The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-01-29
MINERAL LAND,
Decision in The Celebrated Iowa Hill TOTn-
site Case.

WAsHIXGTON, Jan. 28.-Secretary Noble
to-day decided all interesting case involving
the town Of Iowa Hill, p acer County Cal.
1t was the case of 3. f. Myers VS.. JOHN b.
HObsOn ct al, involving a mineral applca-
tiOn for land in the Sacramento district.
The Commissioners decision in holding
HobSOn'S mineral application for cancela-
ton is reversed by Secretary Noble He
says HObSOn ct al. should be allowed to
make an entry for the tract. HObson, in
1887, made a mineral application for the
Excelsior placer mine. 1t had once been
embraced in the Central Pacific Company's
selections, but was cancelled on account of
the existence of minerals, in June, 1887,
b. f. Myers, Superior Judge of Placer
| County, as eX-0ffcio trustee for the inhab-
itants Of the town of Iowa Hill, filed an ap-
plicaii0n for patent to the fractional north
west quarter Of said Section So alleging
that the land was more valuable for agri-
cultural purposes and for purposes of resi-
dence, trade and business than for mining
purposes. After hearing the Register and
Receiver found that the land in question
possessed but little or no value for agrlCul-
tural or for municipal or residence purposes,
or as a town site, but that it possessed posi-
tive and high value for mineral purposes.
! The Commissioners reversed the decision
and an appeal was taken to the department..
The Secretary says the town of Iowa Hill
has been in existence since 1854 and soon
alter mining operations began in Placer
County, The town once had more than
1000 inhabitants, but at the time Of the trial
only about 80. Of whom only thirty resided
on the tract IN question. The majority. and
the better class of citizens, lived on land ad-
joining this tract and knew nothing of this
JOwnsite application, ana were opposed to
it, The land had a positive value for its
min rFi flhpftEnnno Of nDll tt~t al
ready been taken from this ground. Some
OF the tOWn-Site witnesses testified that the
tract is not valuable for mining purposes,
but their opinions are mainly based upon
results obtained in former years. The fail
ure to obtain good returns from hydraulic
works thirty years ago Is no criterion Of
present value of mineral land, with the
present improved machinery, cheapened
supplies, Increased knowledge Of mining,
etc.
OTHER CASES DECIDED.
In the case of the Southern Pacific Com
panY- Edith A. Stllman, involving land
in the VISala district, California, the Com
mjsSIoner's decision in rejecting the COM
pany'S indemnity selections is reversed by
Secretary Noble and the case is returned to
the Commissioner with instructions to give
Edith \. Stillman notice that she will be
allowed thirty days from the receipt thereof
to how cause why the railroad cOmpany'S
selection should net be approved.
In the ease of PSier A. Hanson VS.. Henry
II. Horstman and John A. Livingston, his
heir, the appeal from the Commissioners
decision holding Liyingston's homestead for
cancellation is dismissed.
In the case of James Kasson VS.. the Stet-
son and Post Mill Company and others the
Commissioner decision rejecting kaSSOn'S
Valentine scrip application for land in the
Seattle district is affirmed.
Ia the case of Patrick Butler vs. Alvin
Cameron, involving a homestead entry in
Humboldt district, the Commissioners de-
cisi0n dismiSsing the contest against CAM
eron's homestead entry is affirmed