The morning call., 1891-02-05
TERRILL'S GOOD LUCK
Three Hundred Thousand Dollars
i'm His Pocket.
He and Slaven Made the Coin in Panama.
Their Partnership Was Denied, but
Terrill Forced Compromise.

The usual group of contractors stood in
front of Pine-street restaurant yesterday
about the hour of noon, discussing the top
les of the day, when Attorney Z. f. Preston
was seen hurrying down the tEoroughfRre,
and with a genial "How are you, gentle
?" passed into his Office.
"Preston 5 looking very happy to-day"
remarked one of the group, land the truth
is he has very good cause. Last night he
returned from New York, where he went
to try Terrills suit against Slaven, and it is
whispered about that the matter was COM
promised for S5O0Ct0, and, as Preston wa,
working On contingent fee. yon know
about how things stand for him."
Everybody knows plain, matter-of-fact C.
c. Tenll Twenty years ago he took up
his abode in California and ever since has
carrie d on his business Of contracting, hay
ing been party to some of the vaStest deals
in the history Of San Francisco. His latest
piece of work is the Flood Building on Mar
ket and Fourth streets, and many other
handsome buildings in this city attest the
skill OF his workmanship. But he has left for
New York now, and, since he has acquired
fabulous wealth, will probably shake" his
old acquaintance for the gen ial surround
ings of the Empire City.
WELL KNOWN HERE.
Terrill is best knewn for his connection
with Panama Canal dredging. Two men,
Heurne and Lynch, went to the scene of
Frances prodigious enterprise at the time of
Its inception. and there saw the advantage
TO be gained by utilizing certain dredging
machine IN constructing the canal, and, re-
turning to San francisco, they, with Slaven
Bros, determined 10 organize corporation
for the purpose of contracting with the Pan
anna Canal Company for this work
san Francisco, however, did not furnish
sufficient CAPITAL, and the enterprising con-
tractors repaired to New York to carry out
their purposes. There a powerful cOmbina-
ton was formed, known as the American
Contracting and Dredging Company. Its
stock paid heavy dividends and the men,
bers became, one and all, very wealthy.
Siaven was President of the corporation,
but as Terrill claimed, he did nothing in
New \ Ork that was not by virtue of his CO.
partnership with the latter in San Fran
cisco.
COMPROMISE INFECTED.
After successful career, Moses A. Sla-
ven, the alleged partner of Ierrill, died. and
his executor and eXecutriX, II. Il. and Ellen
A. Siaven, denied that ally partnership had
existed.
Terrill Immediately began suit in New
4oTk TO establish tile partnership and pro-
cure an accounting, and months were spent
by a commission in this city taking testi-
mony. Greed Raymond, who was interested
as an attorney IN the case, had frequently
advised his clients that Terrili had n good
case. and the Slaven representatives showed
a disposition to compromise Nothing was
done, however, until Preston, TerrilPs at
torney, went East few weeks ago. when,
as is understood, a satisfactory agreement
was arrived at by the parties.
At any rate Preston has about him all the
air of victor, and it is known that Mrs
Terrill has been summoned East by tele
gram from her spouse.