RFD by Andy G. The first part of the column describes how land and fishing spots along rivers in NW Calif. were held a private holdings of Yurok, Hoopa, and Karok headman. He writes that a new book titled Land in California by W.W. Williams, published by UC Press in 1951. The 2nd part of the article states that the townsites of Crescent City, Eureka, and Red Bluff were spawned as "federal townsites." The federal townsites Act of 1844 permitted or granted towns pre emption rights similar to those given to individuals in 1841. The 1844 Act provided that whenever any portion of unsurveyed public land was settled upon and occupied as a townsite, its authorities could enter the land at the proper land office and at the minimum price, in trust for the townsmen.