The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-09-01
A BIG LEGAL FIGHT.
CLAIMS MADE TO TWBNTY-sEvEN
ACRES OF LAND IN SAVANNAH.

~.
The Title to the Prendergast Property
to Be Contested by the Heirs Of John
hiillen-sa'f a Million Dollars In
VOWED, ard Nearly 100 People Inter
ested IL the Claim-The Suits TO Be
Filed Today.
Property owners in the southern portion
of the city have the prospect of some un-
pleasant litigation before them.
Suits will be filed to-day In the superior
court for the recovery OF about twenty
seven acres Of land in the neighoorhood Of
Bull and Anderson streets, aud extending
TO Habersham street, by J. W. Preston,
Esq, of Preston, Giles &, Polhill, attorneys,
Of Macon, for the claimants. The salts
are brought at the instance of the
remainder men and children Of
Mrs. D. Millea, la5s OF Jasper
county. Mrs. Millen was the wife OF George
D. MiIlen OF Jasper county. sou OF hon.
John Millen OF Savannah. who died 10 the
cary sos.
TIE PROPERTY ISvALUzD.
The property is known as the PrendsrgaSe
tract. The claimants ore six In uumbsr
and reside In Jasper and Butts counties.
They believe they have o clear titis 20 the
property.
Mr.. Preston gives the history OF toa man
ner In which ths property passed into the
hands OF the present holders.
Hon. John Millen Of this city. who repre-
sented the First district in congress for sew
eral years and was dlstlng uished citizen
Hfa3
in lS43. leaving large
landed property in this county
and elsew Zero to be divided among bis three
children.
A TWENTY-sRvEN ACRE TRACT.
The twenty seven acres in question fell to
his son. Geo. u. Millen OF Jasper county
who made life interest IN the property 70
his wife. Mary Sauls Millen. and Jacob
Waldburg and Miss Camella Millen OF Sa
yannah wero appointed trustees for Mrs.
Millea. They were succeeded In their trus-
teeship by Grief Linen Iinch sold the
property to Michael Prsndergost without
any authority, IL is claimed, as Mrs.
Millen had only life interest
in IT,, and could not dispose Of It had she
wished.
The property is now very valuable. MI
ct az approximation. Suit will be
brought against all parties vino now hold
under Michel PrenderGass or his successors.
BIG LIST OF DEFENDANTS.
The property has been greatly divided up
and disposed OF of late years, and bstw
ssveaty-hve and 100 people will be made
parties TO the Suits
Mr. Preston will be assisted by legal
counsel from Savannah.
ill &. 49,. 3D.. -.
vannah. involving as il does the title and
ownership Of some OF the most valuable res
i1eoce property ia the city, and will Ger
tainiy DO contested by the holders to the last
poss Die resource, il Necessary.
According 70 fns claimants statement
they have plaza case. which, OF course,
viii b dispue ed 10y the defendants
TaE CLAIMANTS COUNSEL
Mr.. Preston, WAC brings tue suit for
the claimants, is well known
TO many members of the bar
10 Savannah. He was solicitor general Of
The Ocmulgse circuit six years aud was
elected for another term, but resigned to
take his place in the state Senate from the
twenty eighth h district, composed OF Put
man. Morgan aud Jasper counties. This
was the Senate Of lS75I79 over which
Hon Rufus Il. Lester presided Mr.
Preston was candidate Tor congress
in the sixth district against HOu
James II. Biount and only lacked two
votes OF securing the nomination. He was
a member of the national democratic
convention that dominated Cleveland in
1876 10 1877 he was appointed by Prei-
dent Cleveland Ia take charge Of the Indian
reservation Land in California from San
Francisco To- Arizous. but resigned upon
toe election and accession to Office Of PTeSi-
dent Harrison after being two years in
charge Vi Indian affairs. He is now q mern-
Der Of the law firm OF Prestou Giles L.
Polhiil, OF Macon.