Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-19
HISTORY OF A PARK.
The Romance of a Vast Virginia
Estate Now Decided Away to The
HEIRS OF AN OLD-TIME GENERAL.
Granted for Bravery on Many Revolu-
tiOnary Field of Battle.
NEwSY NOTES FROM NEARBY TOWNS
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH

ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE pIspArcH.1
PARKERSBURG, Nov. 18.-The recording
within the past few days in Kanawha
county of two deeds for 923, 704 acres of land
in this State recalls the incidents in the life
OF General Swan, whose lands they were q
century ago, and closes an interesting series
OF events General Swan was. a Boston
merchant of prominence when the war of
American Independence began and called
him from his Office to the field. He fought
with such honor that he gained the commen-
dations of Washington and Lafayette and
earned the title of Major General.
With the coming of peace and the debts
incident thereto, General Swan again
showed his patriotism by giving most gener-
ousiy Of his property, beggaring himself in
so doing. In return for this, the House of
Burgesses of Virginia decided to him $780,
600 acres of land in Virginia and Kentucky,
part of which being in Lincoln, Logan, Nc
Dowell, Mercer and Wyoming counties Of
what is now West Virginia
General Swan then conceived the plan of
making of this wilderness one vast pleasure
ground, where he might end his days amid
a splendor that would rival that ofthe East.
To carry out his project he went to France,
and consulted with what nobility he had
acquaintance. Receiving the entree into
royal society, he induced its members to
buy largely of the stock he had issued for
his scheme, and mobiles, earls and dukes
rivaled each other in their liberal pur-
chases
In the meantime, dissipation brought to
General Swan many creditors. and he found
himself debtor to the amount of 5000, 900
francs and without credit. His creditors
demanded mortgage on his vast estates in
America, and when he refused they threw
him into prison, where IA years he enjoyed
luxury after luxury until with freedom he
found himself q friendless beggar upon the
streets of Paris. He soon died tragic
death, and when the news reached this
country the Legislature Of Virginia ap-
pointed John Dumas, of Philadelphia,
trustee to look after the interests of his
French heirs
In 1888 Dumas died, having burdened the
estate for 81, ,O00, 900, and in addition allowed
1t TO become forfeited to the State for taxes.
In 1856 Josiah Randall, father of Hon. Samuel
Randall, was made trustee, and ten years
later, when he died, his son, Josiah, was
appointed in his stead. He proved fail
ure, and in 1886 E. G. Butterick, of Charles
ton, succeeded him.
In the meantime squatters had settled
upon the land, and many conflicting claims
made 1t difficult for Butterick to bring mat
ters to settlement. In June, 1889, how
ever, his report was made to the United
States Court in session here, and decree
was rendered directing John R. Reid, of
Philadelphia, to subject the lands to sale
The heirs were the purchasers and the deeds
just recorded, after a century of contention,
places the titles to the lands in new hands.
This territory is now being rapidly de-
veloped, and the dream of General Swan
bids fair to be realized, though not in the
way he anticipated.