The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1893-06-28

Dennis F. Ryan. John Deneen. Owen Hardi-
man. Thomas P. Kaville. and John P. Griffin
all from Corning. N. Y. were among the victims
killed at the ravenna horror. two Summers ago.
All the damage cases arising from the terrible
ACCIDENT have been settled. and IA Of the 10 death
claims amicably adjusted.
Shortly after the awful calamity. Hon. George
Raines. of Rochester. N. Y.-who. by the way.
is one of the ablest lawyers in the Empire State
was retained as attorney by the families of the
deceased men. Negotiations for settlement with
the Company were had from time to time. but
no agreement was ever reached. No suits were
commenced. because it was thought, or deemed
highly probable, at least that the Company. in
the face of the facts connected with the wreck.
would effect satisfactory compromise with the
claimants. ~ II i- ,
Thus matters continued until few weeks ago.
when Thomas F. Walsh. ESQ. of Cuyahogs Falls.
O..who had been industriously working for some
time to secure foothold. went to Corning and
succeeded in convincing the parties that their
interests would be better cared for with him.
Walsh. as administrator. He at once returned
to Ohio. armed with the necessary letters of en-
dorsement, went before Probate Judge Ingell
and made application to be appointed admins
traitor in all FIVE cases. The law firm of Foran
retained to assist Mr.. Raines. who came on from
Rochester to look after his interest in the pro-
| ceedings.
This preoipitated contest between the Walsh
and Raines parties in the Probate Court. the
former insisting that Walsh be the administra-
tor. while the latter as strongly urged the ap
pointment of W. J. Beckley. Esq. of this city.
Walsh, acting on the supposition that he was
to receive the appointment and to make sure OF
his plans. entered suits at once against the Com
pany, as administrator of the FIVE victims above
named, for $4,000 in each case. instructing the
Clerk not to issue summons until he. Walsh.
should be granted his letters of administration.
which he said would be forthcoming at once.
In the meantime three of the Corning parties
had withdrawn their consent to his appointment
claiming that matters had been misrepresented
to them by Walsh; and to still further compli-
cate matters. it was shown that Dennis Ryan had
been administrator of his sons estate for ovel
one year.
It is needless to say that no summons were ev-
er issued on the petitions thus filed.
Later on the mother of Keville came to Ra-
VIENNA. and yesterday had nearly concluded
settlement with the Company.
The outcome was that the request for Mr.
Beckley's appointment was withdrawn. the pro-
ceedings in the Portage Probate Court dismissed
and John S. Kennedy. City Clerk of Corning, N
Y. was appointed administrator of the estates
of Deneen' Griffin. and Hardman. and at oncs
entered suits against the Company for $4,000 il
/ each case. Dennis Ryan also filed petition 70
the same amount. making four cases aggregatinI
$4,000 claims against the R. R. Co.
1t was thought at one time that the Ryan cas-
was practically settled. but the minds of th
parties failed to meet and his auit WAS added Z,
the other three.
The Railroad people are willing to settle t
avoid litigation. but whether an agreement car
be reached, is question for the future.
The plainsifs are represented by Mr.. Raine.
and Foran, Starr. Schwan & Holcomb, and tn
defendant by Hon. M. Stuart. of this city.