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business by selling it to the United States. President Jefferson bought what was to be the Orono Public Golf Course for less than four cents an acre -- a total of less than two dollars! Minnesota was still a territory in 1856 when Mr. Edward F. Walsh applied for a patent covering considerable more land than that used by the golf course. The patent was granted to him in 1859 when the State of Minnesota was less than two years old. It is interesting to note that the document conveying the land to Mr. Walsh was personally signed by president James Buchanan. Mr. Spencer Smith, grandson of the original owner who still lives on a part of that property, has that original document in his possession. The late Frank Walsh, son of Edward F. Walsh, decided to sell the property, but failing to find a buyer for the entire tract decided to plat the acreage into lots. This was done and the plat was dated March 14, 1924, a rather significant date as we shall note later. Streets and avenues were platted both sides of the Orono Orchards Road. At rus point the story of the golt cot.rse becomes more closely interwoven with land and ownership, so the latter part of the narrative will deal more fully with the details of ownership. At this point is _s well to note that all lots and street:. originally platted south and west of the Orono Orchards road were taken out of plat in February 1930. Orono Golf Course Incorporated was formed in April 1955 with all stock wholly owned by the Feser family. Insofar as the property abstract was long and complicated, the Corporation applied for and received a Torrens Title Certificate. Acting upon a mandate expressed by the voters of the Village in the govember 1967 election, the council exercised its option to purchase the property. The final payment and acquisition of full title by the Village is scheduled for July 1, 1972 - 2 -