The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1877-06-19
A COMPLETE TITLE.
J. S. DuNHAM, Esq.

J. S, DuNHAM, Esq:
DEAR S,R:-In reply to the Wholesale
misrepresentation of some Of our Alma
friends Gnnocently made of course) as il
regards the title Of Crawford County to
tho Public Square in tho 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
tho condition that Crawford County
should locate the Seat of Justice at Van
Buren,. The County by vote of tho
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 tho
County for the property was ever madc
by the donors. In 1874 or 5 the Coun.
ty Court deemng it best to procure from
the Court of Chancery decree Tor title
to this property in pursuance Of said do
nation emdloyed mo to institute suit for
that purpose. accordingly fled Il 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
nF houil fNka nj l.; ia hntra ct Ia NY
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 testi-
mony. Upon the hearing Of the cause
the Court deereed title to the County in
fee simple, ahsolutely 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
ed In addition to this, tho County has
been in the undisturbed possession of
this property, for thirty:fre years, which
by prescription will give her an absolute
title against all the werld; 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. The County has Il
fee simple title to the Public Square, and
there can be no reversion to heirs in such
a case. But to satisfy the most captious,
the heirs of Thompson and Drennen, 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 tito of the county to the
Public Square, ought to have known bet
ter. They could have known better il
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 recoil
upon the heads of those who resort to
such tactics Let these frank and in.
genuous gentlemen, who seem to be 80
much in love with the Jespitical maxim,
1.-THE end justifes the MEANS beware,
for day Of reckoning is at hand. The
tenth Of July neat ,eW call them to ae-
count, after which they will be fully sat.
lSlicu that SihNloip tpuHiy Ht'o aH ihdS'
fcnsibe title to the Public Square in Van
Buren,. Very respectfully,
JESSE TURNER.
r. S.--While writing tho foregoing
Mr.. d. c. Williams has shown me thu
original proposition of Thompson anc
Drennen to donate tho Court House
square to Crawford county, which please
publish below. J. T.
To NesSr5 BouyW, Gibson and Knor,
| Commissioners Of the County Of CrdO
| ford and State Of arkansas for locating
the Seat Of Justice, DC:
GENrLEMEN: We the undersigned will make
as Il donation to the County of Crawford
Block ID, In the Town OF Van Buren,, con
tanning sixteen lots. Each lot contains thir.
ty- three feet front, and one hundred ant
twenty feet back. with n ten-foot al
ley running through said block The bloeI
of lots No. II, agreeable to the plat of sait
town OF Van Buren,. is well-sltuated to max,
a public square, and an eligible site for
Court House. According TO correct calcu
Mtion. the donation will contain somethn.
upwards of three acres OF ground. We TIN
undersigned will make deed in fee simpl,
for the said block of land mo. 14). Pro2id
ed said commissioners will place the Cour
House and jail of said county Of Crawford o.
said block Of land.
Given under our hands at Van Buren,
March I5th 1899