lot now, so please call, if your man is still in the notion of buying. I was sick at home yesterday, but am back at office again now.
Yours Truly

Asheville, N.C. August 18^th, 1896.

James M. Gwyn Esq.

Springdale N.C.

Dear Brother;

I have been knocked out all this month- my old trouble came back on me- first time that I can remember for about ten years past. It is very weakening can keeps me very anxious all the time; have to avoid the sun and active exercise carefully.
I am clean out of money, having made very little in July, and still less, up to date in August- I shall have to make a good deal to catch up with current running expenses, to say nothing of the interest on the house debt, which I have to keep up or the roof of the house will slide off. I suppose this must be what folks mean by saying they have to keep a roof over their heads. My prospects could hardly look bluer than they do now, and to be frank with you, I don’t know what is the worst you may reasonably have to expect, tho’ so far as the Battery Park Bank Debt is concerned, I hope they will not press it.
Hope you are all well
Yours affectionately

Asheville, N.C. Aug. 18, 1896.

WM. E. Breese Jr. Esq.,

City.

Dear Sir;

I think I have a house now that will suit you. It is Roger Grant’s house on Montford Avenue. It is a good house, contending just about the requisite number of room, has plenty of shade, fronts East; lot is 85 feet x 200. I am directed by him to ask $5,500.00. There is a mortgage of $1,600 on it, he says, the interest of which he has kept up- 8%. You can get possession the 23^rd of September. This place is certainly well worth looking at, and I shall be glad to look at it with you. Come and see me- I am very “poorly” in health, and am forbidden to run around any- but can easily go out there with you on the cars.
Yours Truly

Asheville, N.C. August 18^th, 1896.

Asheville Cotton Mills-

City.

Gentlemen;

Messrs. R.G. Dun & Co. have sent me for collection a claim against you by the General Electric Co. for $52.06-
Kindly send check for the bill, or, if you do not intend to pay it, please write me why not.

Yours Truly

Asheville, N.C., August 18^th, 1896.

J.E.Reed Esq.,

Asheville,

Dear Sir;

Maj. Hunt called this afternoon, and said his man offers to pay $1,000 for lot No. 7, Block XV, Cumberland Avenue, paying $400 cash and the balance in two equal annual installments of $300 each, with an interest at 4 per cent per annum. This makes a difference of $6.00 of the first payment, and $12.00 on the second, or $18.00 in all. Hunt says the man called at his office this morning and failed to find him in- that he, Hunt called on him this afternoon, and he told Hunt about his having called this morning to make him an offer and that he was glad he was not in, as he was going to make him an offer, and then he told him what he was going to offer, which was the above. I mention these facts as showing something about the man- Hunt thinks that is the very best the fellow will do, but thinks he will still do that. I told Hunt I would let him know tomorrow after dinner, or Thursday morning. I suspect it would be better for you to come and see me as soon as you get this.
Yours Truly

Asheville, N.C. August 19^th, 1896.

J.B.Bostic Esq.

City.

Dear Sir;

Lots Nos. 18 and 19 of Block X, are withdrawn from market for the present- lots Nos. 20 and 21 of said block I have sold. I have reference to the lots of which I gave you the prices yesterday.

Yours Truly,
W.B. Gwyn

Asheville, N.C., August 19^th, 1896.

S.C. Cortland Esq.

City.

Dear Sir;

I have sold lots Nos. 20 and 21 of block X, as I heretofore informed you. Please take notice that lots Nos. 18 and 19 of the same block are withdrawn from the market, for the present.
Yours Truly,

W.B.Gwyn

Asheville, N.C., August 19^th, 1896.

Messrs. R.G. Dun & Co.,

Commercial Bank Building,
Albany, N.Y.

Gentlemen;

There was place in my hands for collection by your Knoxville agt., a few days ago, a claim of $52.06 in favor of the General Electric Co., Vs the Asheville Cotton mills- your docket No. 51,110, as I read it. I addressed a letter to the defendant Co., in reply to which I get the inclosed letter, which should be, eventually, returned to me. As the letter sets up the full defense they expect to make, and the parties are of well known solvency. I await further instructions from you as to further procedure.

Yours Very Truly

August 22^nd, 1896

The Southern Mt. Building & Loan Asso.,

Atlanta, Ga.
Gentleman;

I inclose a copy of the complaint filed at this term against the association by J.J. Noland et al, which you need not return, as I made a duplicate.
Please send me full data for filing answer. I should have, by right, until next term (December) to answer, as plaintiffs filed their complaint on the 4^th day of the term; and I shall of course insist upon that right, but should be in a position immediately to file answer if need be. The term last two weeks yet.

Yours Truly

Aug. 22, 1896.

C. E. Graham Esq.,

City.

Dear Sir;

Dr. Gilbert went off on the 18^th, but I have heard from him, with an offer of exchange of his Delaware property for your Randolph place. I hardly think you will accept his terms, but, as he sent an abstract and description of his Ohio place, you had better come in and see me about it, so I can write him in reply.

P.S. The other man would not come to his terms.
Yours Truly

S.C. Cortland Esq.
Aug. 29/96
City.

Dear Sir-
Inclosed please find my check for $9.50 bal. yr…Lot No. 13 of block X is sold.

[Geo. W. Pack a/c W.B.Gwyn Trustee]

[Geo. W. Pack in A/c with W.B.Gwyn]

Mr. Geo. W. Pack

Aug. 27, 1890

My dear Sir;

I received your three favors dated severally the 11^th, 15^th and 19^th, for which I thank you. I enclose you a/c of myself individually and also as “trustees” for August. You will see by it that I have said for cash lots 20 and 21, block X, @ 500 ea. = $1,000- and the East side of the Whitson lot 85 X 150 for $700, ¼ cash- Also that Cortland’s sale of the last…Merricks want through O.K.- I have sold, this Bostie, lot 13, block X @ $600.00- and B. Phinks party’s sister will take No. 14 also. I think I shall seal another lot on Montford this week- I am not offering lots 18 and 19, block X- in fact I changed the No. 8 corner of lot 20 so as to be exactly in line of the old alley- Powell and Sawyer have filed in the new cards only by your Whitson lot. Quite a lot of drawing has been done over it- They got the earth from Soes. Powell says cost them about $100 including the…

I had to surrender and go to bed on 22^nd and never got back to office till 29^th. Am very weak and shaky, and O Lord how blue! I know it is weak and selfish to feel so, and Tolstoy says that “self-pity” is one of the worst and most dangerous things of…- Some … came in for a share in my case…I am about fogged out for today-
With kind regards to you all

Yours Truly

W.B.Gwyn

 Rev. J.E. Gilbert

Sept. 3/96

Washington D.C.

Dear Sir;

Your valued favor inclosing abstract as your Delaware/Ohio Property, and submitting proposition of exchange with Mr. C.E. Graham for his Town Mountain Property was received a day before I was taken down sick. I was [?] at home from 22^nd to 29^th [?]. I could not see Graham til 31^st, and he promptly declined your proposition remarking that if you…pay something like $1,500 difference he would trade. You will probably remember that when we went down and looked at his other houses on the hill near the river, we made a hasty excuse- in a house of some finely situated vacant lots near there – These are Graham’s lots, and I remember he once said he would trade you a lot there for your Delaware property. I know that for 100 feet front there he gave $3,500. I conducted the transition- it was for money. Property was higher then than now, in most quarters of town. How about Col. Young’s property on Charlotte Street, say the house and one lot only. I hold your abstract to subject to order.
Yours Very Truly,

Sept. 3/ 96
S.C. Cortland, Esq.
City
Dear Sir;

Lot No. 14, block X is sold.

Yours Truly,
W.B. Gwyn

1896 H. Aschaffeurburgh[?] Esq.

Sept. 3,

H 51 Camp St. New Orleans, La.

Dear Sir;

Yours of 31^st W. received. Your lot was given in for taxation by Mr. Geo. W. Pack along with a large number of other lots. He will not receive a [?] except for the taxes on this lot nor any other, but a general receipt for his total tax whenever he pays it- You are not entitled to any tax receipt when you pay some tax, which you will have to do some 14 months or so from now. Your [?] are at the Battery Park Bank, Asheville.

Yours Truly, W. B. Gwyn.

P.S. I did not agree that I would pay the taxes, I said Mr. Pack would- he could not get out of doing so, if he wanted to.

Geo. W. Pack, Esq.

Paris

Sept. 15/ 96

My Dear Mr. Pack,

I received your favor of Aug. 29^th, yesterday. I think it quite remarkable that you should have surmised that the sad fate of Capt. Davis’ sow would remind[?] him to leave Asheville. I heard a few days ago that he was offering his place for sale and wanted to go back to Massachusetts. I agree with you that Asheville cannot afford to lose Capt. Davis- he is a solid, thoughtful, good citizen. That Swannanoa River is a treacherous stream anyway. I remember several drawings of it- [?] I came here.

I sent you a statement of August on the 1^st [?]. I have deposited your credit in B.P. Bank $300.00 W.B.G, and $705.00 W.B.G. Trustees, aggregating 1005.00 which will distinguish deps. From the 1000 deposit in Aug. Also, as the 31^st Aug, deposited $30, for July [?]. Fostie[?] says he has sold lots 13 and 14, block X, but no papers [?]. I hope Mr. Charles will derive his great benefit- from the [?]. I am getting better. With kind regards to act.

Yours Very Truly,

W.B.Gwyn

W. A. Hoke-

N.C.

Dear Judge;

The sewer line has been laid, at last, and the bills rendered, “O.K.’d” by the City Engineer. As Mr. Campbell will probably want to see them too. I supposed I had best not inclose them, but hold them. The original estimate was for $134. 70- but the survey did reach expected quite near enough to Montford Ave., which required an exhaustion of 80 ft. at a cost of $13.28, and then the engineer decided to [?] outline[?] from the street sewer into the edge of your lot for [?], which cost $3.38m snaking a total of extras of $16.66, which added to $134.70 makes $151.36, the half of which is $75.68, and which amount they request you to send me. I have not yet been able to get a bill rendered by the gentlemen who sowed your peas[?]. I guess we can stand it a while longer if he can. I have been knocked out badly since Aug. 1^st about which date I was seized with dysentery (not diarrhea), and have [?] largely on liquid foods since. Nevertheless…wrote many pages of specifications…building plans, and would have been done now, b7ut went down flat on the 22^nd to get…on 29^th. I left off at page 23…making 3 copies as I go along. One for contractor, one to keep and one to send you. I expect to get bids from two good men here and thus send plans to try on and let you submit them to your Hickory man as suggested.

Yours Truly,

W.B. Gwyn

[Geo. W. Pack in A/C W. B. Gwyn Trustee]

Asheville N.C. W. B. Gwyn Trustee
Sept. 7/96

Dear Mr. Pack-

Please let the enclosed a/c [?] all former acp rendered by W. B. Gwyn Trustee- all others omit. The item of 22.44 bid Tennant for [?] the trees- an oversight in [?] July afc. I am troubled in mind some about the Young matter- my instructions are positive to foreclose on failure to pay interest during any month, for the preceding month- twice it has gone over one day, and I would not doubt that you approved overlooking that slight delay were it not that there has been nothing paid on back interest, which was also to be a cause of war- The prospect for the latter is not at all good owing to loss of employment by Cal. Young. They give as reason for being behind one day, the fact that Young does not get his salary, till the 1^st, May be I shall hear from you in reply to my query of 13^th street as to releasing[?] on moderate sale, in a few days.

Yours Very Truly,

W.B. Gwyn

Chas. H. Hartshorne Esq.

Sept. 9/96

Jersey City

Dear Sir;

Inclosed please find my check for $36.85 of Sept. next, less $2.00 and $1.15 repairs to sink, made July 6^th. Quite a number of people have come to me about buying the house, but none of them buy. Young Mr. Breese went with me and made a careful examination of it, but thought the rooms too small, and that he wanted one more room. A lady wanted to know what you will take for the lot on the alley and Cullowhee, 60 X 170- You used to hold it at $1,200, when your price for the property was $7,500, I have for sale the Counter part of that lot, on the South end of the block, except that it- front on West Chestnut, 80 feet, instead of 60, and is about 160 feet instead of 170- the price is $1000 and I have been unable to sell it as yet, though I have shown it to numbers of people.

In answering the inquiry, I wish you would please name a piece at which I may sell the lot first, and also a price at which I may reserve it, in case I find first a purchaser for the house. The two prices might be the same, or they might be different, according the way you may look at it.

Yours Very Truly,

W.B.Gwyn

Sept. 9/96

Received of W.B.Gwyn the following described matter payable to Geo. W. Pack or order
Three notes for $175.00 each, date Aug. 19/96 signed Jno. B. and Mary C. Whiteside

Three notes for $150.00 each, date Sept.7/96 signed by Henry M. and Carrie J. Brown

J.W. Rankin

Carlir

My Dear Mr. Pack

Sept. 12/96
I am afraid I shall have enclosed too much weight in one envelope, but I think it will reach you OK. I think you will have read in the “Citizen” before this reaches you, of our friend Talboh Penniman’s misfortune. He had got the position of Store-Keeper at Biltmore, and one morning this week, on the train going to Biltmore he was taken suddenly ill. I hear some say it is a clot on the brain, and others that it is paralysis. His oldest son, Willie, died last night at 3 o’clock with typhoid fever- a sudden bleeding I think- his mother was out at Biltmore with the father. What a heartrending time! Mrs. Penniman came in this morning, but went back to her husband, with instructions to tell him that Willie was better. The doctor said the shock might prove fatal if he was told the truth now. The family are in the Rossalle house on Clayton Street- we went there in the early afternoon. Mrs. Speed and Mrs. Martin were there. I am getting some better, but can’t eat vegetables or raw bread yet- what is raw bread an how Toast aint. With many regards,

W. B. Gwyn

Sept. 12/ 96

Dear Friend;

I was quite surprised a few days ago by your postal card. I did not know you had returned from Yerrup. I have been quite ill- not so sick these ten years. I was struck 1^st Aug. 1^st, 2^nd twice on liquid food. Cannot yet eat vegetables, or untoasted bread. I have not tasted tobacco since the 22^nd Aug. Have kept putting it off until tomorrow- I think I will give the non-use of it a fair test. I never had good health till I commanded use of it, at 21 years of age. I will close this egotistical harangue with the remark that even you could hardly have been more depressed in spirit than I have been. I shall be mighty glad to see you in October. Only write when you are coming, provide days ahead, in time to get reply as I contemplate a trip of a few days to see my mother sometime this fall. With kind regards to Madame and the young folks.
I remain, yours very truly,

W.B.Gwyn

Edward Thompson Co.
Sept. 13/96
Atlanta Ga.
Gentlemen;

The note for $20.00 given for balance neutral of the old Ed. Aus. & Eug. Eureyel[?] of [?] is a few days past due, and I write to ask you for an extension. I have been very ill and my business has suffered considerably, but I think I can pay the note before very long. I would like 60 days extension. I hope you will not be annoyed by the return of the note to you unpaid. Kindly answer and oblige.

Yours Truly,

W.B.Gwyn

 Sept. 15/96

[Miss S.L. Kerr, in A/c with W. B. Gwyn]

O.E. Edwards Esq.
Blowing Rock, N.C.

My Dear Mr. Edwards,

It has been a long time since letters poured between us. As for me, I was knocked out, about Aug. 1^st with my old trouble, first time in some ten years. I went down in earnest August 22 and got out only on 29^th. Very feeble till the last day or two, and not at all established yet. Have not worked any since Aug. 22, been putting it off till tomorrow- going to try [?] a while. Believe I shall gain some flesh, but don’t think my intellect will be quite as bright and vigorous in less euphemistic phrase. I’m afraid I shall be a bigger fool than ever. I feel drowsy and inert much of the time, and ascribe part of it to the “nowiser” of the weed. Jarvis has sold part of your share of the oat crop, but has not brought in money as promised. He said his sow would bring it in last week, for himself, he was going to the country. I noticed last spring he was quite active in politics. I think be belongs to the set that hire themselves to the Executive Campaign Committee at $2.50 per day and for a week or two before electives and on election days, to “get voters registered, and get the votes cast.”

Surely it’s a pretty mess, this political business, this year. I have said I expected to vote for Bryan- I shall vote the ticket with less relish than ever before. The people will never be satisfied until they try “free silver”- the sooner it is tried, the better, I suppose. I do not expect to cast a vote for Tom Watson for V.P. I am one little democratic [?] that Mr. Mauly and his Committee can’t deliver, in their trading and trafficking with Butler. Write soon and  tell me how you are. With kind regards to Mrs. Edwards.

Yours Very Truly,

W. B. Gwyn

#51.110
Sept. 15, 1896
Messr.
R. G. Dun & Co.
Albany, N.Y.
Gentlemen;

I herewith enclose a letter from the Asheville Cotton Mills, together with an acknowledgement of credit our a/c of Gen. Electric Co. $52.09, the full amount of the claim made by the [?] named Co. Kindly return the letter, and the statement as for request of A.C. Mills. The question now arises “Where do I come in?”
Yours Truly

W.B. Gwyn
I never had any reply from you to my letter of Aug. 19^th.

J.A. Terment Esq.

Sept. 15, 1896

City

Dear Sir;

In my letter requesting a bid on the repair, at 87 Baity St. I asked you to please send a man to my house to set some doors- you said you would, but I have no doubt it has slipped your attention. In the said letter, I said that the floor (the new boards) to be put in at 87 Bailey St., need not be painted- I noticed that the new balustrade has not been painted. Please have this done right away, it is a rough job, this balustrade. There is a rotten floor board under the railing at South Side, a hole, Mrs. Evans said your carpenter would not fix that though asked to.

Yours Truly,

W.B.Gwyn

Sept. 15, 1896

J.R. Rich & Son

City
Gentlemen;

The tenant at 87 Bailey St. insists that the work you did there is still imperfect, and is threatening to leave the place, fearing fever. She says there is a leak somewhere about the water closet in the yard. Please see about this right away.
Yours Truly,
W.B. Gwyn

F.J.W. Johnston & Co.
Sept. 17/96
535 Chestnut St., Philadelphia
Gentlemen;

[I have your catalogue Vol. 2 No. 1…]

J. A. Jarvis Esq.
Seney St., City
Sept. 19/1896

Dear Sir;

I have just received a letter from Mr. Edwards saying that his son expects to be here on the afternoon train  Monday next, the 21^st, and will go right down to the farm, and he wants you to be there, at the farm, so he can see you there. I guess it might be well for you to be on the road about the new bridge, or else down at Melton’s.

Yours Truly,

W.B.Gwyn

Miss Ida Rusha

Sept. 19^th, 1896

11 Flint St. City

Dear Miss Rusha;

If you have not positively determined not to buy any more property here at present, I would like to show you one or two more prices in which I am satisfied there is money to be made. I have now a new house in a nicely shaded lo tin edge of town $1,300, which present owner took in at mortgage sale, and bring a non-resident, and having no other interest here of any kind, wants simply to get his money back that he loaned on it. I wish you could call at office- find I am still quite sensitive to the…run around [?].

Yours Very Truly, W. B. Gwyn

P.S. I gave Miss Porter your deed from Miss Kerr.

Judge W.A. Hoke
Sept. 19/1896

Sparta, N.C.

My Dear Sir;

Bauson’s almanac pays you will open court at Sparta on the 1^st, so address this letter to that which print. Some two weeks ago I wrote to you at Sicuealuton inclosing of your half of cash of viewer, $75.68. Mr. Permmman was after the money yesterday, but I promised to write again. Mr. Ramsey this morning presented his itemized bill, $8.70 for sowing your peas which I enclose. The two items make $83.78. Referring to your letter I find you want to peas turned under and the [?] sowed in a mixture of grasses this moment. Will you please write me what mixture you prefer, and whether I shall proceed to have the work done.

Yours truly, W. B. Gwyn

R. J. Gilbert

Washington, D.C.

Sept. 24/96

Your favor 21^st need and I herewith enclose as requested, the tapestry you sent me in regard to your Delaware Ohio Property. You make us mention of receiving a letter…I wrote you after receiving your telegram, or about the time (I think it was a day or so before) in which I spoke of the other properties too and I presume you have abandoned for the present, the idea of purchasing here. I hope not, and I shall be proved to hear from you to that effect; and I would like, in such care, to the kept advised as to your dealings unit, particularly, the Ohio property- i.e. to [?] of any sale you may make of it, so as to drop it from consideration from then on.

Yours Truly,

W.B. Gwyn

How. A. R. Shafford

Miss Davis

City.

Dear Sir;

Pardon me for writing you. I have been informed that you contemplate purchasing property here, and as I am in the real estate business I make bold to ask you to give me a call. I have been in the business since 1881, and am well posted as a consequence. I have as a sale agent a good deal of property that was taken for mortgage debt in [?] times, and now to be had at figure below the average market. Miss Davis knows me well, and you may inquire of any [?] or of old citizens.

Yours Very Truly,

 W.B. Gwyn

Hon. W. A. Hoke-

Lincolnton, N.C.

Sept 25^th, 1896

Dear Judge;

Your favor of the 24^th from Mocksville was received- I could not tell with certainty whether you had received both the letters I had written you or not- In my first, directed to Lincolnton, I stated that the sewerage was completed, and that the bills for the work had been approved by the city engineer.

I am glad to hear you are coming up next week- Our farmer says it is better to wait a while before turning under the peas, as they still growing- he says he will watch out and turn them under immediately after the first frost- he is a fine farmer. He thinks it is better to wait until Spring about sowing the grass. I shall inquire of some other people about that matter if I can see any whose opinion I value before you come.
I was very glad to read that you had been to see my people- how I should have enjoyed being there with you! It has been a long time since I was there in the flesh, but I am often there in spirit.
Hoping to see you without fail next week, I remain truly yours.

J.A. Haefeli Esq.

Sept. 28, 1896
St. Paul, Minn.

Dear Sir;

Your favor is to hand, and I have been to the tax collector’s office, and I find that your lot is assessed for taxation at $500.00, and that your taxes due to the State and County are, therefore, $4.50, plus .25 fine for failure to list (I suppose Miss Carry forgot about it this year), making $4.75 due to the State and County, and $6.00 due the city- Mr. J.H. Weaver is the collector for the State and County, and you can send him check for $4.75---Mr. S.F. Chapman is the collector for the city, and you can send him check for $6.00. Now about Rawles—The party who threatened to attack the sale to Mrs. Carter of her late husband’s interest in the property, did bring suit, and the case is in the Courts now- The lawyer tells me that if he loses it in the Superior Court he will carry it to the Supreme Court of the State; so you see there is no prospect of the matter being speedily settled, and I would not advise you to take any deed from them under the circumstances.
I have in my possession two deeds, one from you to Rawls and one from him to you, dated August 10^th, 1895, dividing the property as agreed upon- These deeds were made when Rawls supposed his title was good to Carter’s interest, which Carter had conveyed to him during life, but the deed was not signed my Mrs. Carter, I forget just what the defect was—Afterwards he brought the suit in Court and his sister, Mrs. Carter brought the ¼ interest of her deceased husband, whereupon you executed a deed to Rawls and Mrs. Carter, which deed I also have in my possession- I have no deed from them to you, and I suppose they executed none, because the point was raised about that time, that the deed would not be good- my recollection is that 

I drew the deed and sent it to you to look at, so that you could see what they would convey to you in return for what you would convey to them, and that you sent it back to me, when you sent your own deed duly executed, and which I now have, as stated.
Now, might I not as well send you back your two deeds, and give back to Rawls his deed, or shall I keep them a while, in the hope that some compromise may be made between the litigating parties, and the division carried out? I have always thought the division favorable to you, considering the poor condition of the house, and I have always doubted whether commissioners appointed by the Court would give you quite so much land as this proposed division does.

I am sorry your business engagements will not allow you to come down this Fall, but I am glad to infer from the fact that business is good with you.
Yours Very Truly.

Walter A. Burnham Esq.

Sept. 20, 1895

Osage, Iowa

Dear Sir;

Your favor of the 24^th was duly received, and I have just returned from the tax collector’s office, where I ascertained that the lot you sold last winter was not returned for taxation in June last by the purchaser, and so the tax listers, not knowing you had sold it, marked it down on the delinquent list and charged the taxes to you. I informed the collector of the facts, and he made a memorandum on the book and I think you will not be bothered any more about the matter- if you should be, take no notice of I, as they cannot reach you personally as far off as that.
Yours Truly, W. B. Gwyn

O.E. Edwards Jr. Esq.

1906 H. St. N.W.,

Sept. 28^th, 1896

Washington, D.C.

Dear Ellery;

Your favor inclosing two ten dollar bills towards payment of the taxes for 1896 on the 140 acre tract of the Vance land was received yesterday morning—this morning I went and paid the taxes, $26.10 and took receipt in the name of Helen & O.E. Edwards Jr. I think I had best kept the receipt as it may be necessary to show it when the trial comes up, if it ever does come on.
I have seen Penniman about selling the mill machinery, and he thinks he can find a place for storage near his store- he says he will sell for fifteen per cent of whatever he can get.

I have also seen Ramsey, the man I want to get to bring the things to town, and he is to go down early this week to look at the job and make me an estimate on it.

Mrs. Gwyn received your letter, and we were very much gratified at your expressions, and only wish we could have done more to make your short visit pleasant.

S. Gwyn Finley Esq.,

Licolnton, N.C.

Sept. 28, 1896

Dear Cousin;

Your favor of 24^th received, and I went down and looked at the lot, corner Bailey and Bartlett St., today.

It is immediately opposite a row of negro and low white trash cabins that are built on a narrow wedge of land between Bailey and Southside Avenue. Back of the lot, to the West, it is different, as lawyer T.H. Cobb and other respectable people live in the vicinity.

It is very hard for me to guess what the lot would bring either for cash or part cash. About the only class of purchasers that would be apt, I think, to want the lot, would be persons desiring to build a lot of cheap houses on it for rent—That is, for the whole lot—it might be cut up and sold to say three different persons for cottage homes—But I rather think even working men with money to build a house would prefer going out further into the suburbs and getting larger lots. As an investment of the first kind mentioned I think it might pay a man to give something like what you say was paid for it in 1887—i.e. $700.00.

I will mention it to a man or two I know, and see if I can get a bid. I am still in the real estate business- my charges are 5% and I will take charge of this and try to sell it if you wish.

With kind regards,

Yours very truly,

W. B. Gwyn

[Geo. W. Pack in A/C W. B. Gwyn]

Mr. C. C. Weber

Oct. 1, 1896.

City.

Dear Sir;

Your favor inclosing check for the rent for October, $40 has been received, for which accept thanks. Kindly say to Mrs. Weber that I am also in receipt of her postal card complaining of the electric bells, and that I have sent a message to the man who fixes bells, to come and see me, in regard to these bells and some others.

Mrs. Webster spoke to me the other day about the kitchen chimney, and we thought it might be stopped up somewhere, thus causing an insufficient draft, and diminishing the efficiency of the range.
If you are willing, I will send a competent mason there to clean out the chimney, as soon as I can get one- it may make a remainder of your stay a little more pleasant, and it will demonstrate whether or not the old range will work any better than it does now, which will be much to the advantage of the owner, kindly write me if you are willing for the mason to come, or would rather not.

J.T. Carter Esq.,

Oct. 1^st, 1896.

Angeline, N.C.

Dear Sir;

Have you in your possession any of the old deeds relating to the 20 acres of land you used to own that you sold to A.W. Rich? When Mr. Rich sold the land company, he turned over the deed from you to him, and also the deed from E. Sluder to you. Rich says he turned over all the deeds he had. Sluder got the land in two tracts, one deed for five acres, from Mrs. Patton, and one deed for fifteen acres, from John G. Lindsey and Mark Erwin- I suppose when you bought from Sluder, he turned over these two deeds to you- if that is so, and you have them now, or either of them, please write me word, as I would like to look at them, for I think there is a mistake in registration, in one of them, and I would like to see the original.

Please write me what you know about it, and very much oblige.
Yours Very Truly

Chas. M. Campbell Esq.
Oct. 1, 1896

Haywood St.

Dear Mr. Campbell,

The bills of Penniman and Kelly for the sewer lines were rendered some time ago. Judge Hoke was here yesterday and left with me his check for his half $75.08 and if you will send me your check payable to Penniman and Kelly, for alike…I will settle the bill. Hope you are better by this time.

Yours Very Truly,

W. B. Gwyn

Geo. W. Pack Esq.

Paris, France

Oct. 3, 1896

Dear Mr. Pack;

Your favor of 24^th of Sept. and your inclosure under [?] cover, were need last night. I am much obliged for both- I had seen the Wells article, but you had right guessed that I had not essayed to read it. It is very strong and able, but I think he [?] to cover too much ground, and states too many things as facts, unless he [?] surer than he does. The Asheville Citizen pages there are several gold standard Countries where wages are lower than in Meixco. [?]  No affair, no explanation why wages have risen as prices declined. It looks paradoxical. But it is only fair to Wells to admit that he gave his letter out a few days before the information above referred to was published by the Citizen. We are dull (as white) human, including Wells. Even Saloruon admitted that there were three things that stumped him- but I believe he took pain to say nobody else could understand them. I can go Saloruon two or three better. Economically Yours,

W.B. Gwyn

How. W. A. Hoke

Oct. 5^th, 1896,

Dobson, N.C.

Dear Judy,

You said you would return the house…I have called at the office service and they said no package had come.

W. B. Gwyn

J. Jones [?]

Geo. W. Pack Esq.

Paris

Oct. 6/ 1896

My Dear Sir;

I have received your favor of the 14^th. I will try to get Young to pay 2 months, though I fear the prospect is not good.

Mr. Chas. A. Hill says he tacked [?] with you about ever changing [?] of the “Bauks”[?] property on Avery Street for a lot on Montford. He says he is position to snake a definite proposition, as follows- he will exchange a lot fronting on Merrimon Ave, about 90 feet, and running back with the South Side of Serey St. about 2/3 feet, in lines about parallel, for the middle lot of our new trades made of lot 6 & 7 of block X- next ask one to Merrick’s- front 75 on Montford, running back depth of Merrich’s about 2-33, Webb wants to trade right off and go to building somewhere, he says, therefore he would like for you to call. Webb agrees further to share to communizing expense equally with you- i.e. $22.50 nature to recommend the trade, as not having a bad out directly considered, and as being forcible  adversely on a/c of having Webb build on Montford. If you assent, pleases cable the word “trade.” If not, and you will fix a valuation on the Merrimon Ave. last. At where you warmed be willing to take it- in exchange for any of your Heartfordand lots (no boot having paid by you, in any case) for any cable one word, as “six”, “seven” to meaning $600, 700.00…

W. B. Gwyn

S.C. Cortland Esq.

City

Oct. 7, 1896

Dear Sir;

Lot adjoining, and north of the one you sold Aschaffeuburg, W. side Montford Ave, 75 feet front is sold.

Yours Truly,

W.B Gwyn

C.E. Graham Esq.

Oct. 7, 1896

Greenville, S.C.

Dear Graham;

I saw just Campbell to have the little amount due me from you, being [?] out of money, and forced to repeatedly push off a scramble of small bills, which I promised to pay several times – I hope you will send me a check by return mail.
Yours Truly,

W. B. Gwyn

The quantities $27.44 as prior statement of July 6^th/96

Dear Mr. Pack
Oct. 7, 1896

I have a strong suspicion that in the closed big letter is a lot of advertising matter not worth quite the larger amount of postage required to [?] it but I do not know it to be the fact, so I paid it.
I have forwarded large batches of letters lately- Dickerson and Peuland came in yesterday and asked permission to permit a circus to perform on block X, or rather such part of the cleared field on block X, back of Merrick’s and Baight’s lots as you have yet sold- I told them I had no right whatever to give the permit, but I told them I did not think you would object, as lots 13 and 14, sold, [?] the part of the ground needed, circus is 001-31- I think they said they could get permit from purchasers of 13 and 14. I told them I was sure you would like to help them [?] their R. R. receipt & e. If you object I will stop them- it is not a tall curtain the circus people will [?]

W. B. Gwyn

Mr. John R. Band

Oct. 7^th, 1896

Baird, Miss.

Dear Sir;

Hve you placed your Montford lots exclusively in the hands of any real estate agent for sale? If you have not, I would like to have an equal opportunity with others to sell them. I have sold quite a number of lots in that section this year. If you are free to deal with any one you choose, and care to give me an opportunity to sell the property, please write me giving prices & c.
Yours Very Truly

W. B. Gwyn

Oct. 7, 1896
Mrs. J. B. Nance

Black Mountain, N. C.

Dear Madam;

Pardon me for troubling you- when Judge Hoke left here about a week ago for [?] he took with a [?] of a house, which he said he would return the next day by express from Black Mountain. As I have never received it nor heard from judge Hoke, I thought possibly he left it with you, or forgot it at your house. If you know anything of the [?], I would [?] it a great favor if you will write me. By the way, I have never received the promised copy of the Eulogies on Seuton Vance.

Hoping I am not troubling you too much, I remain,

 Yours very truly,

F.R.M. [?] Esq.

Short St, City.

Oct. 8/ 96

Dear Sir;

There seems to be something the matter with the kitchen chimney place of Hartshorne’s house, corners of Montford Ave. and Cullowhee Street. I am very anxious to ascertain right away what the trouble is; that is, whether it comes from the range itself, or from the flue. Mr. Rich says the rauge ought to draw all night, so I guess it is in the chimney- Will you please go and examine it- this week? If you cannot go this week, please drop me a card, as I must get someone to attend to it.

Yours Truly,

W. B. Gwyn

J.M. Thrash Esq.

Oct. 8, 1896

Cachoun, N.C.

Dear Sir;

Your favor of 7^th was received this morning, and in accordance with your instructions I herewith inclose the two notes and deed of trust, which I hope will reach now safely. Write me a postal card acknowledging receipt- I believe you have my receipt for the notes &e. Just mail me that.

Yours Truly, W. B. Gwyn

Dear Mr. Pack
Oct. 9/ 96

Your favor of 25^th is just received. I send herewith some more letters. Talbot Penniman is said to be setting up- can [?] and talk to friends. I shall go to see him soon. Capt. Patton, who has been most attentive to him from the beginning, some two weeks ago, or perhaps more brought him from Biltmore to his own house, where he remains. I hope Talbot will be with us again as of old. It is very unpleasant to think otherwise, but we have to take life as it is. I was thinking this morning about the very common expression “Life is short.” Surely it is short, in many [?]- as compared to the length of time, seemingly required for the accomplishment of what we would like to do- for the contemplation let alone the comprehension of the infinities of our surroundings- the correction of our mistakes, and all other things that we deem desirable to add to ourselves- but in other ways of life often seems to me an almost infinitely long period. I have occasionally met people I had not seen since very early youth- and caught myself wondering how they could still be alive! It seems to me four centuries since I put the [?] on to boil in an empty saucepan, and equally long since the well remembered moment when the black nurse explained “What buttoned his clothes his self!” I believe we live long enough.

Yours Truly,

W.B. Gwyn

S.C. Cortland Esq.

City

Oct. 12, 1896

Dear Sir-

No. 2 (two) of block V is sold

Yours Truly,
W. B. Gwyn

S. J. Cain Esq.
City
Dear Sir;
There is a balance of $35.00 due Mr. Pack from you. You sent me a check for $25 Sept 21^st 1895. With interest added, the account would be considered more, but I will accept you in full for $35.00 if paid this week without further demand. I suppose this matter escaped your mind, as you have evidently been doing a good business, so far as appearances go. Anyway I hope you have for [?] wish you the full measure of prosperity.

Yours Very Truly,

W. B. Gwyn

1896
[Chas. H. Hartshorne in A/C W. B. Gwyn]

Dear Sir; The fellow who fixed your bells[?] (and mine) last June was a fraud, as it seems- so I got another man to fix yours (and mine) very recently, and I hope they will stay fixed longer. I got a competent mason to examine it with the kitchen range and chimney, and he has wrought quite a wonderful improvement. The (?) was badly clogged, and particularly there was a serious error in the flow of the double pipe that caused the draft from the rauge. There are two pipes , which come together before entering the chimney, and formerly their junction was thus [picture] McIntyre had the (?) to reconstruct it, thus [picture] correcting an opposition of current to, and much improving the draft. Replying to your query of 17^th as to whether I could get $500.00 for the furniture if sold along with the house, I very much doubt whether so much could be realized. Naturally the things subject to wear and tear are very considerably damaged, particularly carpet, rugs, mattresses &c &c- Many people would use some of the things temporarily who would not buy them at any price. A good many people have looked at the house, recently, but most of them say there is not quite enough room. Will do the best I can.
Yours Very Truly, W. B. Gwyn

Angus M. Smith Esq.

Oct. 13/96

400 Main St. Jacksonville Fla.

Dear Sir;

Your favor [?]. The title to the Asheville St. R. is still hanging in Court. I have been very much vexed as to just how to get your money. All the other certificates, so far as I can judge, in all probability- belong to the new owner of the road- that being the case, if their title was settled, they would probably take your certificate right away; and I have been waiting and hoping for termination of present litigation, on that expectation—by petition the original cause in which there certificates were issued. I would enjoy talking to you about your S. America trip of which you speak. I judge by your letter head that now you have fared the street of Jacksonville, you are trying to provide the people with wheels to ride on your pavement. Wish you success, Yours Truly, W. B. Gwyn.

Received of W. B. Gwyn the following notes payable to Geo. W. Pack or to John R. & Jacob A. Drake- 3 notes, $37.50 each, date 10/12/96- due 1,2, & 3 years. J. C. & Ella Browne Monroe- “         “ $150.00… 9/1…This Oct 17/96.
J.W.K(?)
Oct. 19/96

J. M. Lorich Esq.

City (about Gilbert’s iron pipe carried from factory)

Please call at my office at your earliest convenience & oblige.
Yours Truly,

W. B. Gwyn

John R. Baird Esq.

Baird, Miss.

Dear Sir;

Your favor of the 10^th Inst. To hand, and I herewith inclose you a map showing prices of property near your Montford lots. The lots this side are 70 ft front and 150 deep, and do not lie so well as yours quite. Five hundred dollars was low for them. You see I have marked sold two lots just beyond Merrick’s, 75 feet front, 245.52 deep, same depth as yours $900 each- at that rate, yours would be worth $1,200. I think yours are worth fully as much per front foot as those, if not a little more. As Mr. Pack has been selling under other people, having taken in a large amount of property he did not want, even at the low prices he got it at, it is safe to estimate yours a little higher, especially as you are not anxious to sell. You will notice two lots opposite yours, 100 X 175 at $500 each—These lots are below the street, just about the height of a story, the  distance back that a house should be set- they are great bargains- if you have any money to invest, you ought to take these two lots immediately. You can cut them into 4 lots of 50 ft front each, as the houses will have to be put pretty close to st. and do not need a wide front yard as a consequence. I would think three years the outside limit for them to bring $500 each, thus doubling your money.

Mr. Powell is preparing to build a fine house on his lot the other side of Merrick, and other houses are going up out there.

As for your French Broad Ave property, I see by the assessors’ book, you are taxed $500 for 225 ft X 200 – Unless the ground is steeper than I think it is, I would not hurry to take less than abt. $10 per front foot, for French Broad is a beautiful street, and while there is but little building going on there, the Cocke property beyond will come into market some of these times, and then things will change there.
The above is about as good an idea as I am able to give you of the prospects of your property. In general, I would say that, in my opinion, there have been more purchases for improvement by new comers this year, than in any other year of Asheville’s history- there is little or not speculation, but purchasers seem willing to pay fair prices for what they want.
Replying to your inquiry as to my rates of commission, they are 5%, which is the usual commission charged here.

If you are willing for me to try to sell your property, I would of course prefer to have it exclusively in my hands- but if you do not see your way to that plan, and want other agents to have an equal right to sell it, I would insist on having a certain price set, not to be varied from either way, for a given period, as otherwise I would run a great risk of being misrepresented if I found a purchaser—I am not calling any names, but I think I know whereof I speak.

By virtues of a power of sale contained in a certain deed of trust ,executed to me by W.B.Gwyn and wife on the 10^th day of January 1892, to secure the payment of a certain note therein mentioned and described, which said deed of trust was duly registered in the office or the register of deeds of Buncombe County North Carolina in book 30 at page 155 of records of mortgages and deeds of trust, and by reason of the failure of the said W.B. Gwyn to pay the principal and interest of the said not when due, I sell at the court house door in Asheville to the highest bidder for cash at public auctions on Saturday the 21^st day of November 1896, the real estate described in said deed of trust being a lot of land in the city of Asheville, said county of Buncombe, on the East side of South Park Avenue, being lot No. 36 of a plat of lands registered in the office of said register of deeds in book 71 at page 474, fronting 44 feet on the East side of said Avenue, and running back Eastward 101 feet on the South side and 110 feet on the North Side, and bounded on the North by a lot said by said W. B. Gwyn to McLoud and Jones and on the South by a lot sold to McNeely.

This the 9^th October, 1896—

A. DuFour, Trustee.