The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1901-11-07
THE COURT HOUSE QUESTION

To tho EDrToR:-The editorial relating
to the court house question is timely.
It merits action. 1t is not only common
sense and ordinary business precaution,"
but who knows who may be the first to
lose 'home," his ''little ALL" because OF
this insecurity? Few realize the terrible
consequences should fire destroy the
reeords-at least fear they do not. How
many owners Of farms have in their pos
session or can produce the deeds or other
evidence of title to their grantorf How
many, in case of an attack. can show or
prove title back to the United States
patent without the aid Of the records?
And no man or woman or minor child is
safe from an attack especially il it is
known ''the records are destroyed"
have in mind five cases decided within
comparatively few years, four in King
county upon which I passed and one in
Snohomish county in which assisted, in
all of which the true owners would have
been defeated had it not been for the
records. The reports" Of every state Of
tho Union have cases upon cases in which
ownership was established solely by the
records.
Owners ofproperty in San Juan county,
have you any conception what you might
suffer should you awake some morning
and learn of the destruction of the records
Of tho territorial courts, of the superior
court, Of tho probate court, of the deed
and mortgage books, of the treasurcr's
and other records? Even il no attack
comes from anyone seeking to deprive
you of ownership have you thought,
"How could I prove my title and my
ownership should want to SELF"
This fear of destruction il not an idle
one. A few weeks ago while at the
county seat conversing with leading
citizen, he said. ''Should fire break out
here Zone was thon raging in the outskirts)
and favorable wind for spreading it
prevail nothing could save tho town
every building and the contents would
CO." Asking him why?.hs replied mo
protection-no water, no facilities" l
fear, fellow taxpayers, we are penny
wise and pound foolish"
as w yOuE OtAloA pOAhSs AAOW lilo
effect produced on me when first visiting
these beautiful islands with the view of
locating, and seeing the 'old rookery"
with its ''dingy little coops'' and unsafe
safe. also know the effect on at least two
guests of mine, when showing them the
county seat. This matter of EFFECT" upon
strangers whether intending to locate or
not and upon visitors is material and inn
partant, both viewed as a sentimental one
of pride in these islands or as pure
"hard shell" proposition of business. The
"effec." upon stranger or visitor may
either make him friend or an enemy; if
friend his good words will help, if an
enemy 1--WE have enough on the mainland)
who can tell the injury this county sus-
tains? An injury to this county collec-
lively is an injury to you and I-individ-
ually.
Perhaps the necessity for court room
is not so urgent as security to records,
vet the cost for both can he but slightly
more. Mr.. Editor, assuming you have
the data, what would approximately the
tax be for each taxpayer for an appropri-
ate, modest court house? I believe il
would be nominal. Taxpayers, let US
clock the stable door before the horse is
stolen" What say your
L. j. LICHTENBERG.
Lopez, October 81, 1891.