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Pearce obtained temporary access rights to the canal roads that
allowed entry into Fishbranch.
On April 7, 1993, the Circuit Court of Highlands County,
sitting as the probate court with jurisdiction over petitioner,
held a hearing on the proposed Gift/Sale Transaction. The Court
approved the transaction, on the condition that the Water
District commit in writing to transfer the Lockett residence and
other historical sites at Basinger to a Florida agency that would
preserve the sites and keep them open to the public. William
Malone (Mr. Malone), an employee of the Water District, who
testified at trial, subsequently wrote a letter of assurance to
the presiding judge, stating that the Water District would
work with the appropriate government agencies to assure the
preservation of the Lockett home as a historic site. On
August 27, 1993, the Gift/Sale Transaction between the petitioner
and the Water District closed. At the time of trial, the Water
District was in the process of entering into an agreement,
whereby it would lease portions of Basinger to Highlands County.
Highlands County intends to establish an agricultural museum on
the Lockett family residence and surrounding property.
b. The Sale of Fishbranch
In August 1994, petitioner entered into negotiations to sell
Fishbranch to Willowbrook Coal Co. (Willowbrook). On April 27,
1995, a portion of Fishbranch, amounting to approximately 3,300
acres, was sold to Willowbrook in a cash sale for a price of
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Last modified: May 25, 2011