The Land War Over the Strickler Estate

In the United States district court for the district of Washington, Judge Hanford denied a motion by Sarah Hershberger et al. to dismiss a suit against Edward Blewett concerning the estate of William A. Strickler. The dispute centers on land once held under the Oregon Donation Law. Complainants argued that because the probate court of King County had initiated administration of the estate as far back as 1869—only to leave it stagnant for decades—the land was in 'custodia legis' and outside the jurisdiction of federal courts. Judge Hanford rejected this, noting that the probate record was insufficient to prove the court held exclusive jurisdiction. He suggested that if the current probate proceedings in the Superior Court of King County were allowed to proceed as a way to clear title for descendants, 'future generations of grants may wait while administrations follow administrations.' The court further cast doubt on the claims that Strickler had fully perfected his rights under the donation law, noting that a patent was issued to his heirs rather than to him, suggesting the title vested in the heirs as direct grantees of the government rather than through inheritance from Strickler's estate.