The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-10-22

Potrero property, who have been interested in
the same from the earliest days. | have now
learned that many of the parties concerned
are likewise DESTROYS OF availing themselves OF
the opportunity 10 secure the missing link
necessary to perfect their titles.
In many respects the claim set up by
Mr.. Lathrop is one of the most remarkable
on record in that it was only about four
weeks ago, and then by the merest acct
dent, it was brought to his recollection
that he held deed covering over 500
blocks in the Potrero Nuevo. This
means. if his statement is correct, and of
this there seems little doubt, for the Re-
corder's office substantiates what he says,
that he has stumbled on fortune, even at
the modest figure named to the Potrero
property holders as the price of a perfect
title to which they have hitherto believed
was an unclouded property.
According to the statement of Mr..
Lathrop he bought the property in 1867
from Sllas III. Bowman, who, in considera-
ton OF the sum of $4,000, executed a deed
covering his right, interest and title in all
properties in the City and County of San
Francisco. Mr.. Lathrop has had an alb
straCt made of the Potrero property, with
its almost countless transfers. 1t covers
nearly 300 pages. 1t appears in the record
that Bowman had claim of $50 acres sur
veyed by County Surveyor HUMPHREYS
IQdC
section, had some trouble to establish his
title. 1t was finally adjudicated, however,
as being good under the original Pueblo
title. This title was dated August II,
1852, and recorded September of the same
year.
Bowman still entertained doubts as to
the legality of his title, and so entered into
an agreement with Cornelius Ludlim, J.
w. harrington, William NJ. Eddy J. Story
and n. c. Reed, all large Potrero land
owners, in which by a trust deed all their
interests were united. This trust deed was
made July 90, 1853, and recorded in book
2, page 357, of Covenants. On Septemb Der
80, or just two months after the trust deed
was executed, it appears that Bowman,
without first obtaining the consent of his
associates, placed on record revocation
of his interest in the trust, and then pro-
ceeded to sell portions of the land when
purchasers could be found. 1t is these
sales which Mr.. Lathrop declares to be in
valid, for the reason that these very prop
critics were then tied up in the trust matter.
On September II, 1862 suit was brought
by William f. Bryant in the Twelfth Dis
trict Court of California against Cornelius
Ludlim, the only surviving trustee, in
which the court was asked to order the
sale and division of the property. Bryant
held twenty shares of the stock of the
original trust, which he had acquired by
purchase from Cornelius LudIlm and j. w.
Harrington, the consideration being SIC, OOO
On July Ia, 1868, a judgment and decree
were rendered in favor of Bryant and so
recorded. The abstract, however, does not
show that the order of the court was ever
carried out, but it does place in evidence
deed from Silas II. Bowman to B. G.
Lathrop, in which the former dlsposes of
his right, interest and title to the latter,
which he might own in the City and
County of San Francisco as stated above.
This deed bears date of May 80. 1867.
Mr.. Lathrop does not propose to carry
his claim into the court, provided the
present holders recognize the legality of
his claim. The last entries in the abstract
are deeds from Mr.. Lathrop TO Andrew
Valentine and John Center, the first bear
ing date of September and the latter
September 18 of the current year. The
price paid was 81 per front foot.
1t appears that Mr.. Valentine sought to
secure perfect title to certain properties
which he held in the Potrero. and in going
over the records discovered Mr.. Lathrop's
interest. Then it was that Mr.. Lathrop
recalled the purchase made twenty-eipht
years ago, but which he has allowed to lie
dormant through nearly third of CEN
fury because of other business matters
which promised greater returns.
The property claimed by Mr.. Lathrop is
bounded as follows: North by Fourteenth
street, east by San Francisco Bay, south
by Islais Creek and west by Valencia street.