1884:
1886:
I was curious if I could uncover any explanation for the difference here, and I have found some more material explaining it. Snippets from Boston newspapers, namely the Boston Globe, the Boston Traveler, and the Boston Post have allowed me to piece it together.
In 1884, a few articles appear on Johann's property. First, he petitions for redress on damages to his property that resulted from the city's work on Stony Brook that ran through his land, which began in 1868 and were finally coming to a head. This request is handled by appointees from the Board of Alderman.
From the May 6th issue of the Boston Traveler:
"Alderman Curtis submitted a report from the Committee on Stony Brook on the petition of Frederick Kohlhepp and others, to be paid for land taken, and for damages occasioned by the improvement of Stony Brook -- That in their opinion the claim is not properly before them, inasmuch as by the provisions of Chapter 196 of the Acts of 1874 the Board of Aldermen are solely empowered to settle claims of this character. They therefore recommend that the claim be referred to the members of this committee on the part of the Board of Alderman.
Accepted and referred accordingly. Sent down.
Alderman Curtis offered an order--That His Honor the Mayor be authorized to appoint three suitable persons who shall determine the amount of betterment the Board of Aldermen may assess upon the estates bordering upon Stony Brook, on account of the improvement of the channel of said brook by the city of Boston, as provided in Chapter 196 of the Acts of 1874."
In the following week's (May 13th) newspaper, it reports the results of this committee, where they provide $1000 of the requested $3500 for the damage done to Johann's property. There are interesting descriptions of his manufacturing buildings being removed as a result of the improvements and damage done to his equipment, which would have impacted the Dye Works. We also see issues with fulfilling his business obligations to someone leasing his property, for which he got sued.
"Stony Brook.
Alderman Curtis submitted a report from the Committee on Stony Brook, on the petition of Frederick Kohlhepp and wife to be compensated for land taken and damages occasioned by the Stony-brook Improvement, that, having heard the petitioners, they recommend the passage of the following:
Ordered, That there be paid to Frederick Kohlhepp the sum of $1000 for all damages occasioned to his estate by the improvement of Stony Brook under Chapter 223 of the acts of 1868, or chapter 196 of the acts of 1874, or any acts relating to said improvement whether done by the town of West Roxbury or the city of Boston, upon his giving to the city a deed or release satisfactory to the city solicitor, granting to the city of Boston "the right and privilege to keep and forever maintain at its own proper cost and expense the new channel of Stony Brook, through the land of said Kohlhepp, at its present width, and to maintain and repair the stone walls on either side of said channel at their present height and width, and to enter on the same for the purpose of repairing and cleaning the said channel and walls, and of removing any obstructions to the free flow of the water in the said new channel of said brook, and an acquittance and discharge for all damages, costs, and expense in concequence of the taking and of other acts of said town or city;" said sum to be charged to the appropriation for Stony Brook Improvement.
Alderman Curtis -- This case was begun in 1868, and had been wending its way down through the courts and the city government until the present time. Their claim was $3500. We gave the party quite a number of hearings, and have finally compromised for $1000. The channel of the brook was changed from the line where it went through this man's land. His manufacturing buildings were removed and his machinery was destroyed or injured to a great extent. His building was let at the time, he was sued by the lessee, and judgment was rendered against him. He has been in court about as long as he wants to be. He came to this Board for redress in 1881. We have now agreed with him upon a settlement which I think is fair and equitable, and it does not take away the right of the city to assess betterments upon his land for the improvement of the brook. He has accepted our terms, and I think it is no more than fair and just that he should be paid.
The order was passed. Sent down."
This order being passed is described in the May 13th issue of the Boston Globe too, where it briefly notes, "to pay to Frederick Kohlhepp $1000 for damages occasioned to his estate by the improvement of Stony brook."
With this cleared up, it still doesn't answer how Johann's land was impacted between 1884 and 1886. What transpired in those proceedings was of a historical nature in the 1860's.
What really spells out what happened to the land is an article in the December 20th 1884 issue of the Boston Traveler. A fire broke out and burned his building:
"Alarm from 521 at an early hour today was occasioned by a fire in the dye house of Fred Kohlhepp, at Jamaica Plain, which before the firemen could get under control had badly damaged the building. The loss was placed by an employee at $3900 and is covered by an insurance of $1000.
It is estimated that the loss on the fire, which partially destroyed the building of Joseph H. Curtis of Jamaica Plain, will reach $8000, which is covered by insurance. A. A. Bestwick of Engine 28 had his right arm broken by a hose stricking him, while he was on a ladder player on the fire."
From the maps, it appears that the fire took the Dye Works building out of commission altogether.
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