The morning times., 1897-02-08
HER sTEPFATHER IN LUCK
Mrs. Cleyeland's Relative Got a
Big Florida Land Grant.
HOKE SMITH HAD REFUSED
But When Secretary Francis Went
in He Decided That DIR. Perrine,
OF Buffalo, Was One of the
Heirs and Ordered the Patent
Issued.

Mrs Grover Cleyeland's S step-father, Dr.
Perrine, of Buffalo, is in great luck His
good fortune has come about through the
aid Of Secretary of tile Interior Francis,
Land Commissioner Lamoreaux and Assist
ant Attorney General of the Interior Depart
ment j. II. Lionbcrger
Secretary Francis has ordered Land Conn
missioner Lamoreaux to issue patent to
the Perrine heirs, of whom DR.. Perrine is
one, for 23 900 acres OF valuable lands in
Southern Florida. The title to these lands
has been gTavely questioned, and Senator
Call has been preparing to bring III bill
to have them thrown open to public settle
ment. They are already occupied by citi-
zens of Florida, who have lived on and inI-
proved them for years, and who will no W be
dispossessed. The Perrines are very for
tunate in having powerful relatives.
The details OF the story which led up to
this piece OF good fortune to the PeTrines
are somewhat romantic In 1888 DR.. Per
rine, OF New York, a botanist OF some ma
tIonal repute, conceived the idea that the
more or less aridy lands in southern Florida
might be utilized in growing certain kinds
or rubber plants, a peculiar kind of flax
and numerous other plants, as well as Ger
tain kinds OF fruits. WhereupOn he was
given by grant by Congress of $4,000 acres
on condition that he should populate the
township by immigration.
Unfortunately for the doctor, before he
could carry out his scheme to it's full
fruition, he was killed by Seninoles, mis-
wife and children were compelled to flee
to the swamps to escape death, and his
house was burned. Eight years afterward
thirty-six families were induced to emf
CRATE from the Bahamas and settle on
the lands, but the Indians, soon after
they arrived, drove them away.
In 1852, after the SemiLoles had been
brought into subjeCtion, the heirs applied
for a patent of the lands Another eight
years elapsed, and then the civil war bIOGe
out. This ended, the Ierrine heirs, most
of whom are scattered throughout the State
OF New York, again applied for the issue
of the patent. There has been the usual
backing and filling by each Secretary OF
the Interior in the matter, and the squat
tiers on the land have rent the air with
their protests.
AS soon as Grover Cleveland was fairly
warm in his seat the sec ond time, however,
the Perrine heirs took fresh courage and
girded up their loins for one last and
mighty effort. The issue OF the patent
meant much 10 them, and so they moved
down on Secretary Hoke Smith in solid
phalanX But he hemmed and hawed, for
would it not be said of him in the daily
prints that he came to the rescue Of the
Perrine heirs because he held a seat in
Grover CleyeIand's Cabinet? This, at least,
is the view some of the very high officials
take OF his action.
However, the heirs found a man who
possessed more courage than Hoke Smith
in Secretary Francis. i few weeks ago
he called up the case from the Land Of
flee, where it has faithfully sIumbered
since $50, and looked it over. Then he
sent for the commissioner and Assistant At
torney General Liunberger. They went
over the case is detail andread over all Of
the affidavits for and against the heirs
and much other matter.
on Monday last Secretary Francis or
dered the Land Commissioner to let the
patent issue, provided, in his opinion. the
proof was sufficient to warrant it, The
commissioner decided thdti it was provided
the law was on his side. Assistant Attor-
ney General Lionberger said this evening
that he has reported back that the law
was all right and to go on with the case.
SO the PerTines get the patent and the
squatters VIII have to quit.