New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-01
A LANDLORDS RIOTOUS TENANTS.

BARN-BURNING IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
ARREST OF CHARLES MoNTANYE IN A SUIT FOR
$46,000-CHARGED WITH COMPLETELY ~ THE
DESTRUCTION OF GEORGE CLARKEs PROPERTY
IN LUDLOW STREET JAIL IN DEFAULT or
$685. 900 BAIL.
Charles Montanye was arrested on Tuesday
by Sheriff Reilly the complaint OF George Clarke, OF
Springfield, OtsegO County, and was lodged IN Lud
low Street jail, In default Of $4,000 bail. The
arrest is IN "a suit brought by Clarke for &c.
600 damages, for property that he alleges has
been burned by association called the Montgomery
Tenants Mutual Society, OF which Montanye 10 alleged
to have been active member between December 20,
1873 and September l. 1876. Mr. Clarke is said 70 be
the largest land owner in this State, owning between
10000 aud $4,000 acres In the counties OF Green,
Duchess Oneida olsego and Montgomery The property
alleged to have been destroyed was situated in the
latter county.
The affidavit Of Mr.. Clarke. upon which the
order of arrest was granted by Judge DOno-
hue sets forth that he became possessed of
the lands through grant by the Colonial
Council TO william CORY and others. The associates
Of CORY transferred an undivided mOiety to George
Clarke an ancestor Of the present owner The title to
this land been the subject OF much controversy and
the matter was IN the courts for many years During
the anti-rent excitement which lasted from 1916 to
1850 suit brought. on petition OF the tenants,
by the State against Mr.. Clarke 10 yacate his
Ietters patent on the ground OF original fraud in
the obtaining of the grant, This suit decided in Mr.
Clarkes favor in every from the Circuit before
Judge Cady to the court Of last resort at Albany about
fifteen years ago.
Mr. Clarke's father had let out the land In farms OF
about 200 acres each upon leases Of two lives In being
but not less than thirty-three years, at an
annual rental OF 12is cents an acre. These
leases began to expire In largo numbers about 1870 and
new leases we're offered the tenants at increased rates. OF
froa so cents to 81 so and 81 an acre. ibis increase
MET with great opposition from the tenants. many OF
whom had occupied their farms for two generations
tn the complaints Mr. Clarke replied that he could find
tenants nj the and that those who did not
accent them could surrender their farms TO new tenants
who were willing 10 pay the new leases. About this
time Mr. Clarke began experience much trouble with
mia tenants and since then large number OF houses
harms outbudngs fences and other property have been
burned from time value OF whchs estimated at
$4,000 In 1874 there began to appear In various papers
nubshed ia Montgomery County communications OF an
reendiary character The first Of these appeared In
The Monfgomery County Republican, and was signed
Autrenters TO the Backbone" II warned ell persons
IN keen clear" OF Clarkes lands as they became va
cant threatened all who would not do and expressed
the determination 20 burn aud starve Clarke OUT II
mentioned several fires which had just taken place ana
any persons who In the future shou
endeayor TO stop the burning OF Carkes property Inc
article also accused Clarke OF having obtained MS prop
erty by fraud and Of charging exorbitant rents MT
ClarE, replied to this in the newspapers BY defending
hts titles and right charge reasonable rents Thea
Followed long and bitter newspaper controversy.
h,. aa followed By the formation OF secret society
e.Ilao the Montgomery Tenants Mutual Society," with
r. svowed purpose, Mr.. Clarkes affidavit states, OF
Inn ming his buildngs and doing all tho damage possible
the rss meeting held at the house OF Smith Lathe
the father nlaw OF Monanye, at Charleston -Four oef