State v. Balli

NORVELL, Justice.

This action involves the validity of the Balli claim or title to “Padre Island,” a well-known sandbar or island, about 110 miles in length, lying within the present counties of Nueces, Kleberg, Kenedy, Wil-lacy and Cameron. The island is bounded on the north by Corpus Christi Pass; on the west by Laguna Madre; on the south by the Pass of Brazos Santiago, and on the east by the Gulf of Mexico.

Trial was to the court without a jury. Judgment was rendered against the State and in favor of appellees who hold under the Padre, Nicolas Balli, and his nephew, Juan Jose Balli. No…