The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1911-01-06
Decision of U.S.Cour
in Land Grants.
Highest Court Clears the Titles of
Eastern Kentucky's Richest
Coal Fields.


The United States Supreme Court
has settled for all time the big case
of the Land Grabbers' against the
citizens of Eastern Kentucky,
The decision is in favor of the
citizens, upholding the Judgment
of all the State courts through
which this great case has passed.
The favorable settlement of
this troublesome question is one Of
the most important things ever ac-
complished in Eastern Kentucky.
The claims set up by the East
Kentucky Coal Lands Corporation
constituted a cloud upon the titles
to practically all the lands in the
great coal region of the upper Big
Sandy valley. This cloud has been
the greatest obstacle in the way of
the development Of this region. 1t
has been the most difficult task
imaginable to induce capitalists to
invest in this property because of
the clouded title, and but few could
be found who would do so, What
John C. G. Mayo has accomplished
in the face of these complications
Is truly remarkable. And to him
more than to any one else is due
the credit for removing this great
hindrance.
The East Kentucky Coal Lands
Corporation came into existence on.
ly a few years ago, with Jack Hen
drick as counsel. He was former
ly Attorney General of Kentucky
and moved to New York city after
going out of office. Soon after
ward he was associated with Johr
C. c. Mayo in an effort to sell some
of Mr. Mayo's coal lands. 1t is sait
that while in this connection Mr.
Hendrick became acquainted witt
the facts about the old land grants
issued by Virginia about 100 years
ago.
The corporation referred tC
above is composed of descendant!
of the people to whom these grants
were issued. They had never list
ed the property for taxation. ThC
natives holding titles from the
State of Kentucky have been il
possession and have paid taxes oI
these lands for all these years.
In 1906 a law was enacted b!
the Kentucky Legislature for tn,
purpose of curing these titles ant
all others of a similar nature. Thii
act was prepared by Hager & Stew
art, of Ashland. Considerable of
fort was required to secure its pas
sage because legislators from 9th
er sections OF the state did not un
derstand the situation and had t,
be educated to 1t. The larges
share OF credit for the enactment o
the law is given to DR.. MIG. Wat
son, then a member of the Stat,
Senate. He and ]. w. NJ. Stewart la
bored for its enactment from th
opening of the Legislature until
was accomplished near the close o
the session.
The law gave the "granters" un
til March, 1907, to list the proper
ty they claimed and pay taxes TO
five years back They failed t,
comply with the provision and pro
ceeded to attack the constitutional
ity of the law. This is the chic
point that has just been settled b,
the highest court of the United
States.
Hager & Stewart and q. T. Vim
son have fought the case through
Ior the people and the victory Il
one of which they may justly fee
proud.
Hendrick had able attorneys as
ISOLATED with him in the argumen
of the case before the higher
courts. Jack is not as popular IL
Kentucky as he was in former
days. He is charged with hav'
ing failed to show the loyal traits
that Kentuekians like to attribute
to their sons.
The decision Of the Supreme
Court was handed down by Justice
! WIN. r. Day and 1t was concurred