The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1905-05-12
FORBES GRANT
LAND TITLES
Ancient Suit Involving Spanish Grant
In wsstcfh FLORIDA.
Fsonl % JackponrlIla sun.

FrUui tAs JseksOaviIle Sun.
In the long litigation since 1880 for
deeds TO lands IN West Florida, there
waG handed down q decree Saturday
afternoon by Judge Locke Of ths United
States District Court. IN which the
plaintiffs In the case, that of Theodore
Dalcour ct al. va. the United States, are
10 be given patents or deeds 20 ], 90, 900
Acres Of land IN the property Included
IN Spanish grant made the latter part
Of the eighteenth century to John Forbes
q Co.
The case has been in courts since 1880,
and has not yet been finally disposed Of,
90 the United States district attorney
has fled . petition appealing the case
and the motion has been granted by
Judge Locke, the case therefore going
% the United States Supreme Court for
final decision.
The caae was heard DeeemberB, 1904,
on the report Of Special Master r. B.
Archibald, confirming the validity of
surveys thereof, made by tha govern
ment Of Spain TO John Fofbes q Co.
The masters report was approved
Saturday last By Judge Locke, and from
the evidence that the lands are within
the boundaries Of the grant made by
the government OF Spain on February
20, 1918, % John Forbes q Co., that
they are the lands yet undiSposed Of by
the United States Of the lands granted
TO John Forbes & Co. by the captain
general Of Cuba and confirmed to the
legal representatives Of John Forbes,
James Innerarity and John Innerarity
by the decree Of the United States
Court December 5, 1904.
BY decree the report Of the special
master was confirmed, and, further,
that the claim TO the tract located in
West Florida, from the mouth Of Sweet
to the river CfIoetnwhatcheo, and from
the bay Of Santa Rosa along the bay
and the sea and up the Apalachicola
river again 70 the mouth o. Sweetwater
creek, is valid, and that the eomplain-
ants be granted deeds thereto.
Theodore DalcoClr, who brought the
suit IN 1890, married q daughter Of John
Forbes, % whom the great wa made
and who resided thereon, being q large
merchant and planter. The direct liv-
ing defendant Of this branch Of the
family Of John Forbes IL Miss Clemen-
tin Dalcour of Philadelphia. John
Forbes was Scotchman who settled
here In the early times, and his decend-
ants are now connected with the nobil-
ity Of Spain and live In regal splendor.
There are other branches of the family
residing IN England, France, Spain and
this country. The title Of the case
Is that Of Theodore Dalcour and others,
heirs Of John Forbes, Fanny w. ]. In
nerarity and others, and Victoria In
neraFity John FoEbes had associated
with him q partner, an lrishman, one
Innerarity, who Ia interested In the
case.
Representing Miss Clementin Dalcour
II Henry Reed Hatfield, Esq, Of Phila-
delphia, who arrived in the city yester-
day, and is giving his time going over
some 800 or more pages Of closely writ
ten typewriter In connection with the
case. Mr.. Hatfield has had the case in
hand for the past ten years. The grant
of land involved Rs surveyed contains
], 100, 4S6.4b acres, all but $4,000 Of
which have been sold.
The land was granted to John Forbes
by the crown of Spain and the United
States government admitted the valid
ity Of the grant, ~ far was Spain Rs con-
cerned, but eontended that L had not
been filed In the proper office until af-
ter the expiration Of the time allowed
by the treaty between the United
States and Spain for the fling Of such
grants. The Spanish government also
recognized the validity Of the grant
which was partly made by the Indians
themselves and paid for by John Forbes
and partly by the Spanish crown for
services rendered and injuries done 20
the property Of the estate Of John
Forbes during the times Of warlike OPP
erations.
During the summer Attorney Hatfield
win prepare his argument, when the
case comes up in the United States
Supreme Court. or as soon a. Il can be
reached on the list In that court.
For many years the case has been Of
great interest in this State and Was de-
layed some time on account Of records
which were destroyed In the fire of
1901, which records were again repro
duced and reinstated.
~~~~~~~-~-~~~-~~~~~~~~-
The State Convention Of County
School Superintendents met Tuesday
moEning In the Baptist church. An invo-
cation was offered up by Rev. Mr..
CFamer, and address Of welcome was
made by Hon. John W. Henderson, our
worthy mayor, which was responded 70
by Mr.. w. J. SeaTs, after which the
convention proceeded to effect . per-
manent organisation by the election Of
Hon. w. NJ. Holloway, chairman, and
Hon, r. l.. Turner, Supk OF Citrus
county, Secretary.
Professor Asa B. Cake h home. via
iting his mother, other relatives and
hoafa Of hoVhoOd fYieuda