Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-05-12

why Mr.. Morrison has WithdraWu
From she Celebrated Case-The Con.
dition Of the Litigation.

L SeIeOHol00 C0U0-Ih0 C0mS
ditien Of the Litigation.
The celebrated Blodget claim has again come
Into public notice. An interview with Mr.. Lorin
Blodget published In Philadelphia this morning.
represents that the last legal steps have been
taken In the case and that 1t Is probable that those
| against whom e1ectment suits have been entered
VIII come forward now and settle In the same
puoncation IL Is announced that the heirs are now
prepared TO sell any part OF the estate TO the high
est bidder The rosy view OF the prospects OF the
claimants put forth by Mr.. Blodget does not seem
]ustined by the Information concerning the case
obtained by STAR reporter here The claim
covers a large area of land in this city.
IN the northern part OF the city as originally
ialu out tnere was a tract known as jamaica The
| eastern end OF this tract was what Is now known
/ as LeDrot Park, and the tract extended SOUTH
| Westward 10 point north OF the Presidents
HOUSE, taxing In large number OF squares OF
ground A number Of persons claiming TO be the
| neIs OF samuel Bl0dget the original proprietor,
nave from time 10 time set up claim TO recover
1 tnls ground or its value, and for some years Mr..
og mas heid Their title as trustee ABOUT
In the recorder OF deeds Office. By this deed Mr..
Morrison conveys to John J. johnson, OF the Dis
him as representative OF the alleged heirs OF SAM
| 0el Bodget, deceased. This action OF Mr.. MOrr1-
son, IL Is said is due 70 his withdrawal from the
case. The version OF the case from Mr.. MorrisOn's
side as obtained by STAR reporter, is as follows:
MT Blodget, according TO the claims OF the alleged
4
city, and In building the Capitol and White House.
The claim Is about ninety years old, and has been
rsons predscssso4 IN he BloSSet interests was
the late Daniel webster At the time webster re-
tired from the case there was large amount OF
fees and expenses due him Tor services rendered,
In disgust.
In 1sS2 Mr. Morrison was importuned to take
hold OF the case, and after nearly years careful
examination concluded that some portions OF the
original Blodget tract consisting of some 500
might be recovered, and, employing counsel to as
sst him, commenced a large number Of suits
against again such men as W. w. C1rcoran, U s Grant.
man, VIM. b. Todd, James A. Harold, John B.
ington Association and United states Insurance
Co., the Citizens Building Co., the heirs Of Elias b.
Caldwell, and many Others
LoRIN BLoDGKTs INTEREST.
About fifteen years previous to Mr.. Morrisons
connection with the case the alleged heirs Of
Blodget, being unable to procure the means neces-
sary TO prosecute the claim contracted with Lorin
Blodget to give him one-half OF all that he might
furnishing the money and facilities necessary to
push the claim TO prompt termination. Blodget
not having the means 70 comply with this con-
tract, made Subcontract with VIM. F. BoOgher,
In which Blodget, 1t Is stated, agreed to give
Boogher 90 per cent OF the amount received by him
the heirs. Boogher got a wealthy family in st.
Louis named Larimore TO take portion OF his in
terest and furnish the necessary money to pay the
Boogher, IL is stated pledged Morrison that 600
would be forthcoming at any time Morrison re-
quired IL TO push the claim. Mr.. Morrison moved
very cautiously and refused to commence any ac-
ton against occupants OF property who were not
abundanty able TO defend their title, desiring TO
exhaust the legal questions as quickly as possible
and arrive at the real status OF the case.
Worthington and Heald, who were counsel for
client, Which was sustained by the court, reSuir-
ing deposit OF 500 in cash as security for costs
in each case. and the cases were dismissed for
want OF compliance with the order OF the court In
the matter OF costs. At this stage MIR. Morrison
refused TO go any further with the until there
was an absolute conveyance made to him OF all
the property claimed In this District by the alleged
heirs OF Samuel Blodget, and such conveyance
was made 10 Mr.. Morrison, in trust, In May, 1854.
Morrison commenced great many suits both In
law and equity against the occupants OF the prop
erty. A number OF these cases have been lii
gated to an advanced stage, particularly that
against the Government in the Court OF Claims.
The Larimores. OF st. Louis, became 1t is stated,
dissatisfied with Mr.. Booghers disposition OF their
money; came to Washington and requested Mr..
Morrison 10 deal with them directly. Mr.. Morri-
SON refused 10 accede to their request, he came
Into the case through BOOgher, and considered 1t
would be a breach OF honor to comply with their
request. In consequence OF this, funds to pay the
coming, as required BY either the contract Of
WHY Mr. MORRISON WITHDREW.
Early In 1887 Mr. Morrison learned that Eoogher
had received nearly s1OO 900 from the Larimores for
the purpose OF defrayng the expenses OF prosecut-
ing the Bodget claim, and that he BOOgher), &C
cording TO his own statement, had only paid over
TO Morrison about s. 800 OF this amount; that
Blodget and BOOgher had issued bonds based on
the Blodget estate, and that such bonds had been
disposed OF wherever they could be sold or hypOth-
ecated between the Atlantic and Pacific. Mr.
Morrison refused to proceed further, and on the
Sth day CT January, 1887, notified BOOgher that
he would have no further connection or relation
with him. Mr.. Morrison also informed the heirs OF
withdrawal
them his reasons. The time that has elapsed
since has been taken up In trying TO raise Suf-
Gent to pay Mr. Morrison for his services and
expenditures In managing the case so far. 1t Is
understood that the estate has been bonded to
parties In Philadelphia for sufficient amount to
satisfy Mr.. Morrison.
The record shows that Blodget and Boogher
have disposed or their interests 10 assist In raising
the money mentioned above. What Mr. johnson
VIII do With the case remains 10 be seen.