The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-04-24
CLAIMANTS FOR MILLIONS.
Facts About the Minch and Metzinger Es
tates in Holland.

tates in Holland.
Before the Metzinger and Minch "heirs"
waste any more time and money in prosecut-
ing their claims to certain enormous estates
said to be situated in Holland, We desire.
says the New York Times, to direct their at
tention to something. The Met3inger "heirs"
believe they are very soon to obtain posses-
sion OF their estate OF 3240.000, 900. Tho
Cleveland Leader says
'The fortune is located in Holland, and Ia
waiting the perfecting of the international
legal requirements. and final proofs OF the
heirs. to be surrendered to the American
claimants It is estimated at S240, 900, 900.
1t is in charge of trustees, under the direct
supervision Of the Holland Government.
which exercises over the trust such control
rs the German Empire exercises over the
historical Guelph fund"
This is very good. continues the Times.
The property has grown 20 $24O. 900. .C0o. we
are told, from fortune OF $55 poo 900 left by
one Theobald Metzinger, who died a bachelor
in 174O. The leading "heirs" (there are
about 200 in alD appear to be bank officer
| in Pittsburg and his brother, who Is con-
l.ected with Pittsburg gas company. The
latter says:
1--WE shall lay the subject before the De-
partment OF State at Washington, and have
the Secretary make official representation OF
our rights to the Holland Government. Sena.
tor Quay and Congressman John Dalzell will
be retained as our legal representatives"
The Mirch estate Is only $50 900, 900. Three
brothers came to this country from Holland
''about 14O years ago." Two OF them were
drowned soon after their arrival, and the
other settled in the town Of Catskill, N. Y.
The descendants Of his two daughters now
claim the estate Of his father which has been
"neglected' for hundred years, more or
less. There are two groups Of heirs, one
led by resident of Jersey City and the
other by a Brooklyn policeman. Claim
ants are to be found in Hoboken, Newburg
and Binghamton. We are assured by one
Of our esteemed contemporaries that law
yer of this city brought back from Europe,
In 1879, documents showing" that "the Gov
ernment OF Holland had admitted the valid
ity OF the claims" of these 'heirs."
The Metzinger and Minch claimants should
read a report sent to the State Department
few years ago by our Minister to The Hague,
Mr.. Bell. It is this to which we direct their
attention. and il they shall induce Senator
Quay and Congressman Dalzsll to call upon
Mr.. Gresham in their interest, we presume
that the Secretary will lay the report before
these influential gentlemen.
Other claimants had been inquiring about
other mythical properties and their frequent
appeals had led the Minister to make an in
vestigation, Mr.. Bell wa convinced, he
wrote; that systematic fraud was being prac-
ticed upon Americans Shy scheming sharp
ers who make living by keeping alive and
warm the excitement about the existence OF
unclaimed estates in Holland for American
heirs" He had applied to the Government
| for information. and he set forth as follows
the result of this action:
SIT appears from the reply OF the Foreign
! Office that the legislation OF this country
| (Holland) has effectually and finally dis
posed of all such claims, even II inherently
| Just. which were not presented and proved
before the Commission of Liquidation estab-
| lished in 1852. There has, since 1852. been
! no such thing in Holland as an unclaimed
estate originating prior to 1852"
In another part Of the same report he de-
scribed the law Of 1852. which provided for
| the escheating of all unclaimed estates with
in specific time, and thus repeated the fore
| going assertion:
''The Iaw has effectually and finally dis
-p3sed of all unclaimed funds and estates In
| this country originating prior to March. 1852.
| There has, therefore, since 1852, been no such
| thing in Holland as an unclaimed estate or
| Iginating prior to that date"
We advise the Metzinger and Minch
"heirs' to become familiar with this docu-
ment. They can save timn and money by
| examining it. We presume they can pro-
cure O copy from the State department il
| they ask for it.