El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-02-22

w Will honor the memory Of
w George Washington, the people
at large little dream that through the
fault of the government itself his es-
tate still remains unsettled, and that
much of the property which the general
thought he owned when he died has
been diverted to other people. Yet such
Ia the case In order that his will may
be carried out an administrator de bonis
non has been appointed, and steps are
being taken to have the government
right the wrong which was done him.
Robert E. Lee, jr., grandson Of the con-
federate commander, is the admin1strat-
or, and Greenlee Letcher, a son OF the
famous war governor Of Virginia, Is
one of the lawyers for the estate Law
renee and Samuel Washington are the
agents for the heirs.
His Ohio Lands.
1t will be remembered that Gen.
Washington accepted no pay for his
services as commander OF the revOlu-
tionary forces. When offered $4,000
acres of land as gratuity for his SER
vices he refused 1t, saying that he had
enough to provide those who were OF
his family with competence. A part of
the estate at the time he made this
declaration was 1000 acres of land in
CIermont county, Ohio. He had come
into the possession of this land through
the purchase OF a land warrant, calling
for 5000 acres to be located west Of the
Ohio river. 1t had been issued regular
ly by governor Dunmore in favor OF
John Rootes
In 1885 the Virginia legislature
passed an act making valid such war
rants as that held by Washington, and
providing that they should be located on
| cid Of a Ohfn river In
the vacant land reserved for the Off
GERS and soldiers of the revolution.
Later Washington bought a warrant
for 100 acres of land issued TO Thomas
Cope for service in the Continental line
from Virginia. He then had his two
warrants entered, with S39 acres of
land in Franklin township, Clermont
county, Ohio, 1925 acres in Miami town
ship, on the Little Miami river. S4S acres
in Union township. and 129 acres in An
derson township, Hamilton county. The
Virginia legislature afterward perfected
Washington's titles.
Paid Taxes for Years.
When Virginia coded to the general
government the territory of which the
state OF Ohio now forms a part, it was
expressly stipulated that all necessary
land between the Scioto and Little
Miami rivers should be reserved for the
Satisfaction OF Sucn military ian0 war
rants as Virginia had issued or might
issue TO those who fought in defence OF
their country. Under the general laws
Of the state every major-general in her
line of the revolutionary army was en-
titled to approximately $4,000 acres of
land. Washington was the only one.
Of them who did not take advantage of
this provision, and in keeping with his
fixed principle to accept no compensa-
ton for his services except that which
arises from a sense of patriotic duty
earnestly performed, he never accepted
q foot Of land or other financial reward
from the nation he had done so much
TO found
A rumor at one time reached the ears
Of Cen Washington that others were
locating upon his lands in Ohio. He
wrote to the officials in charge and was
assured that such was not the case, but
that if any steps were taken placing
them in jeopardy he would be notified.
He paid taxes on these lands until the
time Of his death and his heirs contin-
ued TO do so for some time thereafter.
Advised Against Sale.
In his will he beQueathed the prop
erty to certain of his heirs and advised
them against selling at an early date
as he believed the rapid enhancement
in its value would provide them a bet
ter investment than any other secur-
tiles in which the money derived from
its sale could be invested. 1t was on
this advice OF Washington that the heirs
held the land.
Meanwhile other people came in and
made a second entry upon the land.
That they were squatters is shown by
the fact that the surveyor used the
field notes of the Washington survey in
locating the entries. There were various
proceedings in congress from time to
time intended TO protect the title of the
Washington estate to the Ohio land, but
the matter was never adjusted, and was
finally lost sight OF after the last
action OF the original executors OF the
estate.
Washington's Land Lost.
There were other second locations of
lands on the Western Reserve. but in
every case It is said that the losses
were made good either by reIocatious or
scrip. Washington's estate alone lost
its lands for good
In 1852 there was law enacted pro-
viding for the issuance of scriD I'm such
cases. but the affairs of the Washing
ton estate had been settled and there
was no one to make the application for
the scrip In 1899 there was another
law enacted which cut off the right TO
have these old warrants satisfied by
scrip.
1t is held by the Washington heirs
that this law was unconstitutional. that