Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1889-08-05
CIRARDS MILLIONS.
OOntesting the LegaCies Of the
Great Philanthropist.
SUITS By FRENCH CLAIMAETR

Tmpecunious French Heirs Institute Suits
for Amounts Aggregating $4,000, 600.
Struggling for Valuable Coal Lands
That Were Sold for song-chargss
deIphia Are Not Properly Administered.
NEW YORK, Aug. 5.-Several months
ago the French consul received visit
from one of his countrymen, II. De Vars
du Maine. The visitor told the consul
that he had come to this country to Sc
cure the interests Of anumber of French
men, co-heirs to portion of the estate
Of Stephen Girard, the founder of
Girard college. who left $4,000 for
the establishment and maintenance Of
various charities in Philadelphia.
The consul advised NJ. De Vars du
Maine to see Edmond Huerstol, the le-
gal representative of the French con-
sulate.
After schuyIIsilI County Coal Lands.
As q result suit hes been instituted in
the supreme court of Pennsylvania for
tile recovery of 900 acres of valuable
coal and mining lands in Schuyikill
county. N. DE Vars du Names wife is
a grandniece Of the dead millionaire and
also has power of attorney from other
heirs.
Besides these French claimants, Miss
Henrietta Girard, of Philadelphia, has
Joined in the suit. She is q niece of
Stephen Girard. There are, moreover,
other suits for the recovery Of other por-
tons of the estate.
The VIII ID sregarded.
Stephen Girard bequeathed the bulk
of this property to the city of Philadel-
phia, directing that all the revenues
arising from the estate should be applied
to certain specific purposes.
Although fifty-eight years have passed
since MIR. Girard's death, his natural
heirs say that only Girard college has
been erected from the proceeds of the
estate, and that there is a large amount
Of income that has not been used as
directed by the will. This amount is
estimated ut $1,000, 900, and these heirs
want it.
The Heirs suffered Through Ignorances
The suit for the Schuylkill county
property is brought against Mrs. Eugenia
Girard and certain present holders. At
ter Stephen Girard had made his will he
came into possession of this property,
and under the law of Pennsylvania it Is
not affected by the will This was adj
mitted by the city of Philadelphia, and
the 5000 acres were sold nominally for
the benefit of the Girard heirs in order to
pay claim against them of $3, 800. The
heirs resident in France being very poor
and unacquainted with the facts, it is
said, paid no attention to the matter,
and the property was bought in at an
absurdly low figure by agents of John
Augustus (iirard, of Philadelphia, and
when he died his wife came into pos
session.
suits In Louisiana.
The property contains some of the best
coal and iron mines in the country.
They are now in operation and are
valued at several millions. The plain
tiffs in the present action allege that the
property was not rightfully sold, not all
the heirs having been cited to appear.
Another suit on behalf of these same
heirs has been instituted against the
state of Louisiana, where it is alleged
the estate owned 2OS, 900 acres valued at
$1,000, 900. Altogether some $i3, 600, 900
is involved in these suits. Most of toe
contestants are extremely Door.