Williams v. Baker
Supreme Court of the United States
[Though the two cases here reported were decided in order of time prior to that of the Huiwsiead/iJ&mpany y»- Valley Railroad next in order of place (beginning on page 153),-arid are referred to in it, yet the reader who is not already acquainted with the facts of what is known in Iowa as the Des Moines River land litigation may, possibly, find it as well to read, before reading the cases now immediately given, the later one, beginning, as already said, on- page 153, and in…
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[Though the two cases here reported were decided in order of time prior to that of the Huiwsiead/iJ&mpany y»- Valley Railroad next in order of place (beginning on page 153),-arid are referred to in it, yet the reader who is not already acquainted with the facts of what is known in Iowa as the Des Moines River land litigation may, possibly, find it as well to read, before reading the cases now immediately given, the later one, beginning, as already said, on- page 153, and in which a diagram will assist his comprehension of a topography common to both cases.] On appeals from the Circuit Court…
1Opinion of the CourtJustice Miller
The foundations of the title on each side of this controversy rest on acts of Congress, and the decision of the cases requires their construction. The casés ave identical, except that as the holder of each of the conflicting titles becomes plaintiff in turn, he is thrown upon the strength of his own title, rather than the weakness of the opposing one.
The title of Baker has its inception in the act of August 8th, 1846, the material part of which is in these words:
“ There is hereby granted to the Territory of Iowa, for the purpose of aiding said Territory in improving the navigation of the Bes…
2Cited by17 opinions
- United States v. Des Moines Navigation & Railway Co.Supreme Court of the United States · 1892
- Litchfield v. County of WebsterSupreme Court of the United States · 1880
- Stryker v. Goodnow's AdministratorSupreme Court of the United States · 1887
- Bullard v. Des Moines & Fort Dodge RailroadSupreme Court of the United States · 1887
- Russell v. Texas Co.Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit · 1956
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