The Widow and the Land Graber

An important case was decided in the United States circuit court of appeals this morning, which seriously affects land titles in the town of Everett. Evidence shows how an unfortunate widow and her half-orphan children were wantonly robbed of their rights. A Mexican war veteran named Hatch died years ago, leaving his wife (who is an Indian woman) a series of land parcels which he had taken up. Hatch died in 1889, before his land was fully proved up. He left his wife and children to the care of E. C. Ferguson. The wife, probably acting on Ferguson's advice, proved up on the land and got a perfect title. She had implicit confidence in Ferguson, and when he suggested that she give him power of attorney with full power to sell, she did so without hesitancy. He sold the property on which the town of Everett now stands for $10 an acre. The property was transferred to Henry Hewitt, who within six months sold it to a syndicate known as the Everett Land Company for $100 an acre. The remaining 100 acres were left to the Hatch children, but as Ferguson was their guardian, he had little difficulty in getting the consent of their mother to dispose of the property at a good price. It was sold to a brother of Henry Hewitt, but afterward found its way into the hands of the latter and the syndicate. It was some time before the eyes of the unfortunate Indian woman were opened to the deceit and trickery which had been practiced on her, and she consulted a Seattle attorney. He immediately brought suit in the circuit court of Washington, and it was decided that the property on which the town of Everett lies must be returned to the widow and orphans.