Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1890-01-25

and Leslie w. Russell for the executors,
ex-Judge William q. Choaie and Joseph
IL. Choate for the contestants, assisted
by ex-Surrogate Daniel q. Rollins and
Elihu Root, Esq. By it 1874 parcels of
real estate arc conveyed and their titles
settled, including the Stewart store ON
Broadway, the once noted Stewart man
sion on .Thirty-fourth street. two large
hotels, Niblo's Garden theatre and many
other important properties. -, ,, 500.
After all, 30 complicated are the de-
tails that three months more must elapse
before the last steps can be taken, there
being suits in distant states, sales or
dered by courts and property in tho
hands Of trustees and receivers; but
practically the great case is settled, and
the expectant public is to remain for
ever disappointed as to learning the de-
tails of Judge Hilton's management.
Enough is known, however, to make tho
serial story of Stewart and Hilton the
great financial drama of the age.
OF Alexander Turney Stewart the
world has heard much, and but little Of
It need be repeated. He was born near
Belfast, Ireland, Oct. 2, 1909, studied at
Trinity college, Dublin, but did not take
degree, landed in New York in 1928
and two years later opened that cele-
brated store at 2s3 Broadway, which
gradually expanded into the greatest dry
goods business under one man in the
world. Until the civil war began he
confined his charities strictly to his own
countrymen, sending ship load Of pro-
visions TO Ireland during the famine of
1851. The civil war, SO his few inti-
mates said, touched his heart" he was
an ardent Unionist, donated literally,
and, once in the habit, thereafter gave
large sums to worthy objects. In March,
1859, President Grant appointed him
secretary Of the treasury, but the law
forbade an Importer to hold that place.
April ~, 1870, he died, and troubles
too hard to bear began for his gentle,
affectionate but unsophisticated wife.
None Of their children had lived more
than few days, and Mrs. Stewart had
bacone almost recluse. He often de-
clared that he had not q relative in the
world, and did not like any of Mrs.
Stewards relatives. Some Of them he
cordially detested, His mien was rather
forbidding. He had sharp features and
an unfriendiy, suspicious air. His busi-
ness was his darling and his pride, and
he wanted it continued under one man
agenent. But it would be folly to sup
pose that man by the name of Stewart
could die leaving some $50 900, 900 and
no relatives" appear. The New York
city directory alone contains two pages
OF Stewards"
The relatives" came - mot single
spies, but in battalions." Mrs. Stewart
and Judge Hilton received letters from
every part of the globe, chiefly, of course,
from Great Britain and Ireland, and the
countries thence settled, but some in al
most every written language. One
claimant, Russian, WAS specially i'm
Fortunate and finally threatening. He
claimed to be able to prove that A. T.
Stewart was his brother, an exile who
changed his name on coming 10 Amer
lea. On the night Of Nov. rs, 1878, the
remains Of Stewart We're stolen from the
vault in old st. Marks churchyard aud
S25, 900 reward was offered for their re-
covery or Information To convict the
robbers. Tho whole country was con-
vulsed. A new crime had been invent