The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-08-22
CLAIM EVERYTHING,
FOR THEN, AT LEAST, YOU'LL COVER
THE WHOLE GROUND.
Another Half "a Thousand Million Drive
mt the Metropolis Hundred Peo-
pie Who Think They Have
Sure Thing.

DAYTON, O.. Aug 23.-For the last
several day martln - of persons from vari-
Gus section Tins tate and from Psnnsyl-
vania. Indiana. Wisconsin, and New York
have been held in tut, city at the residence
of MIR j D. Mercer ami at the soldiers
home Tor the puvpoSe OF looking after
an estate said to be valued at $500, 600 900.
The estate is chat Of John Mercer Of
Pennsylvania, which became so we'll
known throughout the country through
the recent Vanderbilt suit, when it
was elaine the railroad magnate was de-
Sirnus OF getting pos eSsiOn Of about $5O,-
0OD,0J) worth OF the property. The object
Of the above meeting was the a.
tablshmeut Of the Legitimate heirs to this
most wonderful estate, and To devise some
means OF n settlement. There were in all
alb iut 2OJ persons present. soma Of whom
were represented by attorneys at law. Con
siderable intere Was manifested by all
that were proseut From one of the Mer-
Ger, tie rolloUin. synoptical history of the
legacy was obtained:
john Mercer came to this country from
Scotland before the revolutionary war and
settle in Chester county, Pennsylvania. He
state in or (is it was them near New York
city, which he leased to the government
Amos WIN Inherited this fortune, had five
Children David. Joseph, Juno Polly and
John. Soma Il these -nns went to the
war OF ISL ,tnd were never heard of after
ward aud tno remainder scattered, some OF
whom, among them Joseph came to Ohio
over fifty years ago. and thus came the
present Mercer~ who lay claim to the origi-
nal tate Of John Mercer, who cams from
Scotland in tina colonial days. Mr. J. d.
Mercer, of this city. AMI Miss Mary Lance,
Of Fairfield this STATE seem 10 be the prin-
cipal heirs.
The matter wa, brought to their attention
in the following manner; Miss Lance was
in New York recently looking up the estate
on her mothers side, when ste learned that
the lease II the original John Mercer to the
government had run out in 1879 and that
Mr.. Vanderbilt had tried to get possession
Of some $50 0Oj, 900 of the property, when,
after long litigation, tile courts
decided against him, when he had
the matter carried to the supreme
court of New York, which decided
that it bclon sed to the heirs This decision
n
larger estate, which on account of the valu.
able property that has been placed upon it
is said to b. worth some $500. 900, 600 Miss
Lance is now in the east looking after the
matter and stops have been taken by thoss
who are interested in the matter to have II
pushed to n speedy settlement, as there
seems t. be no obstacles in the way since the
decision of the courts has already been OBJ
tainel.
A letter from wealthy member Of the
family in Wisconsin gives authority to hire
the best legal talent if necessary to obtain
possession of the property, which rightfully
and unquestionably belong, to the descend
ants of John Mercer formerly of Chester
county, Pennsylvania.
The leading members Of the family, WHIT
are now holding consultation at James
town, have the settlement or looking up OF
The family records, their publication and
the full power to proceed with the settle
ment Of the estate at once.