The court case of the People vs Henry Cool Et All

 

The court case of the People vs Henry Cool Et All 

 

In 1885, the Forest Commission was established to protect land in the Catskill and Adirondack mountains. This commission raised a case against Stratford Resident Henry Cool for trespassing and cutting down trees in a lot in Jerseyfield. The trial, held on October 17th,1887, addressed issues related to tax assessment, property occupancy and the state takeover due to nonpayment of taxes. Mr. Cool, who did not own the property, claimed he had been given permission to cut trees.

 

Through the case it was found that the taxes had not been paid on the property for 3 years and the state took over the property. At that time notice was not required to advise that the state in fact now owned the property.

 

Cool and his associates was charged with cutting down 226 trees at $50.00 per tree for a total of $6,250. A high price even in today’s standards.

 

In a further (pictured) article on November 15, 1887 it was advised that it was an incorrect statement that Mr Cool along with Henry Jones and Samuel Webster had stolen timber. They had in fact bought and paid for the timber from the party who had the deed.