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To the Honorable Mayor and City Council: -

Gentelmen:-

About At some time prior to January 17th, 1898,

I was in default in the payment of my taxes on Lot 16, Block C2 Daggett's
Addition, N.E. quarter of 9, Block 152 original town, and 10 in Block
14, Union Depot Addition, for the Year 1896. Shortly before January
17th, 1898, I was served with citation in the case of The City of Ft.
Worth vs. V.M.Bowdry et al, No. 14, 239, in the District Court of
Tarrrant County, Texas.

After received the citation I went to the City Tax Collector,
Mr. Frank D. Jones, and offered to pay my taxes for the year 1896. He
informed me that suit had been filed, and the before he would receive
the taxes it would be necessar y for me to pay the costs of court. There-
upon I went to the court house and had the Clerk of the court prepare a bill
of the costs in the case, which amounted to $10.70. These costs I
then and there paid, taking the Clerk's receipt therefor. The re
ceipt is hereto attached and marked "Exhibit A."

On February 11th, thereafter I went to the Tax Collector of
the City of Ft. Worth, Mr. Frank D. Jones, and showed him the receipt
for costs, and he thereupon receipted me for the taxes for said year on
said property, amount in all to $48.00, which sum I then and there
paid. The receipt is hereto attached and marked Exhibit B. The
City Tax Collector then and there informed me that said suit would be
dismissed, and that I need have no further trouble therewith, and that
he would inform the City Attorney and the same would be dismissed.

I have now found out, however, that said suit was not dis-
missed, but that without my knowledge of judgement was taken against me
by the City of Ft. Worth, foreclosing the lien for taxes on said property
for the year 1896, and that the said judgement was taken on the latter November 10th
part of the year1898, and the City Tax Collector and Assessor then