Asheville daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1890-1900, 1893-07-28
GREAT ESTATE IN COURT
A SUIT INVOLVING a PRINCE
H.Y FO0aESSION.

Col. a. H. Cochran of san Diego,
Cal. to 1nsaisssee Buit for POs-
session Of 100000 Acres OF
Land im Vvatau&a. Mitchell ana
Caldwell.
There's millions in il ~ the chimcrcal
of Col. Mulberry Sellers, W hile
aged, is brought to ones
mind very forcibly as one contcmplates
Cochran. Il leading member Of the bar of
San Diego. Cal, to Asheville.
Perhaps two weeks ago Col. Cochran,
who is n handsome, short, rather stout,
gentleman, on the sunny side Of 40, with
an eye for business, came here and regis
tered at the Swannanoa hot<' The reg
ister showed nothing but "A. e. Coch-
ran. San Diego, Cal.," and to the ordi-
nary man who looks over the regis
ters that meant only one more stranger
come here to look at one of the best cities
and enjoy tho best climate in all Amer
lea.
But Col. Cochran brought with him
some facts which will almost tempt the
reader to violate the tenth command
ment and wish that he, too, might boast
that the blood Of William Cochran, who
lived century ago, coursed his veins.
Col. Cochran came here to take the
initiatory steps in proceedings that may
restore to the heirs of William Cochran
a princely estate-a tract ofland OF vast
expanse-lying in the counties of Wau-
tauga, Mitchell and Caldwell. this State.
This land was granted to William Coch-
ran and William Tate in the year 1895
by the State of North Carolina the es-
tate aGgregating 1O0,64O acres. The
grantees held possession OF the ceded
domain until their death, about 1926,
when it passed into the hands of their
children. The heirs removed from the
State and in the course of time died. The
fact of the ownership Of all this property
in the Old North State was all but for
gotten. One of these heirs was the
father of Col. A. T.. Cochran.
Some IS years ago Col. Cochrane
lived in Georgia. The matter of the
land to which his father succeeded was
brought to his attention and he deter
mined, if possible, to establish his right
to share the estate. He was a prominent
member of the Georgia legislature from
1876 to 1880 and about this time, bv
facts that would aid him in the accom-
plshmcnt OF his object.
At this period of the story Col. Coch-
ran removed to San Diego. where the
practice which came to him precludcd
the close attention which tho case re-
| lively a short while ago that lie began
| taking definite steps towards claiming
THAT which he believes to be his by right
of inheritance. This trip to Asheville il
| to further his plans and ins' itutc suit
for possession. The writs have been is
sued and the case, one that will be o.
| " idespread interest, will begin in the
next term of the United States district
court at Asheville in November next
There are 61 respondents in the suit.
| The flight of a century marks wonder
| full changes the world over and the tract
of land in which Col. Cochran has a
hereditary interest is as noticcably al
tered as are the country lands of any
| section. Where once the bear and pan
ther held undisputed reign the land is
under cultivation and one hears instead
| of the howl of the animal the prattle O
the child and the merry song of the
mountain lassie as she goes, light ht-hcarted
about the fulflment Of her household du
ties. Where long ago the "too-hoo" o
sound to the whistle of the locomotive
the inhabitants today can hear the
shrek of the Iron civilizer" as it passe:
| along it's track of steel within a few
| miles of the homes of this mountain peo
pie. Where the soil and the prime "a
forest gave back nothing to human being
now the rewards poured out to the in
dustriouS horny-fisted farmer are alik
remuncrativc with the operations of th
lumberman. Where nothing but tn
widest underground flourshed. nov
stand fields of buck " heat and visions O
I"fiitters" and classes" como almos
without bidding.
| The towns of Montczuma and Linvill,
have in late years sprung up on thi
tract. while the famous Cranberry iro
mines are Immediately in the northwes
Icorncr of the grant. Summer hotel
have been built at points near the tract
and the hand of the white man has don
much toward making that section on
of the prettiest regions in Western Mort
Carolina. One attraction OF especial il
tcrest about this tract is the fact tina
it includes Grandfather the grand oil
peak which thousands have come fror
far and near to see and climb, to drin
from one of the coldest springs in exist
cncc, bubbling from it's side, and to pluc
u sprig of heather from the crest as
mcinento of the trip.
Col. Cochran has associated with hit
las counsel in this case cx-Att0rne,
General Theo. F. Davidson, Of Ashevill
and Ex-Governor Thos. ]. Jarvis. Wit
such an able array of legal talent, Co
Cochran is sure to secure his rights
the premises. And who will not sa
that he is a lucky man?
Col. Cochran returned a day or SO ag
from a horseback trip over the tract
question, looking for boundaries, etc.
millions in it ?" Yes, indeed.