Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-12
POTOMAC FLATS CASE
CLOSE OF LITIGATION IN LOCAL
COURTS.
Claimants Accept Appraisement Made
by the Government Experts-
Action Taken Today.

The famous Potomac flats case was
finally terminated. so far as the courts are
! concerned, at o'clock this afternoon. The
issue. which has been In litigation for many
years. will now be referred to Congress
with a Recommendation that an appropria-
ton be made to reimburse private owners
for structures they have erected on river
front property, the title to which the SUI
preme Court of the United States has de-
clared to be vested IN the United States
The Supreme Court Of the District vt CO.
iumbia. sitting in general term. with Jus
tees Hagner. Clabaugh and Barnard on
the bench. yesterday. as stated in The
Star, began the hearing in connection with
the claim Of Richard J. Beall for large
sum OF money as rental value OF certain
structures. which he contended belonged
to him. These structures. 1t Is alleged,
were located on lot 2. square IL. on the
10th streets. and Mr.. Beau claimed rental
rom 1SS2. when. he says. the government
took possession. until 1896. when an APP
propriation was made to pay for the land.
this afternoon Attorney Cole announced
that during the recess counsel had reached
an agreement. by the terms of which Mr.
Beall is to accept $1,000 in full settlement
of his claim. The government will pay this
amount, it was added. In order that the Po-
tomac fats case may be finally ended with
out further delay.
The court in general term will meet at
IL o'clock Saturday morning to sign the
final decree.
Claimants Agree.
All the claimants have now signified their
willingness to accept the appraisement by
the governments experts of the value OF
the wharf property and structures The
total appraisement amounts to about $685.
600, and Congress will be asked to make an
appropriation to cover the same.
In connection with the hearing concluded
this afternoon. Attorneys c. c. Cole and
r. Golden Donaldson appeared for the gov
eminent and Attorneys John Ridout and
Robert Christy for the Claimant.
1t seems that during the taking OF testi-
mony in the Beall phase OF the case one
OF the witnesses for the government de-
clared that he had shot ducks on the very
ground upon which Mr.. Beal claimed his
houses had stood. After the agreement had
been reached this afternoon Attorney Rid
out was granted permission to read to the
court the cross-examination Of the witness
referred to. 1t follows:
| By Attorney Ridout-"What was the size
OF the gun with which you shot ducks. ETC.,
in the vicinity Of this land!'
| in the bore" -
'How much did It weigh?'
Tho whole gun. stock and all. weighed
125 pounds.
What was the charge Of shot It carried %
1T carried one pound and q half. but
never shot with more than one pound and
q quarter, because It kicked too hard, and
had to bundle up some clothes and put
back Of It,"
How many blackbirds did you say
awhile ago you killed at one shot?'
II believe this man can prove 1t {referrtng
to one Of the witnesses presently that l
| picked - birds up from one shot. An old
man named Griffin was right there when
1 counted them-and 1 didn't get all OF
them. some got away
How far did your gun carry. that Is,
how many yards?"
Zone hundred yards"
1.-THE court is still with you,' remarked
Justice Hagner. smiling, at the conclusion
Of the reading OF the foregoing.