The San Francisco call., 1901-12-22

Ichabod Norton was one Of the many
ship owners Of New England who suf-
fered from the activity Of the tricolor
privateersmen during the troubles be
tween France and the new republic fol-
lowing the Revolution. When France in
1903 paid over to the United States some
$4,000. 600 in settlement of numerous
claims q number Of the sufferers received
compensation. Ship Owner Norton was
a heavy loser, but the record shows he
cid not benefit by the indemnity.
His granddaughter, Thomas B. Norton Of
Plainsburg, Merced County, who is now
more than Sc years old, learned of
Madame Nordica's move and decided to
follow suit. The diva is a grandniece Of
Ichabod Norton.
On account of his years the Californian
claimant has assigned all of his interests
to his daughter-in-law, Mrs. Norton Of
this city. The transfer was made to-day,
and the preparation of the papers to be
filed with the United States Court Of
Claims has been commenced.
The Norton claim now amounts to about
$2,000,000. Mrs Norton is a widow, and
since her husbands death has been a
saleswoman in Standeford's candy store
Ichabod Norton figures as her great
granduncle-in-law.
'I have placed all Of the papers in At
torney Dodge's hands" she said, "and
.s's-'5'-sS'ss-s
certain contract for the supply of salt and
fresh water and power.
The contract was entered into before the
Piedmont and Mountain View Railway
was absorbed by the Oakland Transit
Company, though it was continued a short
time by the latter corporation. The agree
nent entered into obligated the railway
companies to furnish for a period of fif-
teen years as much salt water as will be
be required by the bath company to fill
its swimming tanks and much steam
as is needed to heat the water and supply
the steam baths. The salt water was to
be pumped from Lake Merritt or beyond
the Twelfth-street dam from the estuary
by means Of power furnished by the rail-
way company.
Another part Of the agreement includes
an obligation to supply power to pump
fresh water from a well on land
near the power-house, and in the event
Of its efficiency and it becoming necessary
to purchase water from another company
the railway company must pay two-fifths
Of the cost thus incurred. For this SER
vice the bath company agreed to pay s. a
month.
The agreement was entered into April
], 1885, having appended to it the sigma
lures of Charles P. Bishop, president Of
the Piedmont and Mountain View Rail
way, and Ira Bishop. president of the
Piedmont Baths and Power Company. The
name Of Daniel Grant is signed s secre-
tary Of both companies, showing the close
relationship between the two corporations.
About July IA, 189S-just after the Pied
mont road was absorbed by the Transit
Company-the contract was arbitrarily
abIogated, so the plaintiffs allege. The
railway company refused to further fur
nish power or heat or water according to
agreement, and particularly declined to
pay its portion Of the purchase price OF
fresh water.
BY reason Of the failure Of the defend
ants to carry out their obligations the
plaintiffs allege that the baths upon
which they have expended $150,OOO have
been rendered vaIueless. To compensate te
for this alleged loss the plaintiffs demand
that the defendants be required either TO
abide by the terms Of the agreement or
ma 500 G00 in damages