The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1873-10-11
Am American TichbOrne.
A CASE IN WHICH SOME OF THE MOST
PROMINENT MEN IN PENNSYLVANIA
ARE INTERESTED D--THE WONDERFUL
ADVENTURES OF A CLAIMANT TO
$40,0W,0N.

MAUCH CHUNK, PA, Sept. L.
There is now pending in the State
Courts Of Pennsylvania one OF the
most important lawsuits on record. 1t
was instituted by Mr.. O. II. Wheeler,
a lawyer Of this place. 1t is for the
recovery OF 4, 1000 acres of valuable coal
lands in Luzerne county, Pa, said to
be worth $4O,000,000. The history Of
the proprietorship Of the land is full Of
romance.
Some forty years ago there died in
hospital in Philadelphia a man
named James Turnbull. He had been
a man Of means, and was one Of the
first to invest In land in this region,
when the discovery Of a;atllracite coal
was tardily followed by mine develop
ments. He purchased the tract of
1900 acres in Luzerne county. Bad
speculations subsequently led him into
dissipation, and he died as stated, de-
claring that he still had a title to the
coal-land in Luzerne, although.other
claimed it by virtue Of tax purchase.
DIVORCE.
A short time before his death his
wife was divorced from him, and given
charge Of their only child, n son, also
named James. He lived with his
mother in Philadelphia about ten years
after his fathers death, then, at the
age Of sixteen, went to sea.
In 1852 the divorced widow, being
in destitute circumstances, and believ-
ing that her son, if living-tor she had
not heard of him for ycars-was the
real owner of the coal lands in Lu-
zerne county, which her late husband
had neglected, came to Mauch Chunk
and called on Mr.. 0. H. Wheeler. He
had formerly been a friend of her hus-
bands, the two having had years be-
fore real estate, transactions together.
To him she stated the case of the own
erslip Of the land, and exhibited GER
tain papers in her possession that once
belonged to Turnbull.
Wheeler examined the papers and
searched the record. The result con-
vinced him that young Turnbull had,
through his father, n perfect title to
the property. He at once set about to
find, if possible, the whereabouts of
the wandering heir. Advertisements
were inserted In the journals of all
countries, in all languages. Letters
were written to every point where it
was at all probable that James might
be, but without avail. Not a word
could be obtained that gave any clue
to his whereabouts. The land mean-
time had fallen into the hands of Asa
Packer, the Pardees, and other famous
and powerful capitalists, who still hold
them.
THE SON HEARD FROM.
One day, in the fall of 1871, James |
Turnbull's mother received letter,
posted in the City of Mexico. 1t
proved to be from her son. He was
living in Mazatlan, on the western
coast Of Mexico, and would in all prob
ability be home in another year,
Thus, after a ceaseless effort oftwenty
years, the lawyer and the mother were
1t last rewarded with news Of the lost
SON.
Mr.. Wheeler employed man to 20
1t once to Mazatlan and bring James
% America. This was done, and
lbout a year ago Turnbull landed in
Philadelphia.
His career had, been one Of peril,
hardship and adventure. The vessel
no left Philadelphia in was ship.
wrecked, and he and eight others Of
he crew were the only ones saved.
When the boat, which they succeeded
In launching, was picked up near the
Island Of st. Thomas, after floating