I re-read The Evangelist last night, and a few things caught my eye, which might be worth discussing among those who have researched and know more than I:
On the blueprint, a strong line is drawn in that same yellow pencil right where Sebonack road is now. On the 1904 USGS maps, there is a stub in about the same place. It would appear that while giving CBM the right to choose his 205 acres, there were some conditions. In addition to the reversions clause, I gather he was required to maintain at least some access to the future Sabin property, which they still owned. It would be interesting to see the actual purchase agreement to see what else was in there.
I re-read the whole NGLA chapter, starting on page 61. He says CBM tried to buy SH, the land company who controlled the land could have made a nice profit, and the members pressured them to reject the sale. He notes in italics, but not quotes, that the members were outraged that CBM had the "audacity to purchase out course right out from under us."
Did I miss this discussion?
The narrative on Raynor is confusing, but he (as you might read in Scotland's Gift, depending on interpretation) seems to put Raynor out there for "months of planning" before the purchase of the land. He claims it was CBM and Raynor who went over the property looking for sites to build holes, not the committee. The committee was asked on board later, according to George.
I also don't recall these passages being discussed at length here, and am not sure the narrative is as detailed and time oriented as some of us have been, but thought it was worth brining up.