The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-05-29
BIG LAND SUIT.
Extensive Tract i'm Harm County
in Peril.
The Government Wishes to Cancel the Titles
to the Rancho Corte MADEIRA del
Preside Grant

There will soon be instituted in one of the
Federal courts suit that promises to be-
come one of the longest contested and there
fore one of the most famous ever prosecuted
in CALIFORNIA; courts The object of the
litigation will be to bring about the cancel
lation of all existing titles to land originally
included in the COrte MADEIRA del Preside
grant in Marin County.
The bill in equity and accompanying
documents, in all an arm-load, were re-
ceived Wednesday by United States District
Attorney Garter, also instructions to make
certain notifications and bring suit at the
earliest possible opportunity. The modif-
cations suggested are due to the fact that
many Of the party defendants are dead and
their property is 10 the hands of heirs and
strangers. AS soon as these changes are
made to drop certain names and pieces of
property and include others, the papers will
be filed and the great suit begun.
THE BILL REVISED.
The bill was originally drawn up by Dis
trict Attorney John I. Carey, who sent it to
the Department Of Justice. Washington,
ID. c., for revision. 1t was changed some
and then returned to Attorney Garter. The
cause for action is the frauds alleged to
have been perpetrated by the original
grantees In their obtaining from the Gov
eminent the land in question. This was more
than thirty years ago, perhaps forty.
The tenure of this land has never been a
matter Of extra stability, owing to sobrante
claims. One Of these claims was the Rad
sObTante, including a square league. The
present owners of the land number fifteen or
sixteen, all of whom have families and have
lived there for periods varying from ten to
thirty years. Among this number are {:
Frank Nj. PiXley. who has country home
near Ross Valley; William T. Coleman,
who. with the Forbes, own a large tract Of
cultivated land, and James McCue.
ITS LOCATION.
The land may roughly be described as
lying south of Ross Valley and including
Kershaws Island, in Richardson's Bay,
where small town is being built. The
narrow gauge railroad runs through it and
adds much to its value.
This movement on the part Of the Gov
eminent has not been wholly sub rosa, for
several OF the large owners were kept au
| cOurant with the action of the Department
Of Justice. When asked about the suit last
night Mr.. Pixley said, There is all l
know" handing slip of typewriter copy
| which reau as follows:
MR.. PIxLEY NOTIFIED
WASHINGTON, May 10. 1891.
In further answer 10 your letter OF the lSt uit.
| beg to inform you that have this day signed
anu lofWdIueu 10 tue Onlted States Attorney Tor
the Northern District or California a bin for the
| cancellation Of the Rancho CUrte MADEIRA del
Preside grant
w. H. MILLER, Attorney 6 General.
That is all / know, and that was handed
me By a gentleman who is keeping track of
the matter. l am not wO Drying. for my
land / have held for thirty years under a
presumption title, as well as the original
grant. | believe the tract to be contested
for is about 1000 acres in area. The suit
will be contested on all sides 10 the eud, but
In any case L shall not lose, my two titles
making assurance doubly sure | don't
think any one else will lose either. At
least they shouldn't"