The Osceola times., 1882-05-20
FOURTEEN YEARS AT LAW.
a Remarkable Family Dispute That Has
Yielded Fat Legal Fees.
Philadelphia Times.

Philadelphia Times.
The litigation over what is known as
the Gaul estate, which came up before
Judge Hare on Saturday last on a rule TO
close testimony, is in some respects one
of the most remarkable that has occupied
the attention of the courts in recent
years, and is destined to 90 down IN IT,
cal annals as a cause ceiebre. The case
has been before the courts in various
ways for about fourteen years. The fol-
lowing outline of this remarkable con-
test was obtained from gentleman thor
oughly familiar with it: The original
Gaul, whose first name was Frederick,
came to this country from Germany dur
ing the last century and engaged in the
business of brewing. His brewery was
on Market street, below Fourth, on the
present site of the dry goods house Of
Ricgel, Scott q Co. He died in 1881,
leaving, for those days, very large es
tate, of which he made his wife and his
two sons, Frederick and William, execu-
tors. The portions for his daughters and
for his son Jacob, who was not consider
ed capable of managing his affairs, were
left in trust for their benefit. The busi-
ness was continued by three of the old
mans sons, Frederick, Martin and Will
liam, for some years, when William with
drew. Martin died in 1912, leaving the
business in the solemanagemento of Fred
erick. Dissatisfaction arose in the fami-
" as to the handling of the trust estate,
and finally, in 1852, an amicable arrange
ment was arrived at by which the trust
estates were confded TO the care of Hen.
nv stiles, who had married one of the
Nf E.alar;.lr Ea,f Gr and
mained under his management, with the
advice of Frederick. Jr., and William,
until his death in 1862.
The country seat of the family, near
Nicetown, known as "The Pines" was
purchased with funds which had been
accommodating in the trust estates for ia
cob and Catbarine Gaul, the two heirs
who were considered incapacitated to
manage theirown affairs. This property
was afterwarI sold at handsome profit.
A mortgage was placed upon the proper
ty, which, about 1861, was foreclosed by
the trustee, and the property was bought
in at a sheriii7s sale for Jacob and Catha'
rine, who thus again became the owners.
The death of Henry stiles, in 1862, caused
a change in the care Gf the trust estates,
which placed them in the hands of James
s. Huber, q son-iu-law OF stiles add a
nephew by marriage of Jacob and Cath
arine Gaul. There were dissensions in
the family until after the death of Will
liam Gaul in 1868. This gentleman, who
had re-engaged in the brewing business,
during the war made large fortune,
which at his death was passed by will
to his widow and two adopted daughters.
After William Gaul's death dispute
arose between his executors and Huber
rs to the ownership Of the brewery prop
erty, which Huber claimed belonged to
him. Huber also claimed that William
and Frederick Gaul were largely indebt-
ed to the trust estates, and demanded
settlement from Williams executors.
The case was taken to the courts, and in
1871 George M. Connaroe was appointed
auditor. No very great progress had
been made in the case when, in 1876, the
eldest daughter of Frederick Gaui, Sr.,
Mary Gaul Smith, died, and her interest
was to be distributed.
A point TO determine was the share
she had in the estate of Jacob, who, dy-
ing after William, in 1871, had left a
large property TO 60 to the family. Dur
ing her life Mrs. Smith had sided with
Huber. but her heirs engaged other coun-
sci. This break in the ranks led to the
filing of bill in equity against all par
ties, with view TO compelling settlement
Frederick Gaul, Jr, had died in 1872,
and this bill was filed in behalf of the
Fidelity Trust Company, substituted
trustee under his will. Application was
made for a master and George NJ. Dallas
was chosen. The Guarantee Safe Depos-
it Company wsy appointed receiver.
Huber died in May, 1879. The claim
made by Huber to the brewery property
and which had led to the opening up OF
the litigation was supplemented by his
claiming "The Pines" the old country
seat, also ~ his property.
Portions of this had been cold by HUI
Der, but no account given. Here was an
other nut for the lawyers to crack. A
few more years of undisturbed possession
would have barred any claim 10 what
had always been considered the proper.
ty of the trust estates. The passing OF
this into the hands of the master gives
him another point to decide. The de-
lays necessarily incident in case OF THIS
magnitude, made the progress provok'
ingly slow. Catharine Gaul, who was
not mentally able to care for her affairs
was interested in the settlement of htl
brother Jacobs estate, and the question
arose as TO her repreeentation before tht
master. Long hefoe the council for th'
g. n a..