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Show B " T H i curious real estate transaction after the I m Ij" earthquake of 18G8 was the transfer of the laud adjoining the Palace Hotel site. It Is told by one m f who calls himself "A Friend of Ralston and "VVood- . worth," and it runs thus: raj V fa In 18GG the Grand Hotel site was owned by Is i jjv Commodore Selim Woodworth, U. S. N., and the . j Lock heirs. Selim Woodworth owned the larger Ji Si j i part and refused to sell it for less than $350,000. t 33ft i Tlle morning after the great earthquake of '.j'flE I October, 18G8, Selim Woodworth met Harpending " ' In !.' n front of tlie Banlc of CalifornIa anfl saIfl! "l Wm ' want to sell you my Market street property. I am jB 6ing away, and do not intend to return to San Francisco." Harppnding offered him $150,000 for it. I'Sold," Woodworth said, "but I have no time to feive you the deed, because I am leaving now; vbut come with me into the Bank of California and WV.C Ralston will go on my bond. I will sign the deed if you will send it to me to Rome." The bond was given and Woodworth departed, and in a few days the deed followed Woodworth to Rome. Real estate had been booming, but the earthquake earth-quake had "knocked the boom silly." However, before the deed reached Rome the boom started again and the sales were at least 20 per cent higher high-er than ever before. Woodworth's friends informed in-formed him by telegraph, and wanted him to hold his property at a higher price. In due time Judge Crockett, Woodworth's attorney, at-torney, appeared. Crockett insisted that Wood-worth Wood-worth should receive $200,000. Harpending positively pos-itively refused, and Ralston said, "Very well; I'll give my own 'check for ?50,000 more," which he did, and handed the check to Crockett, who immediately im-mediately produced the deed to Harpending, executed exe-cuted before the American Minister at Rome, for 150,000. The deed was recorded here, with that amount as the consideration, while Woodworth received re-ceived $200,000. Woodworth was honorable, Ralston was more so, but that was Ralston's way. |