The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1877-06-26
A COMPLETE TITLE.
J. S. DURHAM, Esq. !:

J. S. DuNuAM, Esq:
DEAR SlR:-In reply to tho wholesale
misrepresentation of some Of our Alma
friends Gnnoccntly made of eourse) as it
regards the title of Crawford County to
tho Public Square in the town Of Van
Buren,, on which the Court House WIS
built, would state that this Block, con.
shutting the Public Square, was donated
/ to Crawford County by David Thomp-
son and John Drennen the original own
ers of the town site in the year 1889, on
the condition that Crawford County
should locate tho Seat Of Justice at Van
Buren,. The County by vote Of tho
people in that year did locate the Scat
of Justice at Van Buren, upon the Pub
lie Square. The proposition to donate
this ground for public purposes was in
writing, and probably still in existence,
but it is believed no formal deed to the
County for tho property was ever made
by the donors. In 1874 or IS the Coun-
ty Court booming it best TO procure from
the Court Of Chancery decree for title
to this property in pursuance Of said do
nation emdloyed mo to institute suit for
that purpose. accordingly filed a bill in
behalf of Crawford County on tho chan
Gerry side OF tho Circuit Court, setting up
the donation, and all the facts pertaining
thereto and praying decree for title to
this property, donated as aforesaid.
To this bill, John Drennen, the surviv-
ing donor then living, the administrators
of David Thompson and his heirs at law
were made defendants. Tho answers Of
the defendants admitted broadly all the
allegations in the bill tho truths Of
which wero also proved by other tceti-
mony. Upon the hearing of the cause
the Court decreed title to tho County in
fee simple, absolutely and unconditional.
| ly; and from that day to the burning Of
| the Court House, tho title Of the County
to this property has never been question.
cd. In addition to this, the County has
been in the undisturbed possession Of
this property, for thirtyyfpe years, which
by prescription will give her an absolute
title against all the world; and yet it is
asserted, by these pretentious cavilers,
that if the seat of Justice should ever be
removed from Van Buren this property
will revert back to the heirs of Thomp-
son and Drennen. This assumption is
wholly unfounded. Tho County has a
fee simple title to the Public Square, and
there can DO no reversion to heirs in such
a case. But to satisfy the most captious,
the heirs of Thompson and Drenncn, all
of whom are of full age, stand ready to
execute to Crawford County quit claim
deeds for this property.
Those who are engaged in misrcpre-
senting the title of the county to the
Public Square, oughtto have known bet
ter. They could have known better If
they had desired to deal frankly and
truthfully with the people. The employ
ment Of INSCRIPTIONS means to accom-.
plish given end, is very apt to reooil
upon the heads of those who resort to
such tactics Let these frank and in
genuous gentlemen, who seem to be so
much in love with the Jesuitioal maxim,
"tho end justifes the MEANS" beware,
for day Of reckoning is at hand. The
tenth of July nes ,oN call them to &c.
count, after which they will be fully sat.
isfed that Crawford county has an indie
feasible title to tho Public Square in Van
Buren,. Worry respectfully,
JESSE TURNER.
P. S.--Whilo writing tho foregoing,
Mr.. D. g. Williams has shown mo the
original proposition of Thompson ano
Drenncn to donate the Court House
square to Crawford county, which please
publish below. J. T.
!. To MessrS Bourn, Gibson and Knor,
4 Commissioners Of the County Of Craze
ford and State Of Arkansas for locating
the Seat Of Justice, &c:
GENTLEMEN: We the undersigned will make
as donation to the County Of Crawford
Block a. In the Town OF Van Buren,. con
taining sixteen lots Each lot contains thir.
ty-three feet front. and one hundred and
twenty seven feet back. with a ten foot al
ley running through said block The block
OF lots No. Ia, agreeable to the plat Of said
town OF Van Barren, is woll-situated to make
n public square. and an eligible site for d
Court House. According TO "A correct calcu
lation, the donation will contain something
upwards Of three acres Of ground We. tn,
undersigned will make deed in fec mplt
for the said block of land (No. IA }. Provid-
ed said commissioners will place the Court
House and Jail of said county Of Crawford on
said block Of land.
Given under our hands at Van Buren,