The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-06-26
Six Sets Of Heirs Are Contest
ing for Il in the Courts.
WIDOW APPEARS ON SCENE
Hs Made Lucky Strike ln Iron Ore Land
and Left FTopaTiy Valued at
100000.

Duluth. MINI. June 2s.-The story be-
hind the legal fight involving tho estate
OF the late Johann Mueller is an inter-
ssting one Mueller died In West Su-
perfo (Wis.) hospital. and the expense OF
his care at the institution was borne by
the local authorities. because he was sup
posed TO be a pauper. but he left big
estate. which is now being fought over by
six sets of heirs.
Johann Mueller came to this country
from Germany In 1872 and went at once
to Detroit. where he worked at his trade
OF stone mason.
CLAIMS TO BE HIS WIDOW.
has appeared since his death and she
claims to be his legal widow. According
10 the story from the plaintiffs side OF
the case Mueller brought q wife with him
to this country.
Mr.. and Mrs. Mueller lived together
pleasantly enough for two years. Then
a shadow came between them. Among
their neighbors was family consisting
Of husband and wife ana two small chill
dren. The woman was handsome and
Mueller was fascinated by her. The name
Is withheld for the reason that she Is now
a wealthy and respected old lady OF De-
troit. The publication of her name In
this connection would create q profound
sensation In one OF the most aristocratic
quarters Of that city.
Her husband and Mueller worked to-
gether from 1872 to 1874 on the same
building. but In later years the former
became contractor and accumulated a
fortune. Schmidt. as he may be called,
and Mueller were friends as well as
neighbors. But after a time Schmidt
caught his wife flirting with Mueller. He
said nothing but watched and waited.
Finding. as he believed. his suspicious
well grounded. he taxed Mueller with
perfdy and they were friends no longer.
LIFE THREATENED. HE FLED.
Schmidt watched his wife but she
seemed to have no thought OF Mueller.
One day Schmidt became intoxicated
and created a scene at his home. Then
ne seized a revolver and started out TO
find Mueller Some one warned Mueller
and he fed the city. That was IN 1874.
His wife heard no more of him until his
death in the hospital In West Superior
on Dec. 2s. 1898.
II is alleged that Mueller lived for
long time I'm Chicago and the Twin Cities
before coming TO Duluth, about 1890 and
It is believed that ne lived under an
assumed name for fear that Schmidt
would follow him. But Mueller certainly
used his real name here. He worked at
his trade and conducted himself as a good
citizen, SO far as known.
HOW HE MADE HIS WEALTH
Soon after coming here he took pre-
emption claim on 100 acres OF land on the
Mesaba range. II was within the iron
belt. but at that time II was supposed
to be valuable only for Its timber. He
sold the timber. II is said. for $1,000. and
later gave options on II to iron ore pros
pectors. While only superficial pros
pecting was done on Mueller's land, II is
said that he suspected great possibilities
of wealth beneath the surface. 1t is now
claimed that one-fourth of the leo acres Is
worth anywhere from $4,000 to $500, 900.
The other three-fourths have not been
explored at all. The woman. Katherine
Mueller, who asserts she is Mueller's
widow, claims the property for herself
and her six children. Until some time
after his death IL was not suspected that
he had been married.