Stephen Johnson Field

“ It is sufficient if from them all, taken together with the pleadings, we can see enough upon a fair construction to justify the judgment of the court, not withstanding their want of precision and the occasional intermixture of matters of fact and conclusions of law. ”

“ As to the findings, it is true they are not drawn with skill or precision; they are loose and somewhat confused. Facts and conclusions of law are sometimes mingled together contrary to the dirction of the statute, creating the impression that the findings were prepared under the pressure of other duties, and did not receive the necessary care and attention. But findings are not to be construed with the strictness of special pleadings. ”

“ In 1873 the plaintiffs, and the parties through whom they derive their title, discovered a vein or lode on unoccupied land of the United States, which they called the 'Highland Boy Lode.' During the year they made an ineffectual attempt to locate it, but it is found that the location 'was perfected, made good, and marked on the surface in 1874 and a record thereof made.' Since then they have been continuously in the possession of it, working and developing it, and have expended upon it in labor and money several thousand dollars. ”