The herald., 1896-01-21

today a single judge upon the superior
bench of this county who was sitting ten
years ago. The case of Rojerio Rocha has
never been decided. 1t still stands in the
courts, while the victim is ekeing out pre-
carious existence far up in the Soledad
we're granted his rights, as they seem to be.
he would be entitled to an estate worth
thousands and thousands of dollars.
don. &. Wiley Wells was succeeded by
others as attorney for the Mission Indians.
At the present time Frank d. Lewis acts in
that capacity and upon him devolves the
duty of protecting Rocha in his rights. Mr..
Lewis has done nothing since his appoint
ment that appears on the record save and
except to secure from the unfortunate
Rocha conveyance to himself of all
of Rocha's rights to the land in question
for the consideration of $40. The deed is
on record in the county recorders office in
book S17 of deeds, page AZ. it bears date
of August 10. 1892, and by its terms
Rocha releases and forever uuitclaims to
Lewis all right, title and interest in the
lands forever. The deed Mr.. Lewis secured
which is Of record reads as follows:
This indenture, made the 10th day of
August, in the year of our Lord one thou
sand eight hundred and ninety-two, be-
tween Rogerio Rocho of the county of Los
Angeles, state of California, party of the
first part, and Frank d. Lewis of the same
place, the party of the second part, wit
nesseth, that the said party of the first
part, for and in consideration of the sum
of $40 of the United States of America, to
him in hand paid by the said party of the
second part. the receipt whereof is hereby
acknowledged, does by these presents re-
mise, release and forever quit claim unto
the party of the second part and to his
heirs and assigns forever all that certain
lot, piece or parcel of land situated in the
cai ty of tot e Val
fornia. and bounded and described partic-
ularly as follows, towit: All the right,
title and interest of the party of the fret
part in and to the lot, lands and water in
ciuded within the exterior boundaries of
the San Fernando raucho, as now surveyed
and embodied, including all the first
party's interest in and to that certain tract
OF land granted to Joaquin Alcalde
and forty partners, including first party, in
1913, by Michcltorena, then governor of
California, together with all and singular
the tenements, hereditaments and appur-
tenances therennto belonging or in any
wise appertaining, ana the reversion and
reversions, remainder and remainders,
rents, issues and profits thereof. to have
and to hold all and singular the said prem
ises, together with the appurtenances, unto
the said party of the second part, and to
his heirs and assigns forever. In witness
whereof the said party of the first part has
lereutltO SSt Ills uduQ anu seal the Gay aQQ
year first above written.
Signed, sealed and delivered in pres
ence OF
RoGERIO X RoCHO.
mark
Witness the signature of Rogerio Rocho
by mark done in my presence this Goth
day of August, 1892, writing his name in
his presence and before mark is affixed.
EDWIN A. MESERyE
(Duly acknowledged before Anthony
Schwam, notary publicly
(Recorded at request of grantee in book
S17 of deeds, at page 42.)
Now it is understood that syndicate is
being formed in this city to purchase the
right of Lewis, which he acquired from
Rocha, and to press the matter in the
courts.
Lewis position in the case is very singu-
lar. While acting as an attorney to pro-
tect the rights of the Indians he secures
for $40 quit claim deed which is worth
thousands and thousands. The matter
has been taken in hand by a number of
citizens. and it will be presented to the In
dian Rights association. A strong endeavor
will be made to compel Lewis to disgorge,
and it is believed that this can be done
without eny very great difficulty, as at
torneys assert that he had no right to take
advantage of his position as the legal ad-
wiser appointed to protect the Indians in
their rights to secure for himself for
nominal sum the very rights he had been
engaged to defend for them.
Rojerio Rocha may yet be restored to
the lands given to him by his friend
Michel Torena So years ago.