The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1877-06-12
A COMPLETE TITLE.
]. S. DUNHAM, Esq. !.

IMAM jim AL ApPty - Wv "ASASSeiS
Misrepresentation Of some Of our Alma
friends Gnnoccntly made Of coursc) 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 Drcnnen the original own
crs of the town site in the year lSaa, on
the condition that Crawford County
should locate the Seat of Justice at Van
Buren,. The County by 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 1874 or 5 the Coun-
ty Court decming 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 the chan
Gerry side of the 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. 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 decrced title to the County in
fee simple, absolutely and unconditional
~; 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 thirtyfre 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 unfoundcd. The County has a
fee simple title to the Public Square, and
there can be no revcrsion to heirs in such
case. But to satisfy the most eaptious,
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 misrcprc-
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
mcnt of INSCRIPTIONS means TO accom-
plish given end, is very apt to recoil
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 Jcsuitical maxim,
"the end justities the Means beware
for day OF reckoning is ut hand The
tenth of July neat wW call them to &C.
count, after which they will be fully sat
isticd that Crawford county has an indie
fcnsblc title to the Public Square in Van
Buren,. Very respectfully,
JESSE TURNER.
p. S.--Whilc writing the foregoing,
Mr. ID. G. Williams has shown mo the
original proposition Of Thompson and
Drennen to donate the Court House
square to Crawford county, which please
publish below, J, 7.
To MeSsrs Bown, Gibson and Kaor,
Commissioners of the County Of Craze
ford and State of arkansas for locating
the Seat of Justice, de-:
GESTLEMEN: Wethe unuefslSned Will make
as donation to the County of Crawford.
Block II, in the Town Of Van Buren,. con-
tanning sixteen lots. Each lot contains thir.
ty-three feet front, and one hundred and
twcnty-seyen feet back. with ten-f foot al
ley running through said block. The block
of lots No. H. agreeable to the plat of said
town of Van Buren,, is wtll-sitnated to make
"A public square, aiid an eligible site for u
Court House. According to a correct calcu-
lation the donation will contain sonnet inc
upwards of three acres of ground. We, the
undersigned will make deed in fee simple
for the said block of land (No. l4). 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,,
March 18th. 1885,
DAVID THOMPSON,
JOHN DRENNEN.
hy his ATTORNEY In fact.