CoNSEBVATION COMMISSION 71 



death of David C. Wood, lost the valued services of our Chief 

 Land Surveyor. Mr. Wood was, for nearly forty years, engaged 

 in surveying Adirondack lands. He was, during his earlier years, 

 employed by private land owners, but for nearly twenty years had 

 devoted the major portion of his time to the State. His death, 

 which occurred at his home in Herkimer, 1ST. Y., September 17th, 

 leaves a place impossible to fill. During those long years of hard 

 work he acquired an extended knowledge of land grants, history 

 of surveys, and methods of old surveyors; a knowledge of where 

 thousands of monuments were located and ability to find them, 

 and a perseverance in relocating old lines which created a high 

 standard of work. These facts, coupled with energy, common 

 sense and absolute honesty won for him an enviable reputation as 

 a surveyor. It was his pride to find the " old blazes " and prove 

 fully the correctness of his work. He has long been recognized 

 as the best authority on location of forest land lines in this region. 

 The monuments which he has left inscribed on trees and posts 

 will long remain in the forests where he devoted most of his life. 

 His work is an inspiration to others as it indicates how success 

 can be achieved through industry and honesty. His memory will 

 be cherished by his associates, and his valued services greatlv 

 missed. 



Titles 

 The fact that various portions of the Forest Preserve have been 

 acquired by several thousand different chains of title gives a gen- 

 eral idea of the extensive task involved in completing these records. 

 Approximately one half of the State's titles were derived from 

 tax sales. In such cases a new chain of title begins. We are en- 

 deavoring to get a complete set of tax searches and all other facts 

 in connection with such titles. In case land was purchased an 

 " abstract " was furnished when the sale was made. These papers 

 are all being carefully indexed and made useful. 



Litigation 

 During the year many important questions affecting land titles 

 have been carefully considered. In 1897 the State purchased 



