The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-05-09
RAILWAY LAND STEAL.
The Susquehanna's Lawless
Raid on John 0'Brien's
Property
TWENTY YEAR OLD TITLE.
Law and Order Defied by the
Marauding Gang Of Track
Loungers-Is There No
Remedy?

Guesses are now in order as to how
much OF the city railroads win not steal.
The latest attempt to take what is desir-
able. Notwithstanding the triviality of
title, was made by the Susquehanna Rail-
road Company at Hudson City this
morning.
Just where the D., l.. and W. tracks
cross, and the Erie tracks run under the
Susquehanna road, and near the Hacken-
sack River, is the Susquehanna ward just
back OF the old st. Petsr's Cemetery.
Twenty years ago James O'Brieu. then
a well-known resident of Hudson City,
quehanna Railway Company. and upon
West Of these tracks, which con-
stitute the yard OF the railroad,
Is five acre plot OF ground used as a
pasture ground. Upon the north west
corner Of it is a house. The land and
house are owned by John O'Brien. son
ago.
This morning gang OF railway labor
ers under direction OF Roadmaster Smith
began to tear down the fence enclosing
O'Brien's land, and dir II up preparatory
~
and rails were ready, and the work was
to be pushed through rapidly. Some
trouble was expected from O'Brien. for
Superintendent McKelvey gave instruc-
tions reading
Push the work through unless he can
show papers satisfying you Of his title to
the land"
O'Brien had been informed that the
track was to be built In the night and was
on hand when the work of demolishing
the fence was begun. He objected Wig
orously aud said he would take legal
men kept right on working and soon be-
gan digging up the ground preparatory
TO laying the ties.
THE NEW SPUR
The spur which the railway company
will lay will be the continuation of a
track which has hitherto ended at the
north boundary or Smiths fence. 1t will
run on for four hundred feet, taking a
space twenty-five feet wide, and will re-
lieve the pressure now on the yard.
O'Brien was very much excited when
the Railroad company continued work,
and went to the Third Precinct police
station to seek police aid. Roundsman
Edwards was sent TO the scene
Of the trouble and told O'Bri-
en- that his only relief would
be to swear out warrants for trespass
against the company. Meantime the rail-
way company continues work and o Brien
has gone to seek legal advice. O'Brien's
land is claimed on the hypothesis that it
Is part Of the land which the railway COM
pany bought tor $1,000 from the present
owners father. One year ago the
company attempted twice to take possess
sion, but was warned off by O'Brien and
the railroad gang desisted.
This time, however. they point 10 a
stake driven in the ground about ten feet
within the fence line ard say that this
marks the latest survey naie by En-
giueer Rushing of the railway company.
As It'll their property, they say, they pro-
pose tc use 1T as they please. The Iaborers
are still at work and it is probable that
the track will be laid before night. At
the time old James O'Brien sold the tract
OF land 1t was said that he went there
one night and dug up several buried pots
OF money. The present owner of the land
said to me this morning that he would
not sell any part of the land, but would
hold the whole tract unless given $50. 900
for If