Upper Peninsula Settlers Made Happy

The acf.on of U. S. Land Commissioner llormann in s.'nding back to the Mnrquette land office the contest bctvvcen the Michigan Land and Iron Co. and tho settlers will cause an open eourt contest for 50,000 acres of land and may jeopardizo the title to ncarly 10 times that mach. The land claimed by tbs Michigan Land and Iron Co. is the old Marq-.iette, Houghton & Ontonagon railroad grant which was g-ivun to aid the construction of a line from Marquette to Ontonagon back in 1851. It consists of 4G0.000 acres. Since to the new Corporation its title has been in dispute and settlers have squatted on 50,000 acres of the best hornesteads. The corapany tried to onst thcm through the land office at Marquette, but it was referred to Washington. Iloke Sraith, seeretary of the interior uüder Cleveland, decided against the settlers, but non tho present administration returns the matter to the Marquette land office and requires all the settlers to be notified and the company will have to prove in court that it comes under the railroad grant confirmatory act passed in 18S7. The sottlers claim it win be impossible foi' the compauy to do this and are already ïejoicing in their victory.