The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-08-16
MAY INHERIT VAST ESTATE.
One OF Astoria's Businessmen Is Heir To
Part OF Trinity Church Property.

II the courts In New York are gener-
Gus W. II. Vincent the window dresser
in Mayor Wise's store, win be the veal
thiest man in Astoria. Should he come
into his own az one Of the direct heirs Of
ancka Bogardus IL is estimated that his
portion will be at least s500,000. He il
entitled to this wealth by being one Of
the heirs to the property on which Trim
ity Episcopal Church Of New York City.
stands, and which Il now In the courts
for adjustment.
Mr. Vincent has known Of the likely.
hood OF his inheriting vast sum for
long time, 50 long In fact, that be has
got used TO this sort OF castle in the
air and for years il has meant but little
to him. But from various reports now
II seems that the ease will be settled and
that the heirs will get the estate.
But there are good many heirs to
this estate and they are scattered all
over the country. The number Is placed
at 1000 and IL will be hard work for the
attorneys to find them all II will also
be a stupendous task to look over all
the marriage, death and birth records OF
the heirs to establish just claims and it
will take force Of detectives at work
TO prevent imposters from trumping up
some sort Of descendancy in order TO
get chance at the wealth.
| The exact amount Of the estate is not
known but Is years ago the Trinity
lChnrch property was valued at $780,
1000, 900. Since that time the property
arounl II has risen in value. The
lchurch is located in the richest part of
the richest city Of the world. 1t is pro-
badly worth far over billion dollars at
the present time. Placed as it is, right
In the crowded part OF Wall street. where
1.-The trade OF the world is transacted. lit
exact value can not be determined But
the heirs to the property probably dc
not care for an exact valuation; it will
be sufficient enough to them to get what
Is their due.
"Yes, have known about the affair
for long time said Mr.. Vincent yes
terday, "but it has been so long now
that | have ceased to pay much atten
tion to 1t except to note the progress OF
the case from time to time. 1t has gone
rather slowly and of course has not been
furnished yet, but at the present time
it looks like it will reach favorable
conclusion. There are great many heirs
2000, but the value Of the estate is great
enough to make them all rich for the
rest of their lives"
The question OF the court to decide
Is the legality of the lease and the title
to the property, Mr. Vincent is a d.
rect descendant Of Aneka Bogarlus who
received the grant OF land on which the
church is built from the Queen of Hol
land. Mr.. Vincent's mothers father
was Isaac Peterson, who was grand
son of Aneka Bogardus.
The land was leased to the Indians fol-
90 years the consideration being l0C
bushels of corn each year. In some way
in violation Of the lease Trinity Church
got the property and here the question
of right deyolves; whether the churcl
has just claim to the land and car
show an unbroken title The treaty
and lease with the Indians is also knot,
ty question which the lawyers have beer
lighting about for long time,
But the case is reported to be near it:
end after S5 years of litigation and Mr.
Vincent's friends hope that he may be
substantially recognized when the di.
vision of the estate ia male