The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-05-10
Arrangements Now Completed for the
Sale of Land i'm Dallas
County, Iowa.
THE LIFE OF THOMAS D. GREGG
HE AND HIS BROTHER NOTED FOR
THEIR ECCENTRICITIES.
A Suicide I'm the Woods of Virginia
Recalled - Two Wills and
Fight over Estate.

For twenty years or more the financial
statements of the Indianapolis School Board
have contained items relating to the re-
oeipt and disbursement of the Gregg
fund" The fund represents the eccentrici-
ties Of Thomas d. Gregg. who for many
years prior to 1855 was a teacher in the
schools OF this city, and also his interest in
the matter OF education.
Although the school fund has been re-
oeiving the benefit of the bequest made
by Gregg, the matter has not been heard
of here for some time. and is now only re-
called by reason of the fact that part Of
the estate was in money, which was re-
ceIved by the board in 1878, and the re-
mainder in lands in Dallas county, Iowa.
which the board is now arranging to dis
pose of TO a purchaser in Illinois. The lat
ter found a cloud upon the title TO the land.
and the investigation resulting brings again
10 notice the interesting facts through
which four or five Indianapolis public
school teachers are each year assisted TO
take supplemental instruction in some of
the special schools and universities in the
country to the advantage of the pupils
attending the schools.
Thomas d. Gregg and his elder brother,
ID. H. Gregg, were born in Dallas county,
Iowa. Thomas Gregg same to Indian
arolis long before the war and for many
years taught in the public schools. He was
possessed of some property, and in 1855,
having family of his own. made Will
bequeathing his estate, three-hfths 10 the
city of indianapolis for the benefit of the
Tin col,a Tfk TAollo
Iowa, for the same purpose and one-fifth
to relatives. He left here with his brother
and went East, finally taking up his resi-
dence in Boston, Mass. His brother. with
whom he had some trouble, located in King
William county, Virginia. The brothers
seem TO have become bitter enemies, and in
1876 Thomas u. Gregg went to the. home
OF his brother in Virginia for a visit. He
was received with such welcome that before
he had been his brothers guest twenty
four hours he committed suicide.
A MOROSE MAN.
The brother D. III. Gregg, lived on a farm.
He was Of a morose disposition and seldom
exchanged even ordinary civilties with his
reighbors. He was a known miser and
puted to be very wealthy, denying himself
even necessities. 1t was said that In the cold
est weather he wore no hat, deeming ii an
expensive luxury and on his feet he wore
soles of old shoes tied on as sandals. He
lived alone save for one servant, an old
woman who died many years ago.
He was unaffected by his brothers death,
and il was said, sooner than common
decency warranted, placed the body In an
old pine box and shipped it to Boston,
which had been the dead mans home, the
fact being first made known 10 the misery
brother from letters and papers found IN
the clothes of the deceased
Shortly after this relatives entered the
courts and made claim TO the estate, III
being alleged that no will had been left
The matter of the death of Gregg and the
claims of relatives in the courts became
known to Square William Sullivan of
this city, who had been well acquainted
with Gregg and his business matters dur
ing his residence here. Then came letter
in response TO one he wrote asking for
information of will. Sullivan knew OF a
man in Minnesota who he thought could
tell the whereabouts of the will. and 1t
was not long until that document was In
possession of the Indianapolis school au-
thorites, it having been found, as squire
Sullivan surmised. that the greater part
of the estate had been willed TO the city
for the benefit of the public schools.
AFTER THE ESTATE.
The school authorities at once made ar
rangements 10 secure the share of the es-
| tate The will was contested both by the
heirs, upon the ground that Ii had been re-
voked, and by the authorities of Dallas
county Iowa, who produced what pur-
| ported TO be a later will. Persons and at
| torneys representing the city of Indianapo-
| lis, the county of Dallas, Iowa, and the
| relatives of Gregg got together in the
| woods of King William county, Virginia,
| and proceeded to try the case before
| Jury Before the conclusion of the trial diff
ficulties for each of the contesting parties
| appeared and compromise was nhaliy
| reached. BY this compromise indianapolis
| was TO get one-third. Dallas county, Iowa,
| one-third. and the relatives: jointly, one
| third The ready cash in the estate was
| divided and of this Indianapolis got '$S,WJ
| at once. The remainder of the estate was
| in notes and mortgages on land sold by
| Gregg. The notes were apportioned and TO
| Indianapolis fell notes given for land in
Iowa Nonpayment of the interest and
principal resulted in lawsuits and the vest
ment of the title in the Indianapolis pub
| lie schools. For many years the rentals
| have been added TO the $500. being desig-
| mated as the Gregg fund.- for which pro-
| vision had been made that no part OF the
| principal might be used. Under the will
| George Merritt was made trustee of the
| fund for the school authorities. From time
| 10 time portions of the real property have
| been sold and the proceeds turned into the
fund.
RECENT NEGOTIATIONS.
Recently negotiations for the sale of the
rest of the land resulted in agreement.
and the papers were drawn up, but when
| sent TO the prospective buyer his lawyers
| discovered the title was not entirely clear.
| They asked for complete records. and when
Albert Baker, as attorney for the School
Board, began an Investigation ii was found
| that the county records of King William
| county had been burned with the court
house in 1885. and all written proof of the
| transaction in 1878 destroyed.
Then began a hunt for witnesses who
knew of the agreement and the division.
and attorney at Richmond. Va, was
| employed His search was successful. and
| he sent 10 Indianapolis the affidavits which
| cleared the clouded title. These were sent
| 10 the prospective purchaser and proved 10
| be sufficient and yesterday the Richmond,
| Va, lawyer was advised of the fact.
| The land which Is now being sold will
| bring 10 the Gregg fund Sl2.S0. making
| the total fund about $4,000.
The interest of this fund. which is all
| that NAV be used, amounts 10 about 81 500
year, and this amount is expended each
| year in the supplemental education OF four