New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-26
FEUDS IN ADIRONDACK
Should acquire Land
ISaus II. Z. Ho5cIGnd.

That the continued friction in the Adiron-
dacks incident to the suppression OF squ1lSeI
sovereignty by private ownership. which Is Oe
lisvsd to have led to the murder CO Orrando r
DEXTER. must be stopped II necessary oy 'he
state stepping in and either acquiring the TAX
TITLES to the land or affording protection 10 ne
private land owners was the opinion expressed
yesterday by ex-Judge Henry Z. Rowland. pres
.dent OF the Association for the Protection OF
the Adirondacks.
The former Judge considers that the rest IN
terests OF the nation call FOR the protection OF
the private preserves az linst SUCH Things as
the damming of the private streams oy the
Iurn bsrme1 order to 1oat their pulp WoOo
and single bolts, or what not, down stTEan-
According to various members OK the associa-
ton. this daun1ing Of the watercourses and
consequent nooding OF the neighboring lands
kills the fish in the streams. destroys the timber
and otherwise causes untold damage. The re-
fusal OF private land owners to permit this lum-
boring across their preserves, numbering wh'cn
at slightly higher cost could easily he carried
on outside, Is almost entfrely responsible. II Is
asserted, for the bitter feeling borne by the
natives woodsmen and squatters against the
land owners. and to 1t such incidents as the
Dexter murder may directly be traced. II Is
said.
Some of these squatters," said Mr.. Rowland
y
Tor what they consider a circumscription or
rights they formerly enjoyed. AS an example.
cases are again and again being brought TO our
attention in which a vindictive squatter has
turned loose black bass in a stream stocked
with young trout, completely destroying the
latter fish. The private owners. if people would
only realize the fact, have been the salvation OF
the AdlrondacFs. The Adirondack region. If
only, for instance. for its Influence on agricult-
ure and waterpower. and its agency as a pre-
ventive Of destructive foundations. should be a
matter not only of local or State Importance, but
the whole country should be interested in l.
Stop and ask an old river pilot if the Hudson is
not growing shallow. and why. and you will learn
what injury TO the AdirOndacks do.
The association. by preventing the repeal
Of protective laws and otherwise, is doing much
to try to prevent the direct indirect deforest
ing and injury to property by the squatters
and others. The squatters don't relish any in
reference with their former privileges and fire.
quentIy carry their grudges to an unbelievable
extent the recent elk killing episode being an
example. The Dexter case is probably another
example OF a miller or squatter carrying his
resentment against the circumstances OF his
fancied rights TO the extreme limit
John p. Badger the attorney for Henry Dex-
ter the father OF the murdered man. who Is
assisting Sheriff Steenberge in tracking Dexter's
mysterious assailant, intimated before his de-
parture from this city on Tuesday. that the
Sheriff believed a certain miller in ST. Law
renee County. who showed extreme hostility TO
Mr.. Dexter. because OF the latter's refusal on
taking over land in that county TO allow the
miller the continued use OF Mr. Dexter's
stream to float pUlpwood and single bolts to
the woods below, could shed considerable light
on the mysterious affair. The miller or millefs
man I'm ouestion left his house after the day OF
the murder and has not since been seen. II is
known on good authority here that the Sheriff
has been searching for this man.
II was learned last night that Henry Dexter
yesterday received a letter from Mr.. Badger.
written at Malone. in which the latter said that
the Sheriff was still following the same line
and was confident Of success.
Mr.. Dexter was in good health. Miss Sanford.
his niece said last night. The last two or
three days. however, he had devoted largely
to the administration Of the murdered mans