The Van Buren press., 1877-06-05
A COMPLETE TITLE.
J. S. DuNHAM, Esq.

friends Gnnocently made of course) as it
regards the title of Crawford County to
the Public Square in the town of Van
Buren,, on which the Court House was
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 the Seat of Justice at Van
Buren,. The County by a vote of the
people in that year did locate the Seat
of Justice at Van Buren, upon the Pub
lie Square. The proposition to donate
this ground for public purposes was in
writing, and is probably still in existence,
but it is believed no formal deed to the
County for the property was ever made
by the donors. In 1914 or IS the Coun-
ty Court deeming 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 bill in
behalf of Crawford County on the chan
Gerry side of the Circuit Court, setting W
the donation, and all the facts pertaining
thereto and praying decree for title to
this property, donated as aforesaid.
| To this bill, John Drenncn, the surviv-
ing donor then living, the administrators
of David Thompson and his heirs at law
were made defendants. The answers OF
the defendants admitted broadly all the
allegations in the bill; the truths OF
which were also proved by other tcsti'
mony. Upon the hearing of the cause
the Court decreed title to - 3 County in
fee simple, absolutely and unconditional.
ly; and from that day to the burning OF
the Court House, the title of the County
to this property has never been question,
ed. In addition to this, the County has
been in the undisturbed possession OF
this property, for thity.fre 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 Bremen. This assumption is
wholly unfounded. The County has g
fee simple title to the Public Square, ant
there can be no reversion to heirs in sucl
4 case. But to satisfy the most captious
the heirs of Thompson and Drennen, al
of whom are of full age, stand ready t.
execute to Crawford County quit claim
deeds for this property.
Those who are engaged in misrepre
scnting the title of the county to tn,
Public Square, oughtto have known bet
ter. They could have known better j
they had desired to deal frankly ant
truthiui'y with the pcopac. Eho employ
mont of INSCRIPTIONS means to accom-
plish given end, is very apt to recoi
upon the heads of those who resort Il
such tactics Let these frank and in
gcnuous gentlemen, who seem to be 81
much in love with the Jesuitical maxim
"the end justities the MEANS" beware
for n day of reckoning is at hand. 1h'
tenth Of July ne1t wiU call them to &C
count, after which they will be fully sat
istied that Crawford county has an indie
feasible title to the Public Square in Yar
Buren,. Very respectfully,
JESSE TURNER.
p. S.--Whilc writing the foregoing
Mr.. ID. G. Williams has shown me tho
original proposition Of Thompson and
Drcnnen to donate the Court Hous,
square to Crawford county, which please
publish below. 1T.
To MessrS Bourn, Gibson and Knor
Commissioners Of the County Of Craao
ford and State of Arkansas for locating
the Seat Of Justice, DC:
GENTLEMEN: We the undersigned will max,
as Il donation to the County of Crawford
Block IA, 10 the Town OF Van Buren,, con.
tanning sixteen lots. Each lot contains thir-
ty-three feet front, and one hundred and
twenty-seven feet back with ten-foot al
ley running through said block. The bloch
Of lots No. Ia, agreeable to the plat of salt
town of Van buren,. is wellsitllated to make
a public square. and an eligible site for
Court House. According to u correct calcu
lation, the donation will contain something
upwards of three acres Of ground. We. the
undersigned will make deed in fee simpl,
for the said block of land mo. AZ. Provid.
ed said commissioners will place the Cour,
House and Jail of said county of Crawford Oh
said block of land.
Given under our hands at Van Buren,
March 18th. 1889.
DAVID THOMPSON,
JOHN DRENNEN.
by his Attorney in fact.
DAVID THOMPSON
WHAT IT WILL COST.
Below we give the amount of tax that
will haya IN ho onllootoI in o,,b .o,,,,,