Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1879-12-11

Some of our readers thought we were
unnecessarily severe in our castigation of
A. A, Brown, and felt quite indignant that
we should deGounce him in the most severe
language. A recent issue of the Rochest-
er Record and Union contains the follow
ing from Ii. D, Hillman, stenographic court
reporter:
WABAsHA. Mnn., Nov. 19, 1879
| While in attendance upon the present term
of court at this place, my attention has
been called by one OF the jurors to an i'm
portant suit now in progress in the United
States Circuit Court, at st. Paul, brought
to test the validity Of a patent issued by
the government of the United States. AS
there are large number Of similar cases
in this county, and several in Dodge coun-
ty, Steel, Waseca and others, a brief state
ulcnt of the facts in the case viii no doubt
be of Interest.
AS to The case in question. In Septem
bcr, 1881, Antoine Buison, a minor half
breed =, lis guardian sold 80 acres in sec
ton 81 in the town ui Highland, to one
McDougall. In March, 1862, having G2
come of age, Antoine confirmed the for
mer transfer and gave warranty deed for
was sold 10 Rev. MIR. Willard, of Plainview,
present occupant Mr.. Knapp, coming into
full possession in 1870 In 1873, one Shil-
lock obtained the cancellation, at the New
Ulm Land Office, of the scrip entry, by
order of the Commissioner of the General
Land Office. The scrip was reissued and
used elsewhere by Shillock. Some two
years subsequent, A. A. Brown, Register
at the New Ulm land Office, having access
to the books, took advantage of his official
position to enrich himself at tie expense of
actual settlers, and together with one Kelley
of the Redwood land office, these cancelled
entries were looked up, and the lands per-
sonaIly inspected, ard then entered by
means Of soldiers additionals. Several
hundred acres were thus located, aud
among others this farm refeTedto The
land was entered in the name of Isaac
Sorenson. Of Dodge county, to whom u
patent was issued dated May 5, 1877. In
the meantime, a deed WAS given by Sorcn
son and wife to Knutc Brown, of Chicago,
IL brother of the Register in the new Ulm
land Office. The patent and deed were
filed with the Register of Deeds in this
county in August 1877, and in December
Of that year Mr.. Knapp WAS notified of the
fact. 0tEcr pa-iivs also received notice,
and actions in eiectment were commenced
to dispoSsess the occupants of the lands
thus entered SIr Knapp at once pro
cured Judge Wilson, Of Winona, as coun-
sci, while Messrs. Smith & EgaR, of St.
Paul, appeared representing Mr.. Brown. By
agreement the case was brought In the u.
s. Circuit Court, where suit was also
brought by MIR. Knapp against all the
parties. Through correspondence with
Congressman Dunnell and Strait, the
matter was brought to the attention of the
Secretary of the Interior, Mr. Schurz, and
a suit WAS instituted by the United States
against the same parties, u special agent
was appointed to hear and report the facts
in the case. and the ex minaton is now
being conducted by a Master in Chancery
at st Paul, The authorities at Washington
arc. determined to make this test case,
and considerable interest will be felt to
learn the final decision, as it will involve
the question as to the validity Of q patent
issued by the government, and also tend to
develop the corrupt conduct of some govern
ment officials.