The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-07-28
WHOOVNS NSLIBERTYBELL
Three Women to Ask For an Injunc-
tion Against Junketings.
CLAIM IT BELONGS TO THEM

Are Descendants OF John W.lthank,
Who Made the New Bell. and Say
the Old One Was Given to Him in
1895 as Part Payment
Philadelphia, July 2f-Philadc'Dhla
doesn't own It's most treasured posses
sion. the old Liberty Bell. At least
that Is the contention Of Mrs. James
McCioskey. Of Broad and Rockland
streets; Mrs. sydney Wright, of Ger
mantown. and a maiden lady residing
In Brooklyn whose name is not given
who are respectively grandnieces and
niece. descendants and heirs OF JOhr
Wiltbank. They say they own the bell
claim that they can easily prove their
claim. and have instructed their law
yers Magistrate jams +. German and
II. Gilbert Cassidy. 70 restrain coun-
ellis from sending the famous iron
tongued proclaimer OF liberty on any
more lunketfng tours
Briefly stated. the claim OF the three
women Is that the old cracked bell was
given 70 John Wiltbank .by councils In
part payment OF a bill OF sllS0 for
casting a new bell. which now hangs
In the town hall al Germantown The
sum OF 900 Topped from the bill By
Wlltbank in 1895 represents the value
which the city fathers placed on the
old bell. In their eyes It was just junk,
and nothing more. The three claim
ants say that they do not intend 10
take the mute but precious relic from
the city, but as rightful owners arc
determined to put stop 70 its further
carting about the country.
Magistrate German. in explaining
the attitude Of his clients. said:
"The three women who are prepared
to assert that the bell is their own per-
sonal property are thoroughly patri-
otlc and have 40 desire to remove the
bell from the custody OF the city OF
Philadelphia. They are fearful. how
ever. that in some Of the iunketing ex-
cursions around the country the bell
may be injured. and for this reason
they are prepared 10 take the requisite
steps 10 stop this reckless carting OF
the bell around II it becomes neces-
sary.
Il know Il will occasion much sur
prise when T say that the bell does not
belong TO the city and IS as much the
property OF our clients as a pair Of old
diamonds or any other family heir
loom. Their right to the old emblem
dates back to the casting Of the new
bell after the Liberty Bell became
cracked. and is very easy Of proOf
"In the first place It IS an erroneous
supposition that the bell became
cracked in tolIing on the death ol
Chief Justice Marshall in 1885 As a
matter Of fact. the damage was done
several years prior TO that date, when
the bell was sounding forth joyous
peals in celebration OF the visit OF Cen
eral Lafayette. The general learned OF
the accident, and not only declared
that the bell should be recast, but Of
fered to defrsy the cost himself The
city and nation refused. but later coun-
ellis made an appropriation OF sllSOO
for the casting OF new bell. The con-
tract was given to John Wiltbank, with
the understanding that he should take
the old and cracked bell in part pay
ment. and should throw OF $500 from
his bill The new bell was cast and
now hangs in the town hall at German
town.
"Wltbank. in rendering his bill,
said: L will not destroy that bell
Surely some day Philadelphia viii re-
member it for what it really IS Wilt
bank could have destroyed 1t as a piece
OF Junk had he so desired. The metal
was valuable. and councils In that day
apparently regarded It as little more
than old metal Wiltbank allowed the
bell to remain in the possession OF the
city from patriotic motives, but nc
never relinquished his claim to Il. The
claim. OF course, passed TO his heirs
who are now prepared to again save
the priceless treasure from damage IN
innumerable iunketing excursions.