The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-08-28
SEARCH FOR A LOST HEIR
A MISSING SIGNATURE TEAT IT
TOOK A LONG TIME TO GET.

Story OF the Effort to Perfect the Title
TO the Government Property ct York
and Aberccrn Streets-The Search
for One of the Bolton Family
Supposed to Eavs Been Dead-A
Letter of Inquiry to the American
Consul at Victoria Reaches the Miss
ing Bolton Himself
Persistence is a virtue that often rewards
its possessors in dollars and cents. Nothing
illustrates this better than the history Of the
effort TO perfect the title TO the government
property at York and Abercorn streets,
upon which it was intended TO erect the new
postoffice. There is good story in it, too.
When the government agreed to accept
the property from Col. j. II. Estill. or the
portion of it which he owned, it was found
that the title was defective for the reason
that the name of one of the ostensi-
bic heirs did not appears in the deed Of
sale, and there was nothing to show that he
had consented to the sale. The government
could not accept the property as long as the
shadow of doubt rested upon the title.
SUPPOSED TO BE DEAD.
1t was stated in the title that the missing
heir was supposed to be dead, but that there
| was no evidence Of this
1t was necessary before the lot could be
accepted by the government to prove that
this heir was dead at the time the transfer
was made or to secure quitclaim Of his
title in the property If living.
The old house which then stood at the
corner of York and Abercorn was known
as the Bolton house, having been built and
occupied by the family Of that name more
than ninety years ago. The Bottoms were
distinguished family and prominentin the
Savannah Of that day.
THE FAMILY SCATTERED.
The family had broken up and removed
years before the war, the few remaining
members being scattered here aud there
over the country. When the property was
| sold there was one member Of the family
that had not been heard from in years. and
| none Of the other members of the family
| knew what had become of him. Reports
had been received of his death, and the sup
position at the time the deed was made was
| that he was dead.
| Col. Estill determined TO seek out the
members of the missing mans family in
hopes Of ascertainiug the facts of his death
or his whereabouts if living.
| BEGINNING OF THE SEARCH.
He had learned that the missing Bolton
had brother in Virginia, and he made a
| trip there. He saw the brother, who told
him that he believed bis brother TO
have been dead at the time the
sale was made, but he had since
heard reports TO tine contrary, whether
true or not he was unable to say. He
referred him to a sister living in Columbia,
8. c., who had married prominent gentle
man there. Col. Estill paid visit to her
on the same errand. She said the family
had thought her brother dead for some
time, but she had since heard from
him in Seattle, Washington territory. She
had not heard from him in some time, how
ever, and did not know his whereabouts.
TRACKED TO SEATTLE.
Col. Estill then wrote to the newspapers
at Seattle, giving the name and
general description of the man and
been there, and IL he was there still, tell
ing them to advertise freely in search for
HIM. Some time afterward he received a
| reply saying that the party inquired for had
been there, but had been gone some time,
it was thought to Tacoma, Washington
territory, or Portland, Ore.
Col. Estill wrote to the newspapers at
these places. telling them to advertise freely
| for the person described and requesting in
formation from any one knowing of his
whereabouts. A month or more atterward
he received a letter from gentleman at
| Portland saying that he thought Mr.. Bolton
had gone TO British Columbia aud that ne
might be at Victoria, Vancouver's Island.
A wEARIsoME CHASE.
The will-o'- tbe.wisp chase was becoming
disheartening, but having discovered that
| the party sought was really alive Col.
| Estill determined 20 follow him to the end
of the earth, which he appeared very likely
| to do at the rate he was going. After
considering the matter he decided to write
to the American consul at Victoria, Van
oouver's Island, British Columbia, Civ
ing full description of Bolton and explain
ing why he was wanted. II was some time
before an answer was recsived, but one day
huge envelope arrived through the mails,
with the consular seal attached.
FOUND AND CONSUL
Opening it, what was Col. Estilrs sur
prise and establishment to find that il was
from the missing Bolton himself, who was
the American consul under Cleveland at
Victoria, and enclosing Quit-claim
deed to all property to which be
might be entitled in this state. The deed
was properly attested before the British au.
thorities.
Mr.. Bolton was a member Of the Virginia
family of Bottoms, and came into his heir
ship of tho property IN question through an
aunt, a member of the Georgia family, who
died in Baltimore and who endeavored In
her will to split her portion of the property
into as many fractions as possible. Mr..
Bottoms interest probably would not have
amounted to ten square feet, but 1t was
necessary to perfect the title for the pur-
poses of the government that it should be
perfectly free from any possible claim
thereafter. Mr.. Bolton said that he very
willingly gave up any interest he might
have in the property, as he knew nothing OF
it and never considered that he had any
title to it.
THE PROPERTY SOLD.
Col Estill sold the three lots comprising
the Bolton property Co the government for
$4,000. He says the property is worth that
amount now.
There is history of the Bolton family In
the library of the Georgia Historical So
ciety, written by the Rev. Robert
Bolton Of New York. This is the only
copy known to be Ia existence. II
was secured by Col. Estiil and seat on tc
Washington as part evidence of the titles
BY some misunderstanding it was retained
in the treasury department, and there was
some trouble in securing its return, but il
ives received a short while ago by the So
ciety.
A Couple of Weddings.
Mr.. ]. J. johnson and Miss Agnes Lake
m -