Jasper County Democrat, Volume 10, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 July 1907 — STATE SEEKS TO RECOVER FORMER SUBMERGED LANDS? [ARTICLE]

STATE SEEKS TO RECOVER FORMER SUBMERGED LANDS?

Indianapolis, Ind., July 13. The state is about to bring proceedings to recover possession of from (5,000 to 10,000 acres of land occupied by settlers sTbng the Kankakee River and in the lake regions of the state. Suit is to be brought soon by Auditor Billheim-, er, who will be represented by At-’ torney-general Bingham. “This land we want to get possession of,” said the State Auditor, “rightfully belongs to the state. It was once swamp land, and by an act of Congress many years ago, it was given to the State of Indiana, Years ago, in making a survey of the swamp land in Northern Indiana, the men doing the work were able to survey only parts of sections, the greater part being under water. It is said that in some instances settlers who purchased 20 <jr 30 acres of dry land out of a section 10 or 15 years ago have since come into possession of a whole half section or more of good land as a result of the system of drainage that has been in operation in Northern Indiana.”