Descriptive Summary and Abstract
Cushing Memorial Library
College Station, TX 77843-5000
Santa Rosa Ranch
Inventory of The Santa Rosa Ranch Papers,
1890-1910
1.2 linear feet
The Santa Rosa Ranch Papers (1890-1910) consist chiefly of correspondence, legal documents, a corporate minute book, and handwritten notes recording the litigation connected with ownership of a large tract of land (89,000 acres) in Hidalgo country known as the "Big Santa Rosa Pasture." Actual litigation took place from 1903 through 1910.
Individuals involved in the case were: Dillard Rucker Fant and his wife, Lucy Fant; Daniel J. Sullivan; J. C. Sullivan; James V. Upson; Wiliam R. Elliott; Conrad A. Goeth; James Webb; J. M. Chittim; Archie Parr; Kate V. Elliott; G. G. Clifford; A. E. Chavez; J. A. Galligher; W. M. Sanford; Fred Kelly; F. A. McGown; F. W. Church; H. R. Wood; F. Groos and his wife, Hulda Groos. Legal counsel involved in the proceedings were: James E. Webb and Conrad A. Goeth of Webb and Goeth, F. A. McGown of Denman, Franklin & McGown, and R. L. Ball, all based in San Antonio, Texas. At the onset of the difficulties, Dillard Rucker Fant, a pioneer Texas rancher credited with extending the Chisholm Trail to Corpus Christi, Tex., had leased the Big Santa Rosa Pasture to the cattle-raising partnership of Chittim and Parr. J. M. Chittim was a large rancher in South Texas and Archie Parr, a Texas State Senator. Based on the large annual rent monies Fant had expected to collect from Chittim and Parr, he then also borrowed money from D. Sullivan of D. Sullivan and Company Bankers, and, using the same collateral, borrowed more money from the competing F. Groos and Company Bankers.
When Chittim and Parr defaulted on their rent payment for the Big Santa Rosa Pasture to Fant, Fant was then forced to default on his own payments to both banking organizations from whom he had borrowed funds. The bankers, in return, sued and foreclosed on the Big Santa Rosa Pasture.
Through the Santa Rosa Ranch Papers extensive set of legal documents, attorneys' memoranda, telegrams, letters, and financial disclosures, a most absorbing story of Texas land politics unfolds.
Dykes MSS 00134
English.
Biographical Note
The Santa Rosa Ranch Papers (1890-1910) take the researcher into a time in Texas history when acres of land, head of cattle, and sums of money were counted in minimum denominations of thousands. Furthermore, it was a time when fortunes were made, lost and regained in often very short spans of time by men and women whose formidable legacies remain quite visible in the twenty-first century.
The story of the Santa Rosa Ranch begins with a pioneering trail-driver named Dillard Rucker Fant, born 27 July 1842, in South Carolina, son of W. N. Fant and Mary Burriss Fant. When D. R. Fant was 11 years old, his family moved to Goliad, Texas where his father set up a merchant enterprise and eventually served as county judge.
D. R. Fant began his career freighting with ox teams in South Texas and, during the Civil War, enlisted in Col. George Washington Carver's 21st Texas Cavalry, seeing duty in Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana, and eventually achieving the rank of orderly sergeant. After the war Colonel
Fant returned to Goliad, where he married Lucy A. Hodges on 15 October 1865, and became a farmer and rancher.
Fant soon began driving cattle to Rockport, Texas and selling them to packing houses (1867-1869). Learning that some North Texas cattlemen drove small herds of cattle through Indian Territory to Kansas at good profit, Fant decided in 1869 to redouble the effort by taking a large herd from Southwest Texas to Kansas. So successful was this adventure, that others eagerly followed Fant's lead.
In 1874, Fant began improving his own cattle stock with Durham and Hereford breeds. For fourteen years he held government contracts to supply thousands of beeves to various military posts and agencies in Dakota and Indian Territory, and wintered herds on pastures in Nebraska, Wyoming, and Idaho. During the fifteen years he was in business, Fant herded between 175,000 and 200,000 cattle up the trail, reportedly never losing more than three percent.
So extensive were D. R. Fant's operations that he had several tremendous herds on the trail in a single season. In 1884, he employed 200 cowboys to drive one of the largest herds on record—42,000 cattle, requiring 1,200 saddle horses to keep the cowboys in mounts—to Kansas, Nebraska, and Wyoming, selling them for almost $1 million. D. R. Fant was still driving cattle as late as 1889, long after rail service has been extended northward from the Texas interior.
Fant is credited with extending the Chisholm Trail to Corpus Christi, Tex. and financing the construction of Texas public schools and railroads. By the 1890s he was regarded as one of the barons of the Texas cattle industry, and his extensive ranch holdings totaled more than 700,000 acres, including the 225,000 acre Santa Rosa Ranch in Hidalgo county.
D. R. Fant died 15 January 1908 and his widow, Lucy Fant, died soon afterwards in March 1909. The Fants are buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Goliad, Texas.
Scope and Content Note
The Santa Rosa Ranch Papers (1890-1910) consist chiefly of correspondence, legal documents, a corporate minute book, and handwritten notes recording the litigation connected with ownership of a large tract of land (89,000 acres) in Hidalgo country known as the Big Santa Rosa Pasture. Actual litigation took place from 1903 through 1910.
Individuals involved in the case were: Dillard Rucker Fant and his wife, Lucy Fant; Daniel J. Sullivan; J. C. Sullivan; James V. Upson; Wiliam R. Elliott; Conrad A. Goeth; James Webb; J. M. Chittim; Archie Parr; Kate V. Elliott; G. G. Clifford; A. E. Chavez; J. A. Galligher; W. M. Sanford; Fred Kelly; F. A. McGown; F. W. Church; H. R. Wood; F. Groos and his wife, Hulda Groos. Legal counsel involved in the proceedings were: James E. Webb and Conrad A. Goeth of Webb and Goeth, F. A. McGown of Denman, Franklin & McGown, and R. L. Ball, all based in San Antonio, Texas.
At the onset of the difficulties, D. R. Fant had leased the Big Santa Rosa Pasture to the cattle-raising partnership of Chittim and Parr. J. M. Chittim was a large rancher in South Texas and Archie Parr, was a State Senator popularly known as the Duke of Duval. Based on the large annual rent monies Fant had expected to collect from Chittim and Parr, he then also borrowed money from D. Sullivan of D. Sullivan and Company Bankers (founders and owners of the large South Texas
Mariposa Ranch) and, using the same collateral, borrowed more money from the competing F. Groos and Company Bankers (later a founder of Wells Fargo Bank).
When, it appears, that Chittim and Parr defaulted on their rent payment for the Big Santa Rosa Pasture to Fant, Fant was then forced to default on his own payments to both banking organizations from whom he had borrowed funds. The bankers, in return, sued and foreclosed on the Big Santa Rosa Pasture.
Through the Santa Rosa Ranch Papers extensive set of legal documents, attorneys' memoranda, telegrams, letters, and financial disclosures, a most absorbing story of Texas land politics unfolds.
The Santa Rosa Ranch Papers (1890-1910) are arranged into five series, mainly chronologically, to reflect the various stages in the progress of establishing the Big Santa Rosa Pasture as the Santa Rosa Ranch property, and the various legal disputes including the several defaults and foreclosure, and subsequent lawsuits concerning the property which followed.
Notable among the papers is the Santa Rosa Ranch Minute Book, a ledger volume with handwritten entries detailing the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and minutes of the first stockholders' meeting of the Santa Rosa Ranch Company. These entries are dated 7 July 1904, 30 September 1904, and 30 September 1905. Also present is a manuscript plat map in black and red ink on light blue linen, of the 1905 Maria Rodriguez survey, which has been encapsulated and is housed separately in a Map Case Drawer.
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Bibliography
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Cook, John R.
The Border and the Buffalo: An Untold Story of the Southwest Plains. New York: Citadel Press. 1967.
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Cox, James. Historical and Biographical Record of the Cattle Industry. St. Louis: Woodward and Tiernan Printing, 1894.
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Dillard R. Fant.
Pioneer. September 1922.
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Goeth, Conrad A. Papers. Manuscript Collection at the Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library.http://hotx.com/drtl/public_html/register.html. 27 November 2002.
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Hobart, Huson. Refugio: A Comprehensive History of Refugio County from Aboriginal Times to 1953. Woodsboro, Texas: Rooke Foundation, 1953.
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Hunter, J. Marvin. Trail Drivers of Texas. San Antonio: Jackson Printing, 1920.
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Mahnken, Robert R. Ogallala - Nebraska's Cowboy Capital.
http://www.rootsweb.com/~nekeith/cowboycapital2.html 2 January 2003.
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Chris Neely and Jeremy Schwartz. Ex-political Boss Archer Parr is dead.
http://www.caller2.com/2000/november/03/today/local_ne/8270.html/ 26 November 2002.
- Oak Hill Cemetery. http://www.interment.net/data/us/tx/goliad/oak_hill.htm/ 27 November 2002.
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Sowa, Carol. Listen to the Quiet … San Antonio Botanical Garden.
http://excursia.com/destinations/USA/TX/sanantonio/stories/ 27 November 2002.
- The Handbook of Texas Online. "Fant, Dillard Rucker; Archer Parr; Normanna, Texas; http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/ 27 November 2002.
Organization of the Papers
This collection is organized into 5 series.
- Series 1. Formation (1890-1903).
- Series 2. Default and Transfers, (1904-1905 and undated).
- Series 3. Litigation, (1904-1909 and undated).
- Series 4. Resolution (1909-1910).
- Series 5. Miscellaneous legal documents and file envelopes (9 April 1908, and undated).
Arrangement of the Papers
This collection is arranged chronologically.
Access
No restrictions.
Usage Restrictions
Copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as
stipulated by United States copyright law.
Online Index Terms
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online
catalog of Cushing Memorial Library. Researchers wishing to find related materials
should search the catalog under these index terms.
Names
Chavez, A.E--Correspondence.
Elliott, Kate V.--Trials, litigation, etc.
Elliott, William R.--Trials, litigation, etc.
Fant, Lucy A.--Trials, litigation, etc.
Fant, Dillard Rucker, 1842-1908--Trials, litigation, etc.
Goeth,
Conrad A. (Conrad Alexander), 1869-1953--Trials, litigation, etc.
Groos, F.--Trials, litigation, etc.
Groos, Hulda--Trials, litigation, etc.
Chittim, J. M.--Trials, litigation, etc.
Chittim, L. C.--Correspondence.
Church, F. W.--Correspondence.
Kelly, Fred.
Lewis, L. Reynolds.
McGown, F. A.--Trials, litigation, etc.
Parr, Archie, 1860 or 61-1942--Trials, litigation, etc.
Rodriguez, Maria.
Sanford, W. M.
Sullivan, Daniel J.--Trials, litigation, etc.
Sullivan, J. C.--Trials, litigation, etc.
Upson, James V.
Webb, James.
Wood, H. R.--Correspondence.
Organizations
Webb and Goeth--Trials, litigation, etc.
37th Texas Judicial District Court.
Santa Rosa Ranch Company--Trials, litigation, etc..
Parker and Owen--Trials, litigation, etc..
F. Groos and Company--Trials, litigation, etc.
Denman, Franklin and McGown--Trials, litigation, etc.
D. Sullivan and Co. (San Antonio, Tex.)--Trials, litigation, etc.
Subjects
Cattle brands--Texas.
Chattel mortgages--Texas.
Law Firms--Records and Correspondence.
Law Firms--Texas--San Antonio.
Lawyers--Records.
Lawyers--Texas--San Antonio .
Litigation.
Real property--Texas--San Antonio.
Places
Goliad (Tex.)
Hidalgo County (Tex.)--Maps.
San Antonio (Tex.)--History--Sources.
Texas, South--History--Sources.
Items Separated
Items Seperated Include:
One oversized manuscript map of the 1905 Maria Rodriguez Survey by Parker and Owen, Surveyors. Map is labeled that it is Survey #35 cutting off 18/25 on the north side of survey. Hand drawn in black and some red ink on light blue, shiny linen sheet measuring approximately 30 x 48 inches. Dated March 1905. Encapsulated and housed in Map Case Drawer CB D-1.
Provenance
Source unknown.
Processing Information
Processed by Liticia J. Salter
in January 2003..
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series 1. Formation, 1890-1903.
From a hand-drawn plat map of the Santa Rosa Ranch to a Sheriff's foreclosure notice, this series yields valuable information on the transition of the property from its original owners as well as its lessees and sets-up the scenario for the later problems to be resolved in the courts. This series is comprised of Chattel mortgages, Warranty Deeds, Promissory notes, Deeds, and a Dissolution of Partnership document.
1/1
Manuscript Map. Of 1905 Maria Rodriguez Survey by Parker and Owen, Surveyors. This map is labeled that it is Survey #35 cutting off 18/25 on the north side of survey. Hand drawn on light blue, shiny linen sheet, approximately 30 x 48 inches. ITEM SEPARATED. Encapsulated and housed separately in Map Case Drawer CB D-1,
March 1905.
1/1
Quit Claim Deed-Joint Acknowledgment. For 219.78 acres in El Paso county originally granted to Maria Rodriguez, sold in tax sale for unpaid taxes owed by W. D. Wright. Sold to Mary E. Howard for $40.00. Handwritten,
29 January 1890.
1/1
Chattel Mortgage. From Chittim and Parr to R. Driscoll on approximately 2,000 head of cattle located on the Santa Rosa Ranch. Handwritten,
18 November 1898.
1/1
Chattel Mortgage. Assigns 2803 head of cattle as collateral for a loan from John C. Sullivan of D. Sullivan and Co. (Bankers) to D. R. Fant. Cattle are located in pastures known as 'Santa Rosa Ranch.' Note to be paid ($30,000.) in gold. Typed form,
2 November 1900.
1/1
Warranty Deed. From William R. Elliott to James V. Upson conveys a 1/3 undivided interest in a large tract of land in El Paso county. Handwritten form,
23 November 1901.
1/1
Warranty Deed. From James V. Upson to C. A. Goeth conveys an undivided 1/3 interest in a large tract of land received previously from William R. Elliott. Typed and handwritten form,
23 November 1901.
1/1
Chattel Mortgage. From Chittim & Parr (J. M. Chittim and A. Parr) to D. Sullivan and W. C. Sullivan. Over 12,500 head of cattle and over 1,000 head of horses and mules as collateral for a loan of $194,837.30 in gold. All stock located on Fant's Santa Rosa pasture and other locations. Typed,
5 June 1902.
1/1
Chattel Mortgage. Chittim & Parr use 3810 head of cattle a collateral for a loan of $64,000.00 in gold from D. Sullivan & Company bankers. Handwritten,
24 July1902.
1/1
Warranty Deed. From Kate (Elliott) Adams, daughter of William Elliott, to C. A. Goeth an undivided 1/3 interest in large tract of land on Rio Grande river,
11 August 1902.
1/1
Dissolution of Partnership. Between J. M. Chittim and A. Parr, a dissolving of business relations with inventory of assets,
8 November 1902.
1/1
Sheriff's Deed and Foreclosure Notice. Notice of seizure of large tract of land (3188 acres) on Rio Grande belonging to the heirs of the estate of William Elliott (Eleanor E. Clifford, Kate V. Elliott, and G. G. Clifford) due to a certain judgment on 16 May 1899.
C. A. Goeth was the successful bidder at $200.00,
10 November 1902.
1/1
Note Payable. $260,000.00 promissory note made by D. R. Fant to D. Sullivan and Company, appears to be secured by three life insurance policies (listed). Typed,
9 February 1903.
Series 2. Default and Transfers, 1904-1905 and undated.
This series of documents paints a picture of the series of events that lead to the succeeding legal conflict. This series is comprised of Pleadings, Foreclosure documents, Chattel documents, letters, telegrams, and, of special interest, a Minute Book documenting a Special Meeting of the Santa Rosa Ranch Company in which important stock transfers occurred.
1/2
Pleading and Assignments of Error. From F. Groos and Company. Apparently F. Groos and Company had taken a lien on rents from Fant's Santa Rosa pasture which were already pledged to D. Sullivan and Company. Chittim & Parr were lessees and have apparently defaulted on rents to D. R. Fant. Typed,
24 February 1904.
1/2
Foreclosure Document. Legal document of foreclosure from D. Sullivan and Company on all D. R. Fant's properties to satisfy the $260,000. debt owed. Foreclosure sale of $00.50 per acre with deficiency being prayed for. Typed, undated.
1/2
Warranty Deed. From William R. Elliott to C. A. Goeth for 640 acres on Rio Grande river. land having been fully described in Judgment rendered in #1752 styled W. R. Elliott et al vs. J. N. Groesbeck et al . . . about Feb. 22 1896… Typed,
23 March 1903.
1/2
Chattel Mortgage. From D. R. Fant to D. Sullivan and Company for approximately 4600 head of cattle located on the Santa Rosa Ranch ––approximately 55,000 acres as collateral for a $48,000. loan. Handwritten,
13 May 1903.
1/2
Ledger Sheet. D. R. Fant account with F. Groos & Co. bankers in San Antonio, Texas. Handwritten,
May-June 1903.
1/2
Partial Satisfaction of Judgment. Form a judgment (formerly Chris Kiel vs. G. G. Clifford) rendered 30 October 1897 by Mary F. Drake against G.G. Clifford, Eleanor E. Clifford, and Dan Lewis. Includes release of lien by C. A. Goeth and settled by I. B. Henyan, attorney of record for Mary R. Drake. Typed,
2 November 1903.
1/2
Permission to Relocate Chattel. Permission for D. Sullivan and Company to J. M. Chittim to move 401 head of cattle from the Santa Rosa Ranch in Hidalgo county to the Gray Ranch in Duval county (Parr's ranch). Handwritten,
28 November 1903.
1/2
Letter (copy). From law firm of Webb & Goeth to County Clerk, Hidalgo county. Requests certified copies of unreleased chattel mortgages given by J. M Chittim form D. Sullivan since 18 May 1899 as well as any other unreleased chattel mortgages by Chittim on any cattle in the Santa Rosa Pasture owned by D. R. Fant. Typed,
4 May 1904.
1/2
Telegram. From A. Chavez, County Clerk
Hidalgo county to law firm of Webb & Goeth. Expresses work in progress on requested papers and date to be sent. Typed,
17 May 1904.
1/2
Telegram. From law firm of Webb & Goeth to County Clerk of Hidalgo county. Requests rush service on papers requested. Handwritten,
17 May 1904.
1/2
Letter. From A.E. Chavez, County Clerk, Hidalgo county to Messres. Webb & Goeth. Apparently accompanied documents requested and informs of trust sale of Santa Rosa lands, etc. to D. Sullivan and Company. Typed,
18 May 1904.
1/2
Invoice. From A. E. Chavez to Webb & Goeth for $14.65 for certified copies of four chattel notes from J. M. Chittim. Handwritten,
19 May 1904.
1/2
Telegram. To Webb & Goeth from A. E. Chavez advising of documents having been sent on 19th. Typed,
Undated.
1/2
Telegram. From Webb & Goeth to A. E. Chavez inquiring of papers' whereabouts. Handwritten,
24 May 1904.
1/2
Notice to Creditors of Receivership. F. A. McGown appointed as receiver for the estate of J. M. Chittim, files and inventory of assets and liabilities apparently pursuant to bankruptcy. Typed,
25 July 1904.
1/3
Santa Rosa Ranch minutes book. Hard-bound ledger book detailing Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and minutes of first stockholders' meeting of the Santa Rosa Ranch Company. Incorporated by J. A. Gallagher, W. M. Sanford, and Fred Kelly. Notarized by Peter O'Brien and filed with Secretary of State, J. R. Curl. Corporate seal I embossed and described. First meeting held in offices of J. C. Sullivan in San Antonio. Minutes of first meeting show shareholder receive a proposal from Mr. D. Sullivan
offering to transfer and assign to the company certain property as set forth in said proposal in exchange for the entire capital stock of the company to be issued to his order, full-paid and non-assessible. Stockholder agreed to accept 220,000 acres in exchange for the stock with a said value of $50,000. After which, the initial board of directors of Gallagher, Sanford, and Kelly resigned. In another meeting, D. Sullivan then leases the land to the corporation for ten cents per acre. John Cotter Sullivan appears to have been attorney of record. Enclosed within the ledger book are also various other handwritten notes and a typed letter declining an offer of $100,000. for the iron properties of the Grand Republica Mines of Mexico. Also included is a typed version of the minutes of the special meeting. Handwritten,
7 July 1904,
30 September 1904,
30 September 1905.
Series 3. Litigation, 1904-1909 and undated.
This series is chiefly comprised of court-related documents that depict the intense conflict as well as surprise reversals and new alliances. The documents included in this series are chiefly legal instruments such as suits, answers, pleadings, depositions, transcripts, letters, judgments, opinions, briefs, abstracts, land title transfers, and receipts.
1/4
Answer to suit brought by F. Groos & Company. D. Sullivan and W. C. Sullivan address and counter accusations brought by F. Groos & Company concerning the indebtedness of D. R. Fant. Typed,
13 August 1904.
1/4
Letter. From Floyd McGown (law firm of Denman, Franklin, and McGown of San Antonio) to Messrs. Webb and Goeth in reference to Sullivan vs. Chittim. Notification that he is withholding $15,000.00 pending a judge's opinion or indemnification of Chittim, .
14 September 1904.
1/4
Memorandum. From A.E. Chavez, County and District Clerk of Hidalgo County. Apparently was attached to a certified copy of Trustee's Deed from J. C. Sullivan Trustee to D. Sullivan and Co. Typed,
7 October 1904.
1/4
Summons. To D. Sullivan & Company to answer petition brought by F. Groos & Company as well as J. M. Chittim, A. Parr, and D. R. Fant. Form filled-out by hand,
3 October 1904.
1/4
Waiver of service. Floyd McGown, receiver of J. M. Chittim, notifies court he will appear in F. Groos hearing,
October 1904.
1/4
First Amended Original Answer of Defendents: D. Sullivan & Company. An amended answer file to court. Typed,
28 November 1904.
1/4
Letter. From J. B. Wenmohs to Dear Conrad. Brief letter that apparently accompanied a check. Handwritten,
6 December 1904.
1/4
Memorandum. From H. R. Wood to C. A. Goeth. Expresses and interest in buying 3,188 acres owned by Goeth. Typed with handwritten annotations,
12 December 1904.
1/4
Show Cause Legal Notice. From Floyd McGown to Dear Sir. Letter/ Notice advises of an immediate hearing authorizing acceptance of a monetary offer from D. Sullivan for 12,300 acres of land. Typed,
12 December 1904.
1/4
Telegram. From H. R. Wood to C. A. Goeth requesting 30-day option on all land for $2.50 per acre pending examination. Typed with handwritten annotations,
23 December 1904.
1/4
Letter. From H. R. Wood to C. A. Goeth. Questions title and abstract availability. Typed,
29 December 1904.
1/4
Letter. From H. R. Wood to C. A. Goeth. Wood reveals himself as an agent for someone and addresses the undesirability of some of the land, thus a lower offer. Typed,
30 December 1904
1/4
Complaint. Made by A. Parr against J. M. Chittim, F. Groos & Company, D. R. Fant, and D. Sullivan & Company. Former partner of Chittim brings suit against all concerned with the Santa Rosa Ranch,
December 1904.
1/4
Interrogatories. To D. R. Fant concerning the Santa Rosa Ranch submitted to the court by Webb & Goeth, attorneys for F. Groos & Company. 4 copies of document. Typed,
28 December 1904.
1/4
Answer to Interrogatories/Deposition Transcript. From H. Brendel, a former cashier in the bank of D. Sullivan & Company, answers to court concerning the bank's business relationship and real estate transactions with D. R. Fant. Typed,
[1905?]
1/4
Appeal from F. Groos & Company. Lengthy explanation of situation from viewpoint of F. Groos & Company. Judge reverses previous decision. Typed,
December 1904.
1/4
Telegram. From H. R. Wood to C. A. Goeth. Requests return wire regarding price of land. Typed,
9 January 1905.
1/4
Telegram. From C. A. Goeth to H. R. Wood. Declines offer for land. Typed,
10 January 1905
1/4
Memorandum. From H. R. Wood to C. A. Goeth. Replies that he has contract of sale prepared for portion of the land to be purchased by Henry Pfaff for $3.00 per acre. Contract attached. Typed,
16 January 1905.
1/4
Memorandum. From H. R. Wood to C. A. Goeth. Questions aspects of land title. Typed,
8 February 1905.
1/4
Title Clearance. For 3188 acres of land in El Paso County. Prepared by Edwards & Edwards, (Peyton F. Edwards and Peyton J. Edwards) Attorneys at law,
7 February 1905.
1/4
Title transfer. From W. H. Maverick, executor of the estate of Mary A. Maverick, to Mary A. Howard and C. A. Goeth. Form filled-in by hand,
13 December 1905.
1/4
Letter. From Edwards & Edwards (on letterhead of H. R. Wood Real Estate) to Henry Pfaff. Appears to be a clarification of title opinion expressed previously. Typed,
22 February 1905.
1/5
Letter. From H. R. Wood to C. A. Goeth. Indicates a need for an abstract for the land to be furnished by the seller. Typed,
22 February 1905.
1/5
Memorandum. From H. R. Wood to C. A. Goeth. Apparently accompanied a copy of the Edwards & Edwards title opinion. Typed,
23 February 1905.
1/5
Telegram. From H. R. Wood to C. A. Goeth. States that land measurement is 920 acres. Handwritten annotations, apparently by Goeth, indicate this is not acceptable. Handwritten,
4 March 1905.
1/5
Memorandum. From J. C. Sullivan (on Webb & Goeth letterhead). States that Deed of Confirmation has been received from D. R. Fant. Handwritten,
8 March 1905.
1/5
Telegram. From H. R. Wood to C. A. Goeth. Indicates a need for communication on the land deal. Typed,
9 March 1905.
1/5
Letter. From H. R. Wood to C. A. Goeth. Indicates difficulty with buying the entire 3188 acres because of squatter claims on the land and offers a proposition from the potential buyer. Typed,
10 March 1905.
1/5
Letter. From H. R. Wood to C. A. Goeth. Indicates the buyer is resistant to a counter offer made, apparently, by Goeth. Typed,
21 March 1905.
1/5
Memorandum. From H. R. Wood to C. A. Goeth. Confirms a draft on Goeth's account for $194. for Surveyors and Abstract fees. Typed,
21 March 1905
1/5
Letter. From L. C. Chittim to Mr. Webb, asks for legal representation in an immediate divorce from his wife from whom he has been separated since 1891. Accuses her of having an ingovernable temper…grabbing a butcher knife and trying to kill me…a morphine fiend…chewed tobacco making her breath bad . . . and jealous. Handwritten,
30 April 1905.
1/5
Telegram. From J. E. Webb to L. C. Chittim. Indicates impossibility of divorce before September. Handwritten,
3 May 1905.
1/5
Telegram. System message from Tecumseh, OK that a message from Webb to Chittim was undelivered, party not known. Typed,
6 May 1905.
1/5
Telegram. System message from Tecumseh, OK that a message from Webb to Chittim was still undelivered, no cattleman in town that name. Typed,
7 May 1905.
1/5
Quit Claim Deed. From Kate Adams
formerly wife of E. F. Adams, and formerly Elliott to C. A. Goeth. Form filled-in by hand,
12 May 1905.
1/5
Letter. From F. W. Church (on letterhead for J.M. Chittim, Stock Raiser and Dealer) to L. C. Chittim, Esq. Letter explains why divorce was stalled because of Webb being unable to contact him in Tecumseh, OK. Explains that divorce will take until at least December but that Webb
can get it as quick as anyone. Postscript describes good condition of land, cattle and crops. Typed,
31 May 1905.
1/5
Letter. From L. C. Chittim to Mr. Webb. Clarifies mailing address and expresses alarm in delay of divorce. Apparently the divorce would impact the outcome of a suit they are bringing forth for September. Handwritten with envelope,
3 June 1905.
1/5
Letter. From L. C. Chittim to Mr. Webb. Asks if the firm has received money sent previously. Handwritten with envelope,
15 June 1905.
1/5
Letter. From L. C. Chittim to Mr. Webb. Written in response to having received a letter and notifies of when he will be in San Antonio. Handwritten,
19 June 1905.
1/5
Memorandum. From F. W. Church to J. E. Webb. Expresses that L. C. Chittim has a new address of Normanna, TX. Typed with envelope,
25 August 1905.
1/5
Petitition to Dissolve Marriage. Between L.C. Chittim and Mary Ann Chittim (a non-resident of Texas) filed by L. C. Chittim. Typed,
31 August 1905.
1/5
Letter. From L. C. Chittim to Webb & Goeth (written on letterhead from Bokchito Commercial Club) indicates that the wife got the divorce done by Albany, MO attorneys and that nothing more need be done by Webb & Goeth. Handwritten with envelope,
25 September 1905.
1/5
Reciept. From newspaper, Commercial Recorder of San Antonio, shows $6.00 paid for citation in case of Chittim vs. Chittim. Form filled-in by hand,
11 October 1905.
1/5
Letter. From Floyd McGown to J. E. Webb. Amendment to D. Sullivan and Company answer. Typed,
3 March 1906.
1/5
Inventory. Signed by J. E. Webb, a list of J. C. Sullivan Deed of Trust instruments in order by date executed. Typed,
19 March 1906.
1/5
Court Transcript. Interrogatories in case of F. Groos & Company vs. Chittim and Parr et al. 33 pages typed,
20 March 1906.
1/5
Court Transcript. In case of F. Groos & Company vs. Chittim and Parr et al. Lengthy testimony and history of Santa Rosa Ranch. 387 pages typed,
20 March 1906.
1/5
Court Transcript of Judgment with Damages. In case of F. Groos & Company vs. Chittim and Par et al. Typed,
20 March 1906.
1/5
Court Transcript. Copy of item 3/5. Typed,
20 March 1906.
1/5
Receipt. Acknowledges receipt of 6 documents from Webb & Goeth concerning D. R. Fant's land. L. Reynolds Lewis, stenographer for 37th Judicial District signed. Handwritten,
2 April 1906.
1/6
Testimony of D. R. Fant. Lengthy 300+ page transcript giving the history of the Santa Rosa Ranch,
25 May 1906.
2/1
Appellants' Brief. Six soft-bound copies printed,
16 August 1906.
2/2
Abstracts of Judgment. In case of F. Groos vs. Chittim and Parr et al appear to have been filed in seven counties,
19 September 1906-22 October 1906.
2/3
Appellees' Brief. Five soft-bound copies printed.
[October 1906?]
2/4
Appeal. J. M. Chittim et al vs. F. Groos & Company. Typed,
6 March 1907.
2/4
Summons. Webb & Goeth from Denman, Franklin & McGown. Form,
20 March 1907.
2/4
Formal Appeal. J. M. Chittim et al vs. F. Groos & Company for rehearing of case. Justice's handwritten opinion on reverse side of document. Typed and handwritten,
11 March 1907.
2/4
Formal Appeal. Copy of item in Box/Folder 3/12,
20 March 1907.
2/4
Judgment. D. R. Fant & Lucie A. Fant vs. D. Sullivan et al. Contains extensive inventory of assets, including land. Typed,
9 March 1907.
2/5
Receipt. Acknowledgment from J.C. Sullivan of having received two original Deeds of D. R. Fant's from J. E. Webb. Typed,
19 April 1907.
2/5
Exceptions to Judgment and Decree. D. R. Fant & Lucie A. Fant vs. D. Sullivan et al. Typed,
13 May 1907.
2/5
Transcript of Testimony of D. Sullivan. Typed with one handwritten note of explanation,
31 May 1907.
2/5
Appelants' Replication to Motion for Rehearing by J. M. Chittim. Plus additional copy of same. Typed,
26 March 1907.
2/5
Memorandum. from A. Parr to Webb & Goeth law firm. Typed,
28 March 1907
2/5
Amendment (Draft). Assignment of Lucie A. Fant as Independent executrix of estate of D. R. Fant and release of liability, [1909?]
2/5
Appellees' Brief : F. Groos & Company . Soft-bound printed copy of the case of Lucie A. Fant vs. D. Sullivan & Company,
3 February 1909.
2/5
Receipt. Handwritten memorandum from R. L. Ball re: F. Groos & Company vs. Chittim & Parr et al. Acknowledges receipt of six documents from Webb & Goeth,
19 February 1909.
2/5
Receipt. Handwritten memorandumof receipt of 32 documents by L. Reynolds Lewis, stenographer for 37th Judicial District,
3 March 1909.
2/5
Appeal. From F. Groos & Company. Typed with handwritten corrections,
28 September 1909.
2/5
Verdict and Judgment. In the case of F. Groos & Company vs. Lucie A. Fant and D. Sullivan & Company. Typed,
[1909?]
2/5
Memorandum. By R. L. Ball, a listing of six documents that may have been attached previously. Handwritten,
19 February 1909.
2/5
Abstract of Judgment. An apparent reversal shows release of liens by F. Groos & Company to D. R. Fant. Typed,
5 June 1909.
2/5
Appeal. By J.M. Chittim et al. Typed,
16 July 1909.
2/5
Memorandum. From A.E. Chavez, County Clerk, Hidalgo County to Webb & Goeth. Response to apparent inquiry. Typed,
27 July 1909.
2/5
Memorandum. From A.E. Chavez in apparent response to an inquiry from Webb & Goeth. Typed,
24 August 1909.
2/5
Supplemental Answer by way of Replication. In the case of F. Groos & Company vs. Chittim & Parr. Answer by D. Sullivan and W. C. Sullivan to Lucy A. Fant individually and as independent executrix for D. R. Fant. Typed, undated.
2/5
Judgment. Two copies of fragment. Show to be against J. M. Chittim and in favor of F. Groos & Company, further that D. Sullivan & Company will by satisfied by the estate of D. R. Fant and dismisses suit against Lucy Fant individually. Typed, undated.
2/5
Petition. Three-page fragment appears to show D. Sullivan & Company claiming ownership of all D. R. Fant estate assets. Typed, undated.
2/5
Fragment. Appears to be a claim on D. R. Fant. Typed, undated.
2/5
Fragment. Appears to be a draft listing of lands belonging to D. R. Fant and making up a portion of the Santa Rosa Ranch. Typed with handwritten annotations,
undated.
Series 4. Resolution, 1909-1910
This series is made of three documents that seem to point to what the resolution and outcome was in D. R. Fant's Santa Rosa Ranch litigation.
2/6
Brief of Appellant, Lucie A. Fant vs. D. Sullivan & Company. Soft-bound, printed, 48 pages,
[1909?]
2/6
Reply. From D. Sullivan & Company to brief of Lucie A. Fant. Soft-bound, printed, 20 pages,
[1909?]
2/6
Conclusions of Fact. In case of Lucie A. Fant vs. D. Sullivan & Company. Typed.
11 January 1910.
Series 5. Miscellaneous legal documents and file envelopes, 9 April 1908 and undated
With the exception of one or two documents, these appear to be the handwritten research notes of legal counsel; most appear probably to be in the handwriting of attorney James Webb. The file envelopes appears to have contained documents used as evidence in legal actions.
3/1
24 handwritten (one typed) documents, comprising approximately 100 pages, that appear to be notes made by counsel in research efforts. Many of these documents are fragments, torn pages, notepad paper, note-cards, or even written on the back of an apparent witness statement to an unrelated murder. Most documents are written in pencil and cite cases setting precedence (authorities) in certain legal questions arising from the ongoing litigation in the Santa Rosa Ranch case. Most documents are either written on Webb & Goeth paper or appear to inform their stance in the case,
Undated.
3/2
Two empty cardboard document file envelopes, one labeled in blue pencil on back Chittim vs. Chittim, the other inscribed in pencil on top edge with Groos & Co. V. Chittim & Parr. Some notes very faint,
Undated.
3/3
One empty cardboard document file envelope labeled in pencil with several notations, most notably Webb and Goeth on the front, and Evidence on the back, with Groos & Company vs. Chittim & Parr on the bottom edge. Also a note stating Transfer from Fant to Groos sent to Neuces & Co. for Rec. 4/9/08,
9 April 1908.