Evening journal., 1892-02-20
WANTS THE EARTH.
An Iowa Woman Claims the Land
Upon Which Wilmington Stands.

She writes to Recorder of Deeds J. T.
shallcross for ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
with whom the clerks Have to
Deal.
Recorder of Deeds James T. Shallcross
has received the following letter. which
explains itself:
''CoIo, Story Co., Iowa, Feb, II. 1892.
Recorder ut Wilmington. Del.
Almost a year ago | exchanged letters
with the then recorder, whose name was
Shallcross. l may be addressing the
same recorder at this time. However
that will make no difference in the bust
ness in hand And II you cannot give
me the information l want l would like
you to give me,the address Of res poDsible
attorney who viii attend to just what l
ask OF him without restraint.
"First. | want to know just what year
that lease WAS given by the six children
Of @ @. Springer to other parties for the
period of ninety-nine years, Of land upon
which is the city of Wilmington. We are
well informed upon all points Of the case
except the exact year it was ei ven. We
think 1t was given about INA or l775
We are also Ia full knowledge OF its real
existence from parties who have ex
amined the records. We are now able to
commence active business In putting our
claim before the people.
"Our genealogy has been thoroughly
examined and by our attorneys we are
advised to push our rights through, and
as we are not psupers we will stand by
oar rights.
"Win you ascertain for me the exact
year and the names Of all the six children
who gave the leasef Don't understand
me thai ask this done free
of charge l shall expect to
pay you for your trouble, and II you have
not tine time or incliuaton, advise me as
to who can place confidence In to assist
my attorneys here.
Respectfully.
MARTHA j. BELT,
Colo, Story Co., Iowa.
REFERRED TO AN ATTORNEY.
The recorder and his clerks had good
laugh over the matter. During the
laugh young lawyer came into the
room The letter was shown to him and
be refused to Gccept the case.
Just how long it will be before the
residents Of Wilmington will have to
leave town or pay fancy prices for their
land is matter Of conjecture
SHE WANTED SEVEN MORTGAGES
This is but one Of many incidents that
come up in the recorders office.
Several weeks ago a woman walked
into the Office and said that she wanted
seven mortgages recorded The clerk
left his desk and bowed obsequiously to
the woman who had corner
in mortgages BE asked her where
the mortgages were. She told him that
she wanted him to make them out, an d
followed this up by giving the names OF
seven of the wesltbiest men In town.
The clerk saw that she was a crank and
tried to induce hes TO go out. She refused
ana had to be elected
Ga another occasion a man walked into
the Office and said that he wanted 30 see
a certain deed that had been left there to
be recorded BE gave the names Of the
parties TO the deed Clerk Edwin A.
Read searched high and low through the
pigeon holes for the instrument oil
writing. he could not find it. Turning
to the man he asked:
"Whsn was that deed left here2"
About seven years ago"
The clerk tumbled and so did the man.
A lawyer who had been enjoying tbs
scene said:
why, man, that is one OF the worst
legal cranks In the city Of Wilmington.
Probably every Cont House official has
had similar sXperien ces.