The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1893-05-25
SCRAP OYER A TAX TITLE.
Attorney Madigan and Auditor An
tderson Disagree on Tax
Judgment Methods.
The Redwood Falls Drivinu Club
Summer Meeting July
and 5.

The county commissioners did not
adjourn last Saturday afternoon until
after one of the most exciting
scenes in the annals of the board had
been enacted, County Auditor Ander-
son and County Attorney Madigan,
with Register Evans sandwiched be-
twixt the two, being the cause of the
lively affair.
A number of years ago half Sec
ton of land in the town of Three
Lakes, owned by Philip Goodman, OF
Saltwater, was sold to R. Bum, OF
Wisconsin, by the county auditor, on
a tax judgment, the taxes and penalty
amounting to over $500. Later Good
man appealed from the judgment, ,and
the courts declared that it was null
and void. County Auditor Anderson
returned Bum the money paid for
the tax title, Go. Attorney Mndigan
declares, in contravention of his opin-
ion as county attorney. Just lbefore
the latter deal, however, Goodman en-
tered into an arrangement with Mr.
Madigan whereby the latter was to
purchase the half section, paying Mr.
Goodman at the rate of SIP per acre
for the same. Register Evans refused
to record the deed of transfer until
Auditor Anderson certified that the
taxes were paid. The latter refused
the certificate, claiming that he had
the right to remedy the defective
judgment and re-tax the property for
the sum above stated, pointing to a
recent decision of the supreme court
as authority. Judge Webber's deci-
sion declares that the statute of limita
ton having expired, the land cannot
be- sxsd. and this Mr.. Anderson
this will be reversed by the Su-
preme Court.
Before the commissioners, Mr.. Mad
igan claimed that Mr.. Anderson was
wrong when he reimbursed Bum, and
contended that the auditor should be
sued by the county for the amount
turned over to Bum, and that he
would have Goodman apply for writ
of mandamus compelling Mr.. Ander-
son to certify to the taxes being paid
and Register Evans to accept the
deed. AS county attorney, he said he
would carry the case against Goodman
to the supreme court, if instructed
but he was certain that the county
would lose the case. Mr.. Anderson
insisted that his course was right and
Mr.. Madigan declared that it was
wrong. The latter instructed Good.
man, who was present, to officially
request Messrs. Anderson and Evans
to certify and receive the deed o1
transfer then and there. They re.
fused. Mr.. Madigan and Mr.. Good
man left the commissioners office
The three commissioners present al
the time, Messrs. >Philbrick, Billing
ton and Pease, instructed the auditor
inasmuch as Mr.. Madigan was person.
ally interested, to employ other coun-
sci to certify the whole proceeding te
the supreme court.
On Saturday night Mr.. Goodman
offered to settle The matter with Com
missioner Philbrick by paying one.
half of the taxes. The proposition
was refused. On Sunday Mr.. Madi.
gan drove out to view the land, result
ing in the announcement from him
that he would break the agreement
with Mr.. Goodman. In cancelline
he bargain MI. .Madigan declares thai
Goodman has grounds for an action
against Messrs. Anderson and Evans
The commissioners refused to repair
the bridge across the Minnesota north
af Belview, because the same was de
clared Renville county matter; $7t
was appropriated for grading the road
on the mel Of Sec. 5. RrOOkyi1le: S7E
for the same running on the east line
of the ne4 of Sec. Ii, New Avon; $1O(
for draining the slough on the qs. line
of the 81 of Sec. 16, Morgan township
$500 for a bridge across Pelt creek
Lamberton; $3.50 for grading the road
between Sheridan and Redwood; $7s
for bridge across the creek betwes1
Secs. 30 and %, Swedes Forest; $15(
for grading the road on Sec. 36, tow1