Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1869-10-28

A DELAWARE TOWN CHAINED.
Conformation at ciayton--A Man from
California Claims the Whole TawrE

| 1t is quite common occurrence in this coun-
try for some man or woman to turn up and claim
the ownership Of large tract Of land on which
town or city stands, by virtue of some old
titles. deeds or other papers of dead and forgot
ten people, and sometimes, as in the case Of Mr.
Gaines, at New Orleans, such claimant is won.
derfully successful. We, in Delaware, have so
far been pretty free from such exritcments
though we have at times heard runlors of the
heirs of some old family putting in claim for
large part Of this city. Nov, however, we are
like 10 have genuine sensation in this line
The great Pacific Railroad has scarcely been
opened before there comes speeding over il from
the Golden State gentleman who claims the
ownership OF one of he newest and most
thriving Of our Delaware towns CLAYTON, in
Kent county.
Some years ago a man named Richard Tibet
held possession of about one hundred acres of
land In Kent county, through which, in course of
time, the Delaware Railroad passed. AS, owing
to the indifference of the Smyrnans, the railroad
did not 20 to that town, q station, called Smyrna
station was built mainly for the accommodation
OF its people, in about the middle of the Tibbctt
silbuuu tllb stulitu, III int course oil
time, village was built, which was called Clay
ton. About eight years ago, Richard Tibbrtt, at
an advanced age, died, and lis financial affairs
not heing left in satisfactory condition, his land
was disposed Of at Sheriff. sale, DR.. VIM. Dam
el., Of Smyrna, and Mason Bailey, Of Kenlon,
becoming the joint purchasers They wisely
made the most OF their hargnin-built houses.
sold lots, &c, and Clayton waxcd strong and
laughed at Smyrna for not being on the railroad,
and for being an old fogy place. generally.
| The rest Of the story we will let the CLINTON
HeTdA tell. 1t is MS foows:-
| About three years ago, u man claiming to he
Richard li'betts brother, arrived in the vicinity
and stated that the land having heen entlilrd 6y
their father to Richard, during their life, and al
his DEATH to Tim, he was the righ,ful owner and
commentator was about to commence a suit in,
the land. In a short time, however, this claim.
ing ITolher seemed TO have got flea in his ear =
ana suddenly disappeared whether he wen,
down ~ cave, or up In balloon We have never
ocen able to ascertain, and whether he disappear.
ed by fair play az ioulplay, the Oldest iphaLinnt
has never Informed us.
And now comes on John Whortenby. h,ilinp
from the inr-uif state OF California and claiming
70 Z, he Tue nephew and legal heir Of the aforesaid
hcnard. lhl- last claimant. evidently mean,
business, having caused 10 be served upon tht
tenant, Mr. Gilmore, writ of eicctment to tr,
aud determine the title.
" We understand that Daniels aud Biilcv, III,
owners, or holders Of the farm. are vrrv II,,iol
ngitAttd In regard TO the matter, while partie.
Nho have purchased lots from the different hul
dfrs and made improvements thctrupnn, are al
ASllr aud we learn a meeting is soon to he hclr
20 rn'sc Il fund to resist the claiming Of the ma,
To IN the Golden State.
Inc present. oSusrs of the lard hold that lion
n; H. smithers, some years ago drew n deed +.
m same llnd from Richard Tibet To- I,an
iiaztll,ai that iinze decided back to Tibet al
q whch was done with view to brrnk or Gu
ile rntallmcnt, and that when the late Chincello
harrington President Of the Delaware Rlilroad
procured depot ground, from 1ibbett. examine,
the tltle and was satisfied with it,
-, w the other hand. Hons. T. r. Bavarl an
W; IT, Whitley are Mr.. Whortcnby's councsl
when Doctors disagree who shall decide ~