New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-09-05
AN INTERESTING WILL CASE.

,,vNrprR OF THE RANDOLPH FAMILY HAVING
GIVEN HIS PROPERTY TO SOME VIRGINIA
SLAVES THE VALIDITY OF THE WILL is CON-
TEsTED-AN ENTERTAINING HISTORY OF THE
CASE. :.
CLIFTON. Ohio, Aug 28-At the last term of
he United States Court for the Southern DeStncs OF
ohio petition was Rled by Mr. B. F. Randolph OF Ala
hama relative to the estate OF his brother the late Hoh'
ard Randolph formerly Of Greene County, Ohio Inc
object OF the petition is the beginning OF pro
headings in behalf OF the heirs-ataw OF hcharu' ior
the recovery OF the proceeds arising from the SAFE on
largo landed estate of which he had been possessed wnou
he died and which he had devised to an heirntust as
tha exeeuor OF his will the benefit OF certain slaves
then the property Of the Randolph family This Is the
beginning OF what will probably prove one OF the most ln
teresng and cases ever tried oerore the
one which will involve the establishment OF new ana lu-
porant principles OF especial moment to the members OF
the legal profession throughout the whole country
However decided by the lower tribunal, 1t will finally
reach the Supreme Court, and opinion there VIII DO
asked before the litigation will cease.
As legal document, doubtless the petition OF Mr.
Randolph is in the proper form, but Its statements ana
lmputaOns such that the vndication OF character
and an understanding Of the truth render desirable
explanation than 1t gives ON the
northern boundary Of Greene County ONO, near the
confluence Of the two streams which form the Little
Miami River and forming part OF that largo section OF
the Southern Ohio, known as the Virginia MILITARY Dis
tct tract Of land 400 acres in extent as rich and
beautiful as any In the far-iamed Little Miami Valley
In Fayete County In the State is another tract Of
equal extent and Of almost equal beauty and fertility
These were two sections given for military services
dered during the War Of the Revolution to Of that
Virginia Randolph family Of which POcahontas was the
high mother, and John Of Roanoke member and its
brightest ornament. For years after the first set
tement OF these counties 1t doubtful who the
proprietor OF these lands They generally looked
upon debateable" ground upon the possession OF
which any adventurer might enter, occupying as
much land he could TILL cutting much timber as
he could take away. About the 1896 Mr.. Richard
Randolph OF Virginia appeared on the Greene County
tract and took possession having purchased their rights
of the heirs Of the original owners He also claimed to
hold the Fayette County land by the same enure.
WHO HE WAS.
This gentleman was relative, and at one time
protege OF John Randolph OF Roanoke, and possessed
many Of his characteristics social and Intellectual He
at times, displayed much of the eoquenoe, learning
qulckness of repartee and trenchant sarcasm wnlcn
made his great relative dreaded opponent of every
public who dared to his path during the long
period that his sveroned was heard In Congress
halls He had belonged to the very elite OF Virginia So
ciety by right Of birth well by culture and looked
upon the new comers who had then begun to invade that
exclusive circle with oil the scOrn characteristic OF the
Virginia arstoorsts OF his me and he brought with him
the backwoods Of Ohio all the sentiments and feelings
which he had mbbed at homo in the Old Dominion. His
hsuteur and conceaed contempt for those with whom
his lot was here cast and his attempted exacon from
them Of consideration and respect caused him to be dis
liked by the plain but Independent spirits around him,
while the conceded superiority Of his mental acquire
ens his biting and keen retort caused him to
be looked upon with respect though it the respect
Offear.
His cooquial powers were Of very high order and
he could hold any circle charmed by the interest OF his
conversation. As the companion OF John Randolph he
had heen adm intO Of
ing statesmen and politicians Of that day. and conse-
Quenty had intimate acquaintance with the and
Of the early days ot the Republic Ill Of these
things, whenever his moodness was neutrazed for
time by pleasurable surroundings made him one Of the
peAsantest Of companions. No such collection Of books
OF past his library contained could found within
the limits Of his adopted State whatever might be the
with Of the admirers Of classic authors among
the old families Of his native one.
As a landlord Randolph unpopular
Looking upon the tenants on his large estates much
an od.time master would regard the slaves upon his
plantation. and treating them accordingly, though with
little OF that kindness which the STAKEHOLDER often
showed toward his people, he excited their luminosity
and this feeling became fixed and permanent, for he
would stoOp attempt Cancellation. he often
engaged in litigation, and sometimes In personal al
t"rcatOns his neigbOrs and and from these
generally wOrsted. The nal result Of these
frequent difficulties that he ceased to have his lands
TILED and converted the whole Of them into pastures.
After driving his tenants he lived Alone secluded
aud herDitlike, and continued to do the remainder
Dhsfe His pecuarites consequently increased and he
became more widely known than before. II notoriety
had his desire he could have taken eectual
method to acquire it than his attempt to bury himself
from public view. Mr.. Randolph great admirer Of
the beautiful in nature; and there not remark
able tree his extensive estate that he not familiar
with and did love old friend 1t was his favorte
amusement and almost the only one In which he In
dulged visit these silent associates, and, standing
alone gaze admrngy upon their graceful and stately
forms.
Why 1t was that OF culture and rehnement-one
who ha reared IN the cultivated society Of
his day-should voluntarily ostrsciSe himself from these
associations and bury himself from observation In the
then wilds OF Ohio was to all who knew him, ON mex
pcabe mystery. 1t long suspected that his marked
Decuiarities were the result Of certain mental
dtlon produced by disappointment in love- and stories
were current to that effect. 1t has recently become
known that this suspicion correct he aianced
TO q young Virginia lady, Of high position and brilliant
accomplishments, and he was unusually happy in the
anticipated possession of the object Of his affection But
his purposes were thwared by the interferences OF
relative of his own and also of the lady His disappont
ment almost entirely changed his disposition and pur
poses Cheerfulness gave way to gloom, and spirit OF
sedhness bordering misanthropy, took the place OF
the sunny kindlness and benevolence OF his nature
A COUNTER CLAIMANT.
As has already been remarked the Fayette County
tract Of land at the time Mr. Randolph took possession
OF it. was about equal size to the Greene County one
But he did not very long hold the whole OF this few
years after his appearance in Ohio another member OF
che family Robert Randolph Lieutenant In the United
States Navy and cousin of Richard came to Ohio and
settling near the land supposed to belong to Richard
claimed an interest in himself BE charged that Rich
ard taking ADVANTAGE Of the confidence Whlch ne re-
posed In him, had wrOngfuly obtained from him some
anf