The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1888-02-03

: 1EV J
WILLIAM nsoARIAHAx, THE TAxoul
CLAIMANT.
Thirty years ago there came to Wash.
ington from the Pacific slope William
Mc0arrahan. Q wealthy merchant OF
San Francisco. who wanted his title
confirmed to the grant Of land known
- the Panocho Grande Rancho. THAT
waa decade and a half ago, and.: to-day
all that the once wealthy merchant
has to show for his fortune and his eff.
forts 10 the distinction Of being the
most noted claimant of the thousands
who can be seen in . day a. the
nations capital. Ten years he was be-
fore the counts, aud for the past TWEEN.
ty his claim has been pressed before
Congress. The case has three times
been decided in bis favor by the courts
twice by the Secretaries Of the Interior
once by the President of the United
States, and both Houses Of Congress
have passed measures for its adjust.
ment; but he is to-day in exactly the
same position as he was thirty years
ago, except poorer.
The story of his claim is long one.
covering period since 1874, and COM
prising q, many astonishing details
that Senator Beck once said of it that
"fiction would not dare risk its
The facts as found by
these courts and various committees of
Congress are, that in the year 1874
Micheltorcna, then Governor of
Upper California, rnd satrap Of Spain.
In accordance with q Mexican custom
to confer lands upon favored citizens,
granted to Vincente Gomez, a tract of
land, considered valueless, known as
the Panoche Grande Rancho.
McGarrahan purchased from Gomez
and expected to realize upon it when
land should increase in value in that
section of the continent. However,
about the time of his purchase. a party
If prospectors, the pioneers of the
Forry-niners, discovered deposits of
on the land fact unknown
10 McGarrahan at the time of his pur-
,hase. These prospectors, finding
hat Gomez had sold "La Panoche
they as squatters, took poses
lion Of the land and held It, as their
successors still hold it. now known as
he New Idria Mining Company.
The ground upon which the New
dria company have sustained their
'cptest against Mc0arrahan is that
he grant to Gomez could not be SUBJ
proved. After ten years Of
litigation McGarrahan took his case
lirectly to President Lincoln, who
greed to personally investigate the
acts. He did 90, and instructed the
Of the Interior to iseue
'atent. The papers were sent to the |
White House, and it Is believed the
PRESIDENT signed them. By some
nischance they never returned again,
nd the subsequent assassination of
he President closed the door by which |
be actual facts could be learned. Be-
ore McGarrxhan could again get q
avorable decision on his case q Con.
committee asked for the
claimed 10 be record Of
atent to the land issued by the
Ieneral Land Office. The books were
reduced, but found to be mutilated,
be record having been torn out. A
roken key in the cabinet containing
he books was the only clue to the
escription.
McGarrahan has never yielded up
ope, even with the fates seemingly
gainst him. Two committees in the
resent Congress have already decided
, recommend that he be allowed to 60
ito the Court of Claims and prove his
tie. A proposition was suggested that
Q compromise by taking another
rant Of land, but he Indignantly
fused. 81 own ,Panoche Grande AZ
'uch as own my hat" said he. 81
mt want gift from the Govern
lent, but I want my,own." II
When he first came to Washington
, paid his lawyers big fees. Thirteen
'ars of continuous litigation followed,
I'd at the end Of that time the
had his fortune and he was {
penniless. Since that time
J has offered contingent fees, and if 1
sever secures his patent it will take
If the value of the property to pay
ese obligations.
:HARLEs DICKENS AT THE CAPITAL.
Charles Dickens Jr. favored Wash.
gton audience, at the Congregation. !
church Monday evening, by reading =
Lotions Of his fathers works. He i
- introduced by Hon. Joseph r. !
awley, U. 8. Senator. Charles II
ckens reads sympathetically and c
scribes graphically the characters he n