The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-30
THE BALLS IN CONCLAVE
THEY SEE LITTLE TANGIBLE EVIL
DENCE OF THEIR GREAT WEALTH.
Estimates DsyfndIe by the Millions in
a Few Hours-Onicers Are
Selected.

The convocation of the heirs of Joseph
Ball has disbanded. It's members came here
burdened with dreams of wealth and they
departed weighted down with wisdom.
There were perhaps hundred of them and
they came all the way from the lead mines
of Missouri, the wheat fields of Iowa, the
piEe forests of Michigan and the coal re-
gions of Pennsylvania. There also came
j. e. Sutton, of Logansport, a newspaper
man with plug hat and Van Dyke, and
Judge James Breathitt, Kentucky gentle
man with ambition to uphold the dignity
Of his State. Mr. Sutton was the press
committee and he performed the arduous
duties Of that responsible post with dex-
terity, Diplomacy and tact. He seemed to
work night and day at his task and the
other Ballites regarded him with a species
of awe. When the reporters wanted to
know what the meeting was all about they
were referred to the handsome Mr.. Sutton,
and Mr.. Sutton would talk copiously but
mysteriously The Kentucky judge would
help him out by relating how he, a Re-
publican, was elected in Democratic
stronghold, and then Mr.. Sutton would
whisper an audible aside of what a great
orator was the gentleman from Kentucky.
Besides these TWO gentlemen there was
also a musician who would amuse the
Bailtes about the parlor piano and make
the instrument fairly dance.
AS for the others in the gathering they
seemed to be plain people enough who had
dropped their vocations to travel many
miles to see that they did not get left
when the great estate Of Ball was TO be
THE ESTIMATE DWINDLES.
. At first it was whispered about that this
estate had reached the portly sum of
800 100000, but it gradually shrunk in size
as the hours went by, and last night the
judge had fallen to the comparatively mod
est estimate of $1,00O,0O0, and he even seemed
doubtful that it was as large as that.
There might be something in this move
ment," said he, eff the heirs employ the
right kind of counsel. The most of the
property is, of course. beyond recovery
but a little of it might be divided up in
the end
The judge denied being an heir himself.
He was only here attending the meeting,
he said. Some of the others were asked as
to what they thought their chances were.
friend Sutton, who has got this gathering
together. He is one generation further off
what his share might be under favorable
conditions you might calculate it after
/ tell you my. share. I have figured the
thing out carefully Ball had twelve aunts,
his only relatives and one of these aunts
was my great-great-great-gr grandmother.
Basing the property as worth $4,000 900,
have found that my share is $14.35."
Some of the heirs must have paid $25 rail-
road fare, and they all settled their hotel
bills. which, for three days, amounted to
considerable. They have the consolation
that perhaps some day or other they or
their descendants may receive sums ranging
from several dollars to perhaps $40 or $25.
Before they left they formed permanent
organization by electing e. " Ball of
Brownstown, Ind. president; John s. Dom
ham, Cory Ind, first vice president; Henry
B. Roney, Chicago, second vice president.
and w. Cans, Mansfield o., secretary and
treasurer. The executive committee was
made to consist of j. M. Stuart, Monticello;
NJ. A. Bender. Akron, o.; Mr. Ball, Ottawa,
ILL.,, and w A. Sloan Media, Pa. The Off
GERS were directed to promptly and cheaply
investigate the estate and If there is any
thing in it for the heirs to commence pro-
ceedings to obtain it. Said Mr. Cans
I'VE will at least settle once for all the
story of great wealth that has been handed
down to the generations of the Balls