Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1865-10-18
The PiihOIe Title case.


The disastrous fire thcre conferes
additional interest on the case about
to be litigated in the courts as to the
title of the Pitholo property. 1t ap.
pears that before 1886 treaty was
made between the State authorities
of Pennsylvania and Cornplantcr, the
Chief Of Il tribe of Indians inhabit-
ing that section Of the State. By viT-
tue of it, tho aboriginies were TO be
protected against all intrigues and
eucroachments from the whites upon
certain reservation assigned to them.
One of these consisted of tract OF
land, about half a mile square, on Oil
creek, lying on both sides of its mouth,
the necessary papers for which were
made out and delivered to the Chief,
then residing with his tribe higher
up the Allegheny What motive in
duced him to make that selection is
unknown, but of the fact itself the
best evidence can be produced, the
treaty conveying the title being now
in Philadelphia.
Some time afterward, however,
Cornplanter proceeded down the riv-
er TO Pittsburgh, and, in. so, doing,
came in contact with certain white
SPECTATORS, who purchased his Oil
Creek reservation for the sum Of 1915,
which was paid down and the deeds
duly handed over. But on his arri-
val at Pittsburg be found that $500 OF
the purchase money consisted Of
counterfeit bills The residue, like a
true Indian, he spent, and returned to
his home on the Allegheny On his
way he stopped and demanded good
money for the counterfeit or resto-
ration of his title deeds and the prop
erty: The purchaser alleged that it
was out OF his power 10 replace the
money; but that if Cornplanter re-
funded 10 him the S75 spent, the pa
pers should be returned. The Chief
proceeded on his way, procured the
small sum, came back and paid it
down, receiving bis papers as agreed
upon. But it appears that the pur-
chaser had, meanwhile, gone to Frank
lin, the county seat, and got the deeds
recorded. The circumstance passed
over ana was forgotten No person
lived on the reservation, which con-
sisted either OF low impossible
swamp, or preipices TOO steep to be
cultivated. its sole value appeared to
Iise from its becoming at some time
q commercial front at the lower end
of tho valley. Cornplonter was at
length gathered to his fathers, as was
Governor Wolf with whom he ne
gotiated the treaty. The paper itstlf.
with several others, remained in the
hands Of his family, who took no in
ter6st in them, except as curiosities
From time to time, however, is ap-
pears that suspicious began to prevail
among the new settlers in Oil City
that all was not right with their titles
The matter was aU ienghth brought
70 a focus by Cornplanter's daughter
mentioning to white friends that her
father owned property somewhere on
the creek The paper was hunted up
and discovered; legal gentlemen were
asked so take hold of the matter,
which is soon to come before the
State Court for adjudication
As represented by one who has seen
the deed, that the reservation com
prises, at least. tbreesHarters of the
Duilt up portion of OIL City-incIud-
in houses, yards, landings, refiner5,
wells, etc--The whole worth more
thar million of dollars. OF the fact
of the deed being in Cornplanter's
family there can he no dispute; the de-
fense will probably he made on other
points The right of possession, as BE-
tiCeeR lghiteS, would be decided by less
than thirty years occupations; but as
to transactions between white men
and Indians the rule does not apply.
As to what virtue there may be in
the fact OF registration, Of which, it is
represented. the old man was igno-
rant, and consequently took no steps
to undo, the future will decide.