The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-08-26
IN A CONTEST FOR MILLIONS.
An old Union Pacific bond Claim
Against the Government.
Frnm the Chicaeo TrIhune.


Against the Government.
From the Chicago Tribune
Quincy, III, Aug. "a score and more
of Quincy men are investing money in
project to draw 1894, 900 600 out of the Unit
ed States treasury. at Washington. All
they need they say, is an order from
court of competent jurisdiction to get this
money. Most of them have gone in the
movement simply as an investment It's
a hundred to one shot with all of them,
as they have invested their money on the
proposition that if the case wins they will
get 500 for every dollar they put in 90
help in the prosecution of the suit.
None of the Quincy men who have in
vested money in the proposition cares TO
have his identity known, although the list
is said 10 include the names of some or
the most prominent business men in the
city. Albert Morgan of Decatur has been
in the city for some time working up the
scheme.
The money which they have put in is
to be used in pushing a lawsuit against
the government for the collection of SOL
100000 of Union Pacific first mortgage
bonds issued at the time of the construc-
ton of that railroad The bonds have
matured. and with accumulated interest
supposed to be hidden away somewhere
in the vaults of the treasury at Washing
ton, and the question is 90 find them.
Win or lose, however, the story is inter
esting Notwithstanding its extravagant
nature. 1t commences back In the COS.
Charles Durkey was then Governor of
Utah, and the Union Pacific Railroad was
being built. He was wealthy man, and
went West with half million dollars in
gold. He started a bank and it was
supposed. so the story goes, acting for
himself and others, bought up the con-
struction bonds Of the Union Pacific, the
government having authorized the road to
issue bonds to the amount of $4,000 mile
The government advanced $50,OO0,OO0 10
aid in the construction of the road and
took a second mortgage. the construct ton
bonds being the prior lien.
Some twenty years or so ago Durkey
started East, but died suddenly in Omaha
He was supposed to be a millionaire sew
eral times over, but when his estate was
probated he was found to have only $4,000
That was turned over to his widow, and
later she became insane and died in an
asylum.
During the administra ion of President
Arthur a bank examiner discovered, it is
claimed in the vaults of the Metropolitan
Bank of New York S54O00OC0 of Union Pa
cifc bonds issued 10 Charles Durkey, and
which had been placed in the bank as col
lateral for loans.
Folger of New York was then Secretary
of the Treasury, and when the find was
reported to him, it is said that he ordered
the bonds transferred TO the Treasury at
Washington, the result being that the bank
closed its doors. The bonds so the story
goes had been issued to Charles Durkey
but had never been Endorsed by him.
e Durkey was dead by this time, but the
publicity given TO the find in the bank
hfG hp.r hn -tn
He had no children, but left a number of
Indirect heirs, among them a Mr. Blais-
dell, then of Champaign, Ill, who had
married a grandniece. lie saw big posi-
bilities in the thing and after long eff
forts secured power of attorney from the
other heirs, twenty-five in number to
prosecute a suit for the payment of the
bonds
The heirs are all poor. and after spend
ing all their money finally hit on the
scheme broached in Quincy for raising
money to prosecute the suit 1t is sort
of stock company. Every man who puts
money in il is given a certificate guaran-
teering him 500 for S1-provided they get
the money out of the Treasury.
The SUIT has been pending for several
years The story goes that one time when
MIR. Blaisdell was in Washington, he act
ually had he bonds in his hands, and at
the request of Judge Lawrence of Ohio,
=
he gave them back. He asked for a re-
cejpi for the bonds, and Secretary Folger
is said TO have instructed Judge Lawrence
10 give one. Judge Lawrence stated 10
Mr. Blaisde8 so the heirs assert, that he
was busy JUST a that time, ara would
forward the receipt by mail. Then came
one delay after another. Lawrence went
cut of Office and thi lgs ran along until
last April when, after months OF persua-
sion. u is said that Lawrence agreed TO be
in Washington and make MS Statement Of
what had happ4nod on April 3. he day
that Judge Lawrence was 10 leave for
WASHINGTON. he died suddenly
The death of Judge Lawrence threw
everything in the air again, for in the
meantime the bonds had disappeared, and
no one knows where they are hidden
away in the treasury vaults al Washing.
tor
The ran 1catious Of the story extond al
over The country, acd u - a fascinating
ta'c. nut how much money there IS in it Is
another story.
The atorncys for The heirs are working
for a cortinecct fee, a big sum n thcy
win. ana nothing " they lose, bur their
expenses must o. paid, and the money
now being coulrluutcd 81 for expenses.
THE Tapir-iIow on earth do you man
age to 90 at such a pace without any
apparent eSsruon2
Tne AlLeat,r-Im an automobile. Won
a1uae. ] just swallowed an electric eel
Judge.
-AI.arcol EeaH-n why Darius.
you seem fairly chilled through"