I have your letter of the 3rd inst.

I regret exceedingly to be compelled to tell you that the proceedings for acquiring land for the Park on Mitchell's Peak are moving very slowly. We have agreed with all the owners, except Mrs. Conelly, for the purchase of the land embraced in our territory. We have also agreed that we would have a timber expert to estimate the stumpage timber on the lands and take his estimate and value.

Mr. Blackstocks advises me that he has a man who is thoroughly honest and who has been over the timber once, and tells him that all the remaining timber is practically worthless, as it would cost more to get it down to the railroad than it is worth. This would indicate that we are to pay a very small sum for the timber. The contract price for the land is $5.00 per acre. We hardly think that Mrs. Conelly will be allowed more than this sum for hers, when we buy lands just as well situated as hers for $5.00 per acre.

The Commissioners to appraise the lands have been appointed some time ago, but the weather has been so inclement that it has been simply impossible to get the men up there.

Mr. Young, the County Surveyor, has had instructions for the past sixty days to send description of the various tracts to Mr. Johnston, of Asheville, to the end that Mr. Johnston may prepare and have them signed. Not having heard from Mr. Young in a long time, I addressed him a letter last week telling him that if he had not sent the description, to send them to me at once.

I will have the deeds drawn by Mr. J. Bis Ray, and get him to take them and have them executed. It has been our desire to get these deeds executed before the Commissioners went upon the lands to value them. If it is known to the Commission that we already have a deed for all the claims except Mrs. Conelly's, and that we have paid only $5.00 per acre, we think that would induce them to put a similar value on Mrs. Conelly's land.

I regret to say to you that I think Mrs. Connely is trying to drive a very hard bargain with the Commissioners. Her lands are not worth more than the lands of Brown Brothers, which come right up to and run along the crest of the Black Mountain, and thru the very middle of Dr. Mitchell's grave. Mrs. Conelly's reservation covers the east side of the mountain and Brown Brothers' the west side. If the west side is worth only $5.00 per acre, the east side can be worth no more. She claims five acres, and wants $1500.00 for it, and we have no idea of paying it.

I promise you now to use every means in my power to have this matter closed up as soon as it can possibly be done.

With kindest regards, I am