United States v. Brighton Ranch Co.

25 F. 465, 1885 U.S. App. LEXIS 2272

• Court: United States Circuit Court
• Decided: November 16, 1885
• Status: Published

Opinion

Miller, Justice,

I am of opinion that the United States is entitled to its injunction mandatory as to so much of the fence complained of as exists, and prohibitory as to building any future fences, so far as either of them comes within the following principles: (1) There exists no right in the defendants to build any fence on the lands of the United States. (2) All lands are for this purpose lands of the United States so long as the legal title remains in the United States. (3) It is the right of the United States and its duty to protect all such lands from this misuse in cases where there have been any kind of entries, whether of pre-emption, homestead, or private entry, though the purchase money be paid, so long as the legal title remains in the United Stales; except where these latter parties build their own fences, or give express license to others to do it. In these cases it holds the title in trust, and can maintain this bill to remove the fence or prevent its erection. A decree should be entered based on these principles.