The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-06-07
Thc indianapolis GrOcer-.The re.
m"rkabie Story Of How He was Paid
One Million Dollars for his Claim TO
Property an New York.

From The Indianapolis Sentinel, Jme2l
Henry w. Caldwell, the well-known form
or lndlana-avenue commission merchant.
residing ut No. 1I5 West Michigan street
has just turned page in the chapter ofhig
history that seems more like fiction than
sober truth. Late jim the seventeenth CEN
tury his great. grandfather came to this
country and settled in New York State,
and purchased in what Is now the
heart of the city Of New York eight
acres Of land, upon which he Il built
n mill. On the occupancy of that city he
was driven out and the mill taken posses
sion of by the British soldiery. Alterward
he leased the property and moved into New
Jersey. This real estate since that time
has been transferred time and again, but
always by lease, inasmuch as a clear title
could not be given. Mr.. Caldwell's anccs-
tors seem to have neglected their interest,
and In course of time to have forgotten all
about it. Some three years since the ln-
dianapolis Caldwell discovered a clue that
finally led TO the establishment of his claim
rs one of the legal heirs to that property.
With his customary tact and perseverance
he set to work to gather up what cvi-
dcncc was necessary, and so successful was
the search that last week he started for
New York city with all the material
ncedful to make his title good. Upon
arrival there he laid his claim before some
influential lawyers, and through them q
proposition was made to the holders of this
estate-Vandcrbilt, one of the Astors, and
others-to give them quit claim to his in
tcrest for 100000. This proposition was
taken under advisement by them, and Mr..
Caldwell thereupon started for home. BY
tue time he arrived at Niagara Falls tele-
gram was received here by his wife from
the New York parties, accepting the terms
proposed. This was forwarded to Mr..
Caldwell, who returned to New York, made
over quit claim, received the money, and
now holds certificates Of deposit for 81 ,000,-
600 in some of the national banks of that
city.
There are still other heirs to this prop
erty that these New York men will have TO
"see' before they can have perfect title.
They only purchased Mr.. Caldwelrs in
tereSt. This gentleman three years ago re-
qucsted these heirs to unite with him and
make UP "pony purse for the prosecu-
ton of their claims. They refused, belicv-
ing it useless, and therefore Mr.. Caldwell
has all the more credit for the pertinacity
with which he followed up an undertaking
that at first looked almost hopeless.
Most certainly there is happy family on
West Michigan street. Mr.. Caldwell is the
son-in-law of Captain North, having mar
ried, years since, his only daughter. Both
husband and wife possess large hearts and
benevolent minds, and doubtless will .u$c
| this great gift which has come to them in a
manner beneficial to themselves and to
mankind. NIr. Caldwell is 4 prominent
member of the Seventh Presbyterian
Church, corner of Blackford and Michigan
streets, and has always borne the reputa-
| ton of n THOROUGH Christian.
| from the New York Commercial
| After all, the story lacks confirmation.
Cur reporters have just interviewed"
the persons who might be supposed to
know most about this million of dollars,
and the result is told in another column
There is a prevailing ignorance concerning
the whole subject. Nobody here knows
anything, or, if anybody does know any
thing, nobody will confess.