The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-27

4 STRANGE TRIBUNAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION
OF TITLE TO REAL ESTATE MILLION IN
voLyED.
Probably the most important case In point Of mone-
tary tried in the cour. Of Special Sessions
came up in that court yesterday ltiuvolved incl
denay the title property worth, It claimed, over
million dollars, and by the arrest. under the
statute against squaters. OF James J. Hannegan ana
George W. Francis, TWO alleged squaters, who last
winter took possession OF the land by erecting boat
house upon it. the prisoners, through their counsel,
George A. Flanders claimed 10 DO heirs Of the prop
erty and 10 hold II under lease The complainant
was Aaron Raymond of No. 72s Fifth avenue. JUS
tees ouerbourg. Bxby and Smith occupied the bench.
The 6rst witness called was Mr. Raymond. who tcs-
tined tina, he was the owner onethird interest 5o
lotsj OF unimproved land situated on both sides OF
Seventh avenue between I5ilh and l55th streets the
remaining two-tbirds were owned by @ G. Hastings
and a Mr. Whitman witness received his deed from
Mr. Hastings June "a ISL Tho deed was here offered
TAKING POSSESSION LAND.
few months ago the prisoners erected a ooathousc
IN the properly engaged in the business Of hiring
boats without permission rom Ar haymoha ne
notified them remove The bo.thouse, and they not
complying he IL TO be removed, wheTeupon tho
prisoners erected another; three weeks ago witness
served prisoners with notice IN writing 70 vacate
The land but they paid no attention 70 y ne there-
fore had them arrested as squalters on crosscAaml-
nation Mr. Raymond stated lhat nc Hau tuaI thc
prisoners claimed TO hold under lease, but never saw
such lease.
THE COUNTER CLAIM
Counsel for the defence here moved Tor the dismissal
OF the con- plant. the ground that the complainant
had not SHOWN title his grantor nor possession oy
himself ana urthcr that prisoners set up right
10 son. which could not DC adJuiicaed on IN
criminal colrt bis clients claimed possession OF lae
land BY virtue OF original giant gwen ny Governor
chols a uolonal Governor, carly IN the seventeenth
century, ana he had thousand uecas TO make sood the
assertion To corroDcrate his statement MI. Flanders
tenderly lifted from the desk bundle oil documents,
some OF which were mouldy win age.
The first was as he stated, grant from
The nglish Governor Nichols, written IN The quaint
and ancient pnrascology OF those early days. IL
dcedet trile OF the Dutch settlers, all the
right, title ana interest IN and 10 large extent oil
land in upper part OF the city, oil which con-
sItutcs a. the present considerable portion OF
Central PARK. Then followed other papers equally
nusty anu interesting The motion TO DISMISS was de-
med.
"REMINISCENCES or THE RING.
For tho delcuce Jackson Vermylia was placed on the
stand and testified 10 having sig1ed deed conveying
portion OF The property between Nineteen street
ana the North River Tho property - known as tho
Harlem flats. Witness father commenced a lawsuit
with regard TO 1t i'll 1925. In answer TO
the question .'Did you receive any compcnsa-
from the city Tor tnal portion which was tazer
Tor the central PARSE AIR. NGrnyll La replied somewhat
sLurpiy II keenly sensitive OF Wrvns-"No SIT,
that Tweed arrangement, ana the result OF the
Ring. | received no compensation Tor IT," Win re-
gard to tho taxes, the Witness stated that his lhhcr
aud grandfather had paid taxes on the property.
George NJ. Brundetu testified that The lease cNnlU
tied made by Alfred T. riton 10 the prisoners IN
his presence the PRISONERS were heirs to the property
and II was leased TO Them Tor 81 year
Tue Court brought matters 10 conclusion by md
Ing e prisoners Francis aud Hanncgan guilty OF being
squalers. cntenced them 10 ten days imprison-
mcnl IN the City Prison, justice Smith dissenting.
The prisoners counsel gave notice oil appeal