Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-03
AN rrNTOT7E HISTORY.

Is there, Dut lne amount IS undoubtedly
considerable.
AN UNIQUE HISTORY.
There is quite an unique history at
tached to this suit. DR.. Parker's father,
half century ago, was Register of the
Land Office for Virginia, and at that
time the Commonwealth included what
is now West Virginia in its borders DR..
Parker, then a young man, was a clerk
in his fathers office, and one of his duties
involved the issuing OF Gslrrants for what
were known as wild lands In the coun-
ties on the western borders of the State
were many thousands of acres of land
which were considered 10 be almost
valu6less and which had been relinquish-
ed by their original owners they
having refused TO pay taxes upon them.
Under an act Of the General Assembly,
these lands were thrown open TO any one
who would make a survey and lay claim
to them and guarantee TO pay the taxes.
In the Legislature at that time was ].
w. Horner, who represented the Parkers-
burg district. He, realizing that the
wild land might at some time become
valuable, made u proposition TO young
Parker TO lay claim to some OF ii. His
proposition was. In fact that If the
young clerk would make out the war
rants for the land, he Qiorne) would
make the survey and take possession,
dividing profits. Warrants were, accord
ingly, made out for about 5000 acres Of
land. and the property being scattered
over such a vast area, Mr.. Horner found
il necessary 10 take a third party in on
the deal. Accordingly with the consent
OF DR.. Parker, Rev. Mr.. Lauck, MethO-
dist preacher. was admitted to partner
ship. and the land was surveyed and
warranted in the Land Office at Richmond
az the joint property Of the three.
LAUCK TOOK POSSESSION.
When the war came on, DR.. Parker and
Mr.. Horner went TO the front, but DR..
Parker continued to pay taxes on the
land. though after the surrender no re-
cord of his payments could be found.
The property was then advertised and
sold. and Lauck, through the agency of
a third party, bought 1t in for the taxes.
DR.. Parker then produced his tax re-
ceipts and laid claim TO the property, but
in some manner he was dispossessed,
though Iauck offered MIN $1,000 not 20
push his claim. This offer he declined.
Time rolled on and the OIL was discovered
on the land and its value Increased.
Lauck sold a considerable portion Of ii
for $4,000. He died and left LILO acres
as a legacy TO his son, and IL Is this
tract which Dr. Parker has now secured
through the Supreme Court.
The Doctor had almost forgotten that
he had any claim 10 the land, and had
abandoned all idea of ever realizing any
thing from his claim, when. about two
years ago. he received q letter from q
lawyer at Parkersburg. notifying him OF
I,auck's death, and assuring lim that his
title 10 the land could be proven.
PRESSED THE CASE.
Then DIR. Parker called to his assist
ance Hon. j. G. Parker Of Southampton,
who went to West Virginia and instituted
suit. He pressed the case, and won a
victory in the Wetzel County Court. The
case was appealed 10 the Supreme Court
by the legatee. and was argued there
some months ago. The Court did not hand
down an opinion however. until Thurs
day. and then Mr.. J. c. Parker was notl-
ded and he promptly wired Dr. Parker.