United States v. Iron Silver Mining Co.’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

44 federal appellate · 30 district · 47 state decisions

Most-quoted passages

The sentences later courts lift from this opinion, ranked by how many decisions quote each — the parts of the opinion doing the work. These counts are smaller than the citation total above because most of the 175 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. ““We take the general doctrine to be that when, In a court of equity, it is proposed to set aside, to annul, or to correct a written instrument for fraud or mistake in the execution of the instrument itself, the testimony on which this is done must be clear, unequivocal, and convincing, and that it cannot be •done upon a bare preponderance of evidence which leaves the issue in doubt. If the proposition * * * is sound in regard to the ordinary contracts of private individuals, how much more should it be observed where the attempt is to annul the grants, the patents, and other solemn evidences of title emanating from the government of the United States under its official seal. In this class of cases * * * the ci'foxt to set them [patents] aside, to annul them, or to correct mistakes in them, should only he successful when the allegations on which this is attempted are clearly stated, and fully sustained by proof. ~ * ;s It should be well understood that only that class of evidence which commands respect, and that amount of it which produces conviction, shall make such an attempt successful.””

   3 later decisions quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. United States v. American Bell Telephone Co. · Montana Cent. Ry. Co. v. Migeon

2. “It is not enough that there may have been some indications by outcroppings on the surface, of the existence of lodes or veins of rock in place bearing gold or silver or other metal, to justify their designation as `known' veins or lodes. To meet that designation the lodes or veins must be clearly ascertained, and be of such extent as to render the land more valuable on that account, and justify their exploitation.”

   3 later decisions quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. Iron Silver Mining Co. v. Mike & Starr Gold & Silver Mining Co. · Montana Cent. Ry. Co. v. Migeon

3. ““By the term ‘placer claim,’ as here used, is meant ground within defined boundaries which contains mineral in its earth, sand, or gravel, ground that includes valuable deposits not in place; that is, not fixed in rock, but which are in a loose state, and may in most cases be collected by washing or amalgamation without milling. By ‘veins or lodes,’ as here used, are meant lines or aggregations of metal imbedded in quartz or other rock in place.””

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. Duffield v. San Francisco Chemical Co. · Grand Central Min. Co. v. Mammoth Min. Co.