The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-12-25

An EAtato In which Good Many West
vIFgInIAnS arc IntereEIetI.

An Eatato In which Good Many West
VIrElnIRnA are Intcresied.
Several parties in this State arc engaged
in looking after their alleged interests in
the Springer tract on which a portion of
the city of Wilmington, Del, is located.
The history Of this claim is curious one.
1t seems that one Charles Christopher
Springer, aSwGtiish nObleman, who re.
sided in Stockholm about tho year 1000,
had dreams Of the New World many long
leagues beyond the sea, and he grew rest.
less in his castle in Sweden. So, at a
powerful outlay Of silver and gold, he
organized colony Of Swedes, built some
good strong ships, and, waving farewell
TO his native land, sailed out across the
stormy seas for America. After memora.
bic voyage through wind and wave, he
cast anchor on the Eastern Shore OF Della
ware, and in due time purchased a
tract Of 800 acres OF rich land,
whereon was afterward located the site
OF the city OF Wilmington. In the
year 1896 Christopher Springer WAS born,
being brother Of the old nobleman; and
to Christopher Springer and his wife, in
turn, was born Abraham, the date OF bis
birth being April 25th, 1870. November
2lst 1850, he married Christiana Ander-
son. Abraham and his wife came west
from Delaware, and all trace OF them was
thereafter lost. Ills grandfather, Charles
Christopher, had died in 1869, the tract OF
eight hundred acres OF land he had pur-
chased having been leased by him to the
Swedish Church for the period Of 90 years.
AT the expiration OF this time, no one nav
Ing put in any claim for this valuable tract
Otland, the Mayor Of the city OF Whining
TIM advertised for the heirs. The Springer
family happened to see the advertisement
and at Jhce began to investigate the
matter. BY tracing their genealogy min.
utely, they found that Charles Christopher
had three sons, one OF whom died without
heirs. ThS names Of the other two were
Charles aud Christopher. Among the
descendants oi the nObleman arc Reuben
r, Springer, Of Cincinnati, Ohio; Hon.
William NJ, Springer, OF Washington, D.
G.; Mr.. NJ. G. Springer, Of Lincoln, Kan.
sas, aud Congressman Springer, OF Illinois.
Christopher, brother oi Charles, had nine
children; Abraham. Charles, John, Brita,
Peter, Susan, Solomon, Joseph and Cath.
arine. Abraham, the grandfather Of Mr..
Riley Springer, Of Greencastle, Indiana,
had six childrcn-Jacob, Catherine, John,
George, Elizabeth, and Abner. From
these three heads Of the Springer family,
1t will be seen what large geuealogy OF
sons and daughters sprang and spread into
all parts Of the country.
Among these, 1t is said, are quite Q
number Of Delaware people who are set
tied In this vicinity, such as the Della
plains, EotFs, Leydas and others Of thi.
county, besides residents Of Moundsville
clarksburg, and other points throughout
the State.
1 In obedience to a circular issued June
Goth, 1870, the Springer heirs met at thu
residence Of Rev, J. n. W. Springer, ii
St. Louis, the 10th Of last July, for III,
express purpose Of taking action in revart
TO this estate In and around Wilmington
Delaware, and also In that In and aruuu,
, Stockholm. Sweden. At this mCstInl
were registered the names Of the heir
present, either lawful ones or those hold
ing purchased interests. Means wore de
vised, also, by which a sufficient amour
OF money was to be raised to prosecute tn
, claim. Judge GOllspie, Of St. Louis, ad
n, dressed the meeting Is to the legal aSpeC
; Of the claim, and gave great deal oi va
= = liable information In regard to tho propel
] ty around Wilmington and that in swC
II den; aletter was read which had been II
d ceived from Sweden, and which was wri
I, ten by Charles Christopher Springer I
= : his mother, June |, 1903, wherein Ii
!. stated his pursuits and condition In Amer
/. cai alter this was read the action Of Ii
u Orphans Court on the last will and test
a tnent oil Christopher Springer, and otht
N important business was transacted.
le On the eth Of the present moth anosh,
le meeting Of the heirs was held at WI
T" nIngton, at which subcommittee We
appointed, and one is announced for S