The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1886-03-06
LIKE FRENCH NOVEL.
A West Virginia Case that has
been ON the Docket since
the Revolutionary
Days.

PARKERsBURG, w. VA, Feb. Is
One of the most remarkable, roman
tie, as well as important cases
ever brought into West Virginia
court has engaged the attention of
the L. SCOUT for the past two days.
1t dates back to Revolutionary days
and its progress from that time TO
to the present has been intimately
connected with prominent characters
and the progress Of this State. a
brief resume of the events, which are
of the most absorbing interest, is as
follows:
At the time of the Revolutionary
war James Swami was wealthy
and influential citizen of Boston.
He offered his services at the earliest
hour of the conflict and was com
missioned an officer in the Continen
tai army. He rose by his work in
the field to the rank of General at the
close of the war Perhaps, his great
est service to his country was render
ed financially, as he turned all his
immense fortune over to the Govern
ment at critical period when it was
most needed, and his retirement from
the army found him comparatively
poor man.
The Virginia House Of Burgesses
in consideration of his distinguished
services made him grants of wild
lands amounting to about 5000, 900
acres These immense tracts Of land
were principally in what now eonsti-
tute Upshur, Randolph, Tucker
Braxton. Nicholas, kanawha; Fay
cite, Webster, Clay, Wyoming,
Logan, Lincoln. Boone Mercer,
Raleigh and Wayne counties, in
this State, and Tazewell, Bland, Pu-
laski, Giles, Botetourt, Buchanan,
Wise and Russell counties, of the Old
! Dominion. To these grants General
Swami added about 100000 acres
by purchase and otherwise, until he
controlled nearly 100000 acres,
principally in what now constitutes
1 this State.
RETURNED TO PARIS.
On money he still retained he
made his way to Paris during the
latter years of the last century He
raised large sums of money on his
landed estates in this country, and
for several years he lived the life of
a sybarite in the gay capital He
secured Il palatial residence and iurn-
ished it with Oriental magniiicence.
He entertained with lavishness
that was magnificent. His army as
sociations gave him the entrec every
where, and he was received as n iav
ored guest at the French Court. In
the meantime he had interested him
self in an immense colonization
scheme. He proposed to settle all
the southeastern part Of what is now
West Virginia with eolonists. He had
in his company for the furtherance
of his grand idea, many Frenchmen
of high, rank, several princes and at
least two crowned heads of Europe
His plans were laid on a scale that
has never been equaled even by the
famous South Sea Island scheme.
After years the changes in the
Government and the unsettled state
Of national affairs in France brought
his splendid chateaHe en- cspdgRe
tumbling about his head like Il
house of cards, and he found himself
reduced almost to perjury. He came
back to America, leaving debts in
Paris amounting to about ~, 300, 600,
most of his creditors being connect
ed with the first Napoleonic govern
ment of France On his arrival in
Philadelphia he procured assistance
and attempted to retrieve his lost
fortunes, but to no purpose. He was
so poor he could not pay the small
taxes on his land.
CAME TO HIS ASSISTANCE.
In 1888 the Legislature OF Nir-
ginia again came to his assistance,
and released all his lands from for
fixture, which had occurred through
non-payment of taxes, because of his
eminent services to his country.
In the meantime General Swami
died, and in his will he devised his
lands to John Peter Dumas, a French
man, who was his intimate friend, as
trustee for the benefit of his French
creditors. Dumas was obliged to
borrow money to carry out the wish
| Of ha ox-aonfn1 Inn1
of trust.on the land as collateral to
Josiah Randall, the famous lawyer,
and Henry Clay, Wing leader, of
Philadelphia, and father of Samuel
J. Randall. John Peter Dumas died
in 1874, and Josiah Randall was APP
pointed trustee in his stead, by the
Circuit Court of Kanawha county,
this State, which position he held
until his death, which occurred in
1865. In 1866 Josiah Randall's son,
Robert E. Randall, Of Washington,
d. c., was appointed trustee. which
position he held until to-day's decis-
ion.
Like Dumas, young Randall Dor
rowed money to enable him to settle
up the business of the estate, giving
also deed Of trust ON the estate.
The gentleman from whom the
money was borrowed brought the
suit which was settled to-day, ask
ing for sale OF so much of the prop
ertv as would covci' his claim, which
amounted to about $4,000 princi-
pal and interest Other creditors
also joined in the request.
The CASE COMPROMISED.
The case was compromised by the
appointment of Col. +. J.. Butterick,
of Charleston, as agent with direc-
tions to settle up the estate. Attor-
ney r. G.. Barr, of your city, who
represents the French creditors
whose claims amount to $l50,000,
was present in the interest of his
clients.
A great portion of the lands orig
inally patented to Swami have
s passed into other hands by reason
of tenantry for the lawful time, but
it is estimated that at least 100000
acres will remain to the estate when
the case is finally adjudicated, OF
90