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 denounce 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. Mimi, 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 Il 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, brief state
ment of the facts in the case viii no doubt
be of interest.
AS to The case in question In Septem-
Der, 1851, Antoine Buison, minor half
breed -. his guardian sold go acres in sec
ton 81 in the town u Highland, to one
McDougall, In March, 1862, having &c
come of age, Antoine confirmed the for
mer transfer and gave warranty deed for
was sold 10 Rev. Mr. Willard, of Plainview,
for 1865, who in turn sold it fer $500, the
present occupant Mr.. Knapp, coming into
full possession in 1870 Ii. 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 Shilock. 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 the expense of
actual settlers, and together with one Kelley
of the Redwood land office, these cancelled
entries were looked up, and the lands per-
sonally inspected, and then entered by
means of soldiers additionals. Several
hundred acres were thus located, aud
among others this farm referred to- The
land was entered i'll the name of Isaac
Sorenson. of Dodge county, to whom u
patent was issued dated May 5, 1877. In
the meantime, deed was given by Soren-
son and wife to Knute Brown, of Chicago,
a 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. Othcr parties also received notice,
and actions in ejectment were commenced
to dispoSsess the occupants of the lands
thus entered AIr Knapp at once pro-
cured Judge Wilson, Of Winona, as coun-
sci, while Messrs Smith & EgaR, of St.
Paul, appeared representing sIr. Brown. By
agreement the case Was brought in the U.
5. 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
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 mination is now
being conducted by 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 patent
issued by the government, and also tend to
develop the corrupt conduct fsome govern
ment officials.