davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-09
AMERICANS rHREArENED IN PERU.
This Government May Have to Take Vigorous
Action to Enforce the NcCord claim.

Action to Enforce the NcCord IInim.
WASHINGTON, Dec. Shelters received by the
attorney Of Victor McCord, whose claim against
Peru has been n source Of considerable feeling
between that Government and the United States,
were presented 10 the State Department to-day.
They say that McCord, who IL in Peru, has re-
ceived threatening letters, one of which informs
him that he will be assassinated II he does not
leave the country before Christmas. McCord's
claim was based on his arrest. Imprisonment,
and crncl treatment by the Peruvian authori-
ties fourteen years ago, when he WAS "A railroad
engineer. Recently tho Peruvian Government,
after remaining unreprescnted in Washington
for "a long time, sent n Minister here with au-
thority TO settle the claim. His negotiations with
the State Department resulted in u demand by
Secretary sherman for the payment of the in
dennitj. hut the response of Peru has not been
made. Whether the United States viii tnke n
hint from Germany and proceed TO collect tho
amount of the indemnity demanded by n display
of force. is n question which Is being discussed
Informally by state Department officials. 'fle
will adhere to diplomatic means 10 secure the
m
A few weeks ago information was furnished
the State Department that McCOra's life had
been threatened. The repetition Of these threats
will probably result In representations 10 the
Peruvian Government that McCord Is in dan.
ger, and n request that all possible protection
the Administration will undoubtedly take Wig
orous action to secure the punishment OF tho
guilty persons and the payment of the in.
demnity.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-09
MAtaOn-HIadeu,

Miss Marie Louise Hidden and John Hall Wat.
son, Jr., were married yesterday afternoon In
st. Thomas's Church by Bishop Potter. assisted
by the Rev. j. Wesley Brown. The bride was
given away by her brother-in-law. WHEREFORE
Sully. Her sister. Miss Frances Edwards Hid
den. was maid of honor. Miss Sadie L. Hidden.
Miss Watson. and Miss Mabel Watson, sisters
of the bridegroom; Miss Alice Palmer. Miss
the bridesmaids. Rufus Graves was best man,
and Henry Stokes, Alfred II. Whiting. Jr.. VII.
liam Evans. Charles Stout, George Terry, and
the ceremony the brides sister. Mrs. WILDER.
force siully. gave y reception to relatives and
some immediate friends at the savoy. The
bridegroom is u son OF Mr.. and Mrs. John Hall
Watson OF OIL Fifth avenue.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-09
BROOKLYN POLICE VAOAYCIEs.

Commissioner WeIIes Temporarily Rnjoined
from FIilisG Them.
Police Commissioner Leonard r. Welles OF
Brooklyn may not be able to I'LL the vacancies
in the department, for Justice Van Wyck Of the
Supreme Court issued a temporary injunction
yesterday prohibiting him from making any
further appointments. His term will close at
the end OF the year. Tho injunction proceedings
were begun by Edward j.. O'Flynn. the former
Water Register and an active Democratic poll
The contention is that Brooklyn is virtually in
q bankrupt condition. and that the Police Conf
missioner has not a dollar in sight to provide
for the payment OF the salaries Of the prospec.
tive appointees.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-09
MAKING Es UNPOPULAR.
Ne0dlessly Brutal Order Issued BY tho spanish
Commander or Nuevitna.

HAVANA Dec. Z, via Key West, Dec. s.-The
military commander in Nuevitas. Puerto Prin-
cipe. has issued an order declaring that all
persons who discharge firearms or rockets
to produce alarm among the people whom the
town is surrounded by enemies shall be court
martialled and shot, and the same fate shall
be visited upon all those. without consid-
Grafton 10 age or sex, who under the same
circumstances, go out of their houses or merely
to their terraces.
II the siege should continue, the authorities
will communicate with the families and desig-
nate the person who will be allowed to go to
market and at what time he may go, but only
a little while. Those who disobcy this order
shall be shot.
All, those who hoist any flag except the ma
tional colors shall be shot, and eli the foreign
Consuls believe that this order will damage
their interests they may apply to me" says the
commander.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-09
American Forc.tr, Association.

WASHINGTON. Dec. s.-The American Forestry
Association held It's sixteenth annual meeting
to-day, the President, Gen. Francis II. Appleton
OF Boston. in tho chair. The report of the Ex-
ecutive Committee says that the owning OF
forest areas II being recognized ny various
States as nm essential part OF - state forest
policy. New York has voted 81 900, ZOO to In.
crease its forest reserve in the Adirondncks:
Pennsylvania has voted To ESTABLISH three for.
est reservations, TO be increased b. lands for.
feitcd 10 the State for non.pnymCnt of taxes: in
the West Virginia and Minnesota Legislatures
similar propositions were introduced, and in
Wisconsin a commission WAS created 10 lornu,
late the nc"cg"nfy fn""atry legislation
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-09
AIiss Winters's Suit for salary Against Richard
Mansfield.

WASHINGTON, Dec. s.-The case of Mary Sand.
ers Winters. the actress, against Richard Mans.
field, actor. author and manager, was handed
down from the Court Of Appeals to-day. The
suit was instituted by Miss Winters to recover
$1,000 salary, alleged to be due her. That sum
was awarded the plaintiff by n jury, but tho
Court OF Appeals. reversed the decision on the
ground that she had sued for only two weeks
salary.
Another suit was entered, and Mr.. Mansfield
avoided the service of papers by slipping from
the theatre after the Saturday night perform.
ance with a violin in his nand. the bailiff be.
lieyinE that he was u musician. An applica-
ton was then made for a writ OF mRndamus,
which vas denied by the court, An appeal was
taken. and the Court of Appeals handed down a
decision to-day, in which it intimated that
the writ, the latter would probably see fit to do
an
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-09
DIR. ROBINSON TO RESIGN.
NE VIII Cite the Congregation OF the New Yori
PresbyterIan Church Ilerore the R~reahytery.

Ne VIII Cite the CenErV6ation OF the new Work
Presbyterian Church Before the Pressytery.
AT a special meeting Of the congregation Of
the New York Presbyterian Chur6A last night
the Rev. Charles 8. Robinson announced that he
would resign the pastorate,a and that on Monday
next he would appear before the Preshytery
ana cite the congregation TO show cause why the
relations between himself and tho church should
be severed.
The trustees gave out a statement something
ike tl,is: :" We hope that DR.. Paxton will preach
next Sunday and the Sunday after that. IL was
originally arranged that he should preach for
four Sundays. aud we hope TINT he, will.
AS 10, DIR. Robinson, We have only TO
say that the parting tonight was OF
the most friendly character. There was no bit
terness md no recrimination All Indebtedness
between him and the church has been settled in
dnd, ana he has treated the church with the
The trustees declined to say whether this
meant that Or. Robinson had once moro donated
him.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-09
BREMER BEATEN BIZ o VOTES.
Sylvester a. MURPHY Elected President or the
Musical Union.

Sylvester a. Murphy Elected President or the
Musical Union.
It was a great day for the Irish in the Musical
Mutual Protective Union yesterday, for in the
annual election held at the Old Homestead at
Third avenue and Ninety-hrst street they elect
ed their man, Sylvester A. Murphy. President
on an independent ticket over the reg
ular nominee, Alexander Bremen, who has
held tho office for nine years. Many Of MUIR
phys associates on the ticket are Germans. but
1t Is practically a victory for the non-Germans.
az hitherto the Teutons here had everything
their own way in the union. 1t was an eI-
tremely close contest, and not until midnight
was the result announced: Murphy. 4s9;
Bremen, 1870.
Murphy Is q boss carpenter and a violinist. 1t
10 said that his election means a step toward
amalRanation with the labor unions. The Muir.
ply people claimed that nearly their entire
ticket was elected.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-09
IN Satching mr.. and the crowd roarod IN APP
pus W alleT was out and tearing along relent-
ioSSiy. The ncor0 at IL O'Clock WAS ns follows:

Sray, the colored man, continued TO labor
INN lor any other reason. AHe seemed ready 10
s,rJ,PP ~ any moment. ~Stephane's gait was In
Monday and Tuesday, and his iet-down was no.
sicea oy All. Beacon, with n sponge strapped
scLoss mis- mouth. rolled around as II he did not
have q friend In the world, and Enterman had
scarcely saiy strength enough left to keep his pedals
Miller's riding showed no let.up. and his
friends became more confident as each mile was
completed: Hale was easy In his mind, appar-
ehtiy, and expressed considerable admiration
LOT Miller. A midnight tho positions were un.
changed. The score at ! O'Clock was as follows:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-09
BIG 1xoREAsE IN MONET ORDERS.
The Christmas Rush Premises to Double Last
Years FiGurcs.

Signs Of the Christmas rush at the Post ONCE
are already TO be seen. The number Of missent
and misdirected letters in the Dead Letter Office
has increased so per cent. within the last ten
days. In the money order department business
has increased immensely, especially in foreign
money orders. Over 5000 money orders. repre-
senting in value a24, 554. went out on the st.
Paul yesterday. Most of them go to Norway
and Sweden. The next batch will go next week
to Germany; then como those for Great Britain
and Ireland, and last those for Franco.
There ia no better barometer OF the prosperity
of the community than the money order reports
from the Post Office. A tremendous increase In
the holiday report will be seen this year. On
Tuesday 10000 money orders were handled,
double the number handled on the correspond
ing day of 1896. or these IL, o we're domestic
orders, representing a money value Of $50, 144.
For the last six months thore has been an aver
nge Increase Of 1000 money orders a day over
the corresponding period Of last year.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-09
JOHN MURRAY MITCHELL,s REMEDY
He Introduces His Bill or last Session to Rs-
tabIIsh n Currency Reserve fund.

Ho Hhtrouuceh HIh Bit dI Inst SehaiOh 70 ..
tabIIsh n Currency Reserve Fund.
WASHINGTON. Dec. s.-Representative John
Murray Mitchell Of New York has reintroduCed
his bill OF last session to establish u currency
reserve fund. increasing the amount with which
1t shall be started to 1925. oOO.O 900. of which
800. 600, 900 shall be gold. From surplus mon
eys. as fast as they may be received, the fund is
500. 200, 900 less than the present available cash
balance of the Treasury. including the gold. re-
serve. The currency reserve fund. however, is to
be maintained separately from all other funds in
the Treasury. Greenbacks or silver certificates
redeemed in gold are TO be deposited In the
fund, and issued thence again only in exchange
for gold. Gold certificates are to be retired.
This Ia in substance, Mr.. Mitchell says, the
recommendation OF President Mckinley and
Secretary Gage on that subject.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-09
MI. ROUNDS nuRYED our.
Letters or Morse and PnradAy Concerning nm
Dream Cnblc LnsL.

COLLEGE PoINT. /. l., Dec. s,-The residence
of W. NJ. +. Rounds. on North Tenth street, was
destroyed by FIRE early this morning. The family
lost nearly all their wearing apparel. as well as
the o her contents OF he house. Mr.. Rounds Is
Inspector OF Jails and Pcnitentinrics, and is
Corresponding Secretary OF the State Prisons
Association. He had II collection OF autographs
ana iettrT5' i, na Enrg tmo Iorrcsp1mnet. he
ing OF an ocean cable.
Mr.. Rounds moved into the house three weeks
ngO, and had neglected TO have his insurance
transferred. His loss is over 81, 800. The
house was owned by Emil GrefT. whose loss is
placed at 81, 500.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-09
petitions only four have been broken up py

SPAIN"
ity or ndisposition 10 defend her intercsts in
nuba, Secretary Gage says that the responsibil
ny Tor the success OF the Lhufada expedition
Hlhy properly be fixed upon Spanish officials In
Suo9, who had been fully informed by the Span
Ish Legation. The Spanish. authorities have
FrStSsiedly asserted that all Of tho scaports OF
tuos were In their possession. On the other
nand, as illustrating tho vigilance Of tho Treas
Wy, department., Secretary Gage points out
mat from Key West, but ninety miles distant
from Cuba, no allegation has been made by
SSRanlsh authoritiea that. oven one successful
nIlDustering. expedition has left, though the
OF any dark night.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-09
WIRE MEN TO MEET TO-DAY.
IL Is Expected That They VIII Discuss tho
Proposed Consolidation or Interests.

II y" @TFVF ~ ~ WIT CHU
Proposed Consolidation or interests.
The arrival from Europe yesterday OF ]. Pier.
pont Morgan was followed by the report that
steps would be taken at once, under his dircc.
ton, TO effect tho consolidation of tho wire man.
ufacturing interests in the United States. In
substantiation OF tive report n despatch from
Worcester. Mass. last night said that Philip
v. Moen ana William T. Rico OF the Washburn
& Moon Manufacturing Company. and Gen.
Rock wood Hohr, its counsel, had left there for
New York 10 attend II meeting to-day OF steel
wire manufacturers.
dispatches from the West said that ]. w.
Calls of Chicago and ID. J. Wolf and Alfred
Clifford Of ST. Louis were on their way TO this
city for the S me purnOSC. Thu companies they
represent are among he largest wire manufac-
turing concerns in tn West.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-09
GAS VAR.
Signs OF an Agreement Between the Tract ana
the Ogden Gas Company.

CHICAGO. Dec. s.-War on dollar gas will not
be wagcd on tho west and south sides, at least
for some time 10 come. The bitter fight which
has been going on between the Ogden Gas Com
pany and the trust on the north side ever since
the former entered tho fold will not be extend
This was the announcement made to-day.
and 1t points to an agreement bet the
Chicago and Ogden Gas companies as TO q d.
vision Of territory which has been anything but
n paying investment TO the trust. The agree
ment leaves the west ard south side fields
company.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-09
CABLE CAR oVERrURys CAB.

wedding Guests spilled In Lexington Avenue
Two Women and the CAbman Injured.
While Ehler Osterholt OF 20 West l20th
street. his wife. and Miss Emma Idcn OF I'll
East Seventy-second street. were returning
early yesterday morning from tho kraemer-
DoelRer wedding in the Hotel Savoy. al which
they had been guests. "A Lexington venue cable
ear bumped into the cab at Sixtieih street and
upset II. Tho cabInan WAS sent flying to tho
sidewalk and was badly hurt. MI. Osterholt's
head wns cut and Miss lden was badly bruised.
The gripman. James Quirk, was arrested.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-09
movement to Repeal the civil service Law.

WASHINGTON. Dec. s.-A conference of friends
OF the movement to modify or repeal the Civil,
Service law will soon be held to determine upon
n lire Of policy and to organize forces for the
contest. Representative Pearson Of North
Carolina Is managing the matter. 1t is the in.
cnce non-political in character. The holiday
recess will probably cover the period from Dec.
Is 10 Ian. 9 or 3. Only the unexpected develop.
ment OF extraordinary business will change the
arrangement.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-09

WASHINGTON, Dec. s.-An order was issued
to-day Mt tho Post Office Department establish.
ing the fOllowing sub.stutiOns on Jan. /. 1903:
Al the corner of Barrett street and Bushwick
avenue, Brooklyn, and at the corner OF l4lst
street and Alexander avenue, New York. They
will sell STAMPS and conduct a registry and
money order business.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-09
Deepen the Hnrbor Channels.

A resolution was adopted by tho New York
Board OF Trade and Transportation yesterday
urging action by Congress toward deepening
and widening channels in New York hArbor.
and requesting the Mayor TO call IA meeting OF
representative citizens TO consider the matter.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-09
The Government TO Hid ut the Kansas Pacific
Sale.

WASHINGTON. Dec. s.-Chairman Gear of the
Senate Committee on Pacific Railroads to- day
introduced a bill drawn by the Attorney Gen
eral authorizing the Secretary of Treasury to
Knnsas Pacific road on Dee. IL and to clear of
all liens to those OF the Government.
The n necessary amount OF money is appropriated.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-09
7HE TROOPSHIp ATOCd.
No C.rnrna;Inn Of the Report That she ia
Gene Dawn mt Sea.

IIALIFAX, Dec. s.-The rumors Of tho loss Of
the troopship Avoca today caused uncasiness
in millt.r! and naval circles. Ii was reported
that u telegram had been received by the naval
authorities here that the trOopship. long over
due at Liverpool, haG gone down.
The dockyarG officials say, however, that they
have received no telegram whatever regarding
the Avoca, and that they do not for q moment
believe thai any accident has befallen her. The
Avoca has ]. 400 soldiers on board from jamaica,
dpstinnd ion Car O. Town.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-09
Fourth Cl.s. Postmaster. A~ppo,.,.a.

WASHINGTON. Dec. s.-Sixty-four fourth class
Postmasters were appointed to-day. among
them being tho following:
New York-A.exander. Geneses county. John v.
whitesidc; Chafec, Erie county. Luther Briggs; Plu-
tarch, Ulster county. Thomas GrAShaw; Rowland,
sullivan county. McKendree N. Dodge; Sloan. Erie
county. George Meaiway.
New Jersey-Pon.pton Plains, Morris county, Alfred
GlIaId
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-09
G.Id nesrrye sIss.IoI.usD,

W~AsmINGToN. Dee. She amount OF gold
coin nd bullion in the Treasury To-day was
Sl6s. ~, UGV. 81, which is the highest uoinI
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-09

WASHINGTON. Dec. s.-The Secretary OF tho
Treasury to-day appointed J. NJ. Dickey Of New.
burg Shipping Commissioner at New York, to
succeed Maurice J. Power. Dickey was In
dorscd by Senator Plat and members of the
Republican organization in New York.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-09

Georgia Lawyers Promise to Furnish Evidence
70 Convict an UnnameA Man.

to Convict an Unnamed Man.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Dec. s.-A law firm at
Rome, Ca, to-day wrote to Chief of Police Nc
Mahon of this city that the prisoner in the PEN
~itentiary OF TINT State, suspected of having as
sassinated John NJ. Clayton near here in 1888
Is undoubtedly guilty Of the crime. The letter
says the man confessed at the time the firm
1 1e,sn ser1in MIN a s on tne c naa the 10, fm ww whic bro me- IS
to furnish all the facts necessary to convict him
once he Is set free In that State. A reQuisition
will be placed In the hands of an officer as soon
us the mans term expires, and he win be brought
TO Arkansas and made TO stand trial for the muir.
der OF Col. Clayton.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-09
To InquIre Into the Dock commissioners Moau,
neBt TO Themselves.

The Board OF Directors OF tho Maritime Asso.
citation instructed its on Docks yes.
terday to inquire into tee scheme OF the present
Dock Commissioner TO erect "A monument To
themselves on the water front and 10 make re.
MORT.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-09

Frederick l.. jenkins, the veteran private :
rotary in he office OF tho Police SuperintcndcI l
IN Brooklyn, has resigned. Ills will now 20 ON
the police pension roll with a salary OF ~. $50
a year. which IL half the amount he has been re-
Celving.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-09
MRS. Hermann OsIrichs'- CoHanIsn.

There was 40 Improvement Yesterday in the
condition of Mrs. Hermann OclrichA, whose eve
was injured on Saturday by ~ falling tack. She
" still confined to her rnonl.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-09
The Yautlc Arrive, at Detroit.

WASHINGTON. Dec. s.-The old warship Yantic
Detroit tod y from Boston and was
turned over by the Govern nonI to the state OF
Tor the use vi ito naval militia.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-09
senator MoLuurln Ill with Typhoid.

WASHINGTON, Doc. s.-Senator McLaurip. the
Junior senator from South Carolina, is confined
to his home in this city from a mild attack OF
typhoid fever,
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-09

A frock coat is like a patent
medicine, good for both ex.
tremes of all cases.
It's becoming to tall and short
men alike.
It's the coat for christenings
and funerals.
It's correct in daylight and
darkness.
It's worn by rich and poor.
$40 to $32 gives you the
newest cloths and latest wrin.
kles. Velvet collars, if you want
to pay for them.
Fit of course.
We don't make to order, but
we make to fit.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-09
Flint'S Fine Furniture.
REVOLVING BOOKCASES,
tAntiqae OAK,
$780,.
~ WEST IBID STREET.
Brook rrout for the Aquarium.

Seven specklod brook trout were pres ntcl TO
the Aquarium yesterday by Howard T.. Frath.
ingham. u member OF the New York Stock EN.
change, who is also Secretary aud Treasurer Of
the Fish and Game Commission of New Jrrsr'.
The trout, which are about ten months -
range from four 10 five inches In length, ni' .
frnIu a lot Of 100, 900 with which the {, ~ o.
New Jersey.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-09
The name tells the story
"Tip-Top" umbrella, s..

81 for a silk opera hat may
seem high, but it's So less than
the ordinary price.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-09
ROGERS, PEET & Co.

Prince and broadway.
Warren and Broadway.
Thlrty-Beooud and Broadway.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-09

Our combined waist and shield
suit, makes dressing small boys
easy and economical; saves buy.
ing the waist; saves la~undrying.
Everything boys wear-any
kind Of boy.
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1897-07-04

Mr., James Patrick Ewing, a lineal
descendant OF the Irish, aod familiarity
known as Jimmie" yesterday re-
signed his position as stenographer for
Judge Tarsney aad vii leave in a few
days for the east to embark in more Ia.
cratiye business Jim is pleasant, active
and courteous young man and is re-
garded as one OF the best stenogra-
phers in the vest Mr. Ewing has
been connected with the courts for
several years, having been fsst APP
pointed in 1891 by Judge Clarke, after
which he was appointed by Dale aud
then by Tarsney. His many friends
wish him success and happiness in his
new undertaking
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1897-07-04
IMPORTANT DECISION.
Judge Tsrsney Holds That Contested
Property Cannot BE Taxed

In the district cour yesterday after
noon, Judge Tarsney, sitting for Jus.
tlce Dale, rendered decision that af-
feets many towns in Oklahoma The
case involved the tax titles TO the
Hanee lot on Second street, occupied
by Andy Frink. II will be remem-
bered that there were seven contest.
ants for this lot, including the city,
The city eventually won the case.
Meanwhile the county sold the lot to
Underwood for taxes and he attempted d
to hold 1t under a tax title.
Tersney held that the lot is still the
property OF the city; that the tAz
title is not good, and that the county
could not assess taxes while the prop
erty was in litigation.