DIY History | Transcribe | Building the Transcontinental Railroad | John L. Coffin, land agent in Davenport, Iowa, correspondence with land speculator Thomas Clark Durant in New York, part 3, 1874

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John L. Coffin, land agent in Davenport, Iowa, correspondence with land speculator Thomas Clark Durant in New York, part 3, 1874

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JOHN L. COFFIN,
IOWA LAND AGENCY,
DAVENPORT, IOWA } OFFICES: { 130 GATE ST. BOSTON. P.O. Box
Taxes paid. Collections made, Western Lands, Bonds, and Mortgages for sale.
Boston, Dec 9th 1874
H. C. Crane, Esq, Atty
20 Nassau Street- New York
Dear Sir -
After writing my several local 
agents to [extra exactions?] to sell TCD, lands, my Poweshiek Co agent sends the following offer, and I quote from his letter, "For the SW 1/4 36 acres SE1/4 35.81.16 = 320 acres ---- Sherman offer $8 per acre
1/4th cash on the 1st April next,  remainder in 1 and 2 years, with 
10% int - annually, interest to commence January 1st, 1875. The
land is very rough and if it were left  to me to say, would advise the owner to accept the offer, not because I
am in the business of selling lands- I should not think it much of an investment at 6 1/2 or $7 - I have shown it to several land-hunters since you gave me the numbers and I have failed to find a man who would offer ever $5- The Holland looked at it- when he was out here to see his lands and will tell you that it is no
better than his for which he paid $3 cash, per acre, this last summer.
The above is from a very reliable  man, and if the terms will suit, I should advise accepting the

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JOHN L. COFFIN, IOWA LAND AGENCY, DAVENPORT, IOWA } OFFICES: { 130 GATE ST. BOSTON. P.O. Box Taxes paid. Collections made, Western Lands, Bonds, and Mortgages for sale. Boston, Dec 9th 1874 H. C. Crane, Esq, Atty 20 Nassau Street- New York Dear Sir - After writing my several local agents to [extra exactions?] to sell TCD, lands, my Poweshiek Co agent sends the following offer, and I quote from his letter, "For the SW 1/4 36 acres SE1/4 35.81.16 = 320 acres ---- Sherman offer $8 per acre 1/4th cash on the 1st April next, remainder in 1 and 2 years, with 10% int - annually, interest to commence January 1st, 1875. The land is very rough and if it were left to me to say, would advise the owner to accept the offer, not because I am in the business of selling lands- I should not think it much of an investment at 6 1/2 or $7 - I have shown it to several land-hunters since you gave me the numbers and I have failed to find a man who would offer ever $5- The Holland looked at it- when he was out here to see his lands and will tell you that it is no better than his for which he paid $3 cash, per acre, this last summer. The above is from a very reliable man, and if the terms will suit, I should advise accepting the