Henry M. Newhall (1825-1882)
Case No. 4706
H.M. Newhall, Plaintiff
vs.
D.W. Alexander, Executor of the last will and testament of Adam Malezewski, deceased, A.J. Kraszynski, George R. Dille, John Hunsicker, Elzbieta Zazlawski, D.W. Alexander, Trustee, D.W. Alexander, Marta Alexander, Josefa Murat, Andria Murat, last two being daughters of Francisvek Murat, Defendants
The large plot of land containing Lyon's Station (about 382 acres) was purchased by Adam Malezewski from the Philadelphia and California Petroleum Company on December 1, 1871. This was recorded in Book 18 of Deeds, pages 444 et seq, in the Los Angeles County Recorder's Office.
On February 19, 1874, Malezewski borrowed $2000 from brothers Elijah H. Workman and William H. Workman. The promissary note was secured by a mortgage on Malezewski's land. It was recorded in Book 11 of Mortgages, pages 465 et seq., in the Los Angeles County Recorder's Office. On May 25, 1875, the note and mortgage was assigned to Temple & Workman.
On January 28, 1876, Adam Malezewski committed suicide at Lyon's Station. Malezewski was about 67 years old. He had a will and it went into probate court. The executor of the will was D. W. Alexander. While still in probate court, the note and mortgage was purchased from George E. Long, an assignee of the failed Temple & Workman Bank (which closed its doors on January 13,1876) by Henry M. Newhall on September 3, 1878.
On September 24, 1878, Newhall filed this lawsuit in the District Court of the 17th Judicial District of California for Los Angeles County. He wanted the court to order the sale of the property he had the mortgage for. District Court Judge Ygnacio Sepulveda agreed and the sale at public auction was so ordered. At the auction, held on August 13, 1879, Newhall bought the land himself.
Existing Case Documents:
Complaint - Filed September 24, 1878
Summons - Printed on October 15 thru December 15, 1878 in Los Angeles Daily Express
Judgement of Court - Filed May 26, 1879
Newspaper story publishing sale of property in Los Angeles Evening Express for three weeks before sale
Sheriff's report - Property sold to Henry M. Newhall - August 13, 1879