The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1886-04-14
FIVE MILLIoM DOLLARS.
'Citi,eas OF Logenspo<s Possibly Heirs to
Inmease Irsttuns- tEsst.sry and
PersOael Of the Case.

LoGANsPoRT. Ind. April Authorization
has just been received here by NUMBER OF
prominent citizens Of the city aud county,
that large sum OF money is now laying in
Washington to which they will fall heir. 1t
appears that large portion OF the sum re-
Gently paid over as indemnity for French
spo,iation during the French and Indian
war of colonial days is due the estate of
Colonel Ball. who was then a shipping agent
at Philadelphia. and who lost large num-
Der OF valuable vessels that were seized upon
by the French. The sum estimated as due
the heirs is now placed at 5000, 900. CON-
bining the principal and interest for so many
years. Great interest Is being manifested by
the heirs in this community which include
some of ouT.mOst prominent citizens, among
them Mrs Daniel Conrad. A Custer Mrs.
Susan Krieder. Samuel Horne, George Horne,
Mrs A. J. Sutton. Mrs. Andrew Burnett,
Samuel Conrad. Mrs. Mary Morehart L. 3.
Custer, ChauDcey Carter, Mrs. Elizabeth
Brown. Mrs. Joseph Chestnut aud others
Besides there are George Custer. OF
I.ithopolis, Ohio; John l.. Custer, of
Bopsparte, Ia; Levi u. Horne, OF R0cdes-
ter. Ind and Adam W. Horne, OF Oregon.
AS it is known that there can be no more
than 100 heirs in sll branches OF the family,
the fortune to each will be considerable,
averaging. perhaps. $4,000 The news so
recently received reviyes all the legends OF
the family concerning their geueaogy.
From interviews with the most interested
of the heirs the entire story of the family.
its origin and fortune were learned. 1t has
long been q tradition OF the Custer family,
who are very numerous IN this community,
that one OF the ancestors. Colonel Ball, was
q maTyelously rich man in Lancaster, Pa,
over 125 years ago. A daughter OF this
e 81 ~ -f.a1 30
English gentleman. Paul Custer, in those
early days. The Revolutionary War and
the progress OF civilization carried this
branch of the family. by successive genera
lions. Westward, and although the genealogy
OF the branch living here can readily be
| traced back. no definite account OF Colonel
Balls death and disposal of mis- riches
| has ever been preserved. Nearly
| sixty years ago Colonel Ball dis
| tribUted large tracts of land in
| Green County, Pennsylvania, among his
heirs. AS the land was then considered
| ton for 500, as did nearly all the other
| heirs The lucky buyer made 81, 900 by
| the speculation. Thirty years ago the de-
| scendants OF the old millionaire in this neigh
| borhood w;5e aroused by receiving letters
! from lawJ er, Charles DE LeSsing, of Phila-
delphia, which stated that vast sections OF
| real estate ia the business portion OF Phlla-
| delphia b. onged to the heirs OF Colonel Ball,
ami that he had collected over $40, 900 in
rentals, etc. which ought to be divided.
| The lawyer fur her stated, that as the prop
| erty was in dispute he wanted each heir to
| sign him power Vi attorney. Many did so,
| and never hearU from him again. The heirs
| considered then. selves swindled. and let the
| matter drop. Ithentic records still remain
in the family slowing that Colonel Bal
| once did own l. e portions of Philadelphia
when a young city, and several large tracts
| of land IN Pennsylvania. His wealth wa:
numbered in tie millions. but for nearly 8
century trickerr and deception, it is claimed
bss kept one b such of the family from 4
just inheritancr Jf their portion. The heir:
in this city and county will organize at onct
for the purpose of securing their rightfu
/ dues