Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-03-01
StupendOus Land Suit.

Indes" for the purpose OF cultlvatlng
and developing the immense riches of
the Mississippi valley; every bit of
land turned into shares was quoted at
the Bourse of Paris. Four years af-
terward, however, an unparalleled
panic followed this enthusiasm, and
the shares which had been changing
hands at 10000 francs, were sold at
one franc each; the real estate then
was of no value and this explains the
Importance of the grant made by
Messrs. de Boisbrians and des Ursins
in the names of the "Campagnie des
Indes' to Mr.. Philippe Francois Re
naut, general manager of the mines of
Louisiana under date June IA, 1923.
The grant which was confirmed by the
French Government in 1871, COM
prised, first, two leagues square or
thirty-six square miles at place call
ed Mine Lamothe; second, one and
oue-half Leagues front by six leagues
deep or eighty-one square miles on the
L tile Meramac at Renaut's fork; third,
one league front by two leagues deep
or eighteen square miles at Fort Char
tres, and fourth, one league front by
FIVE leagues deep or forty-ive square
miles at Peoria, ILL.,, beginning one
mile and a half from the old fort on
Peoria, or Pimiteau lake, being in the
aggregate $50 square miles
This grant has at this day the same
guarantee it had in 1928 and 1871
being protected by the treaty of ces
sion Of louisiana by France to the
United States, sgned in 1903 by Mar
quis de Lassus, whose son at this time
is living at St. Louis Until lately no
serious reclamations have been made
by the heirs Of Renaut to recover pos
session Of the lands granted to their
ancestors; the Government of the
United States, however, which con-
ceded or sold the same, carefully in
serted in all its deeds the clause, sub
iect to French claims SO that the
present holders have only conditional
titles, over which the sword Of Da-
mocles is constantly suspended by the
heirs of Renant.
1t is impossible to sum up the i'm
mense interests dispersed all over Hill
nois and Missouri, which are depend
ing upon this Renaut inheritance. A
few examples will suffice: In 1872
the Mine Lamoth was sold to an Eng
lish company for 9l,C00'O00; the
bargain was suspended for year, in
order to give the sellers time to pro-
cure clear title, and was Cancelled
afterward, as they were unable to OBJ
tain quit claim deed of the Renaut
heirs
The city of Peoria, which was
founded by the French in 1872, and
which is at present one of the most
important cities of Illinois, is entirely
built on land belonging to said heirs,
and from Peoria to the Mississippi a
great many villages are in the same
condition. From this it is easily un-
derstood that Of late serious efforts
have been made to hunt up the heirs
of ReDaut and to obtain their power of
attorney. We know large banking
house 10 Chicago, Messrs McMullen
Brothers, who have expended $780,
900 for this purpose during the last
two years in this country as well as in
France. Count de Tournon, living in
Paris, who is one Of the principal
heirs, offered to sell his interest to
Messrs, McMullen; an essential point
in this transaction, however, is to es-
tabllsh by authentic documents the
complete genealogy of the Renaat
family, and to know all the surviving
heirs, IN order to be sble to exhibit
before the courts the power Of attor-
ne of all the heirs. We don't be-
lieve that the Mem ullens are in pos
sessian of these documents. The
want of single signature will set at
naught all proceedings, and as Messrs
McMullen are going to begin their
suit, We advise all parties concerned
| W IoNS S@iC VI CHCll luteICStS,
The paper from which we translate
adds: awe have in our possession all
the letters and proofs of what we have
stated in regard to the Renaut success
sion." IN. 7. Courier des Etais Units
DISASTERS IN IoWA.-DUBUoUE.
Feb. "a A Dubuque Times special
from Lamars gives particulars Of a
horrible calamity occurring at that
place A frame building occupied bv
several families, caught fire last night.
All the inmates escaped except the
wife and three children of man
named Niermayer who, in spite of all
efforts to rescue them, persisted in the
flames The husband and father eot
cut with two children and blind
brother, but was unable to save the
rest. He is now ravipe maniac.
The fire caught from ashes careessiy
thrown out
| The residence of Charles Williams
twelve miles from here was consumed
h.