The Washington times., 1909-04-01
AWAIT THEIR SHARE
OF sitter MILLIONS
Two Washington Families
Expect Early Distribution
of Vast Estate.

Two Washingtopians are today wait
ing anxiously for a bit of Hateful news
that they expect will lift them and
their families into the millionaire class.
They are James Kramer. a sergeant of
police. stationed at the Eighth Pre-
cinct, and Henry D. Sitter, a retired
lawyer, of 800 Eighth street northeast,
direct heirs of Baron Won Sitter an
eccentric German nobleman, who died
more than a century ago, leaving an
estate valued at S10O,O00000 and up
ward
These heirs have waited for seven
years, ever since the search was started
10 prove their claim to this property.
Although both men knew of this vast
estate in the Fatherland years ago-in
fact, came to them as a matter of fam
lily tradition-the attempt to establish
their right to share in it along with the
other legal heirs was not begun until
about seven years ago.
Lawyers Begin Inquiry.
Then three American lawyers them
selves among the hairs, journeyed to
Germany in quest OF the titles to the
Won Sitter estate. They were empower
ed to act for all the American heirs,
numbering about 135. Besides the Ger
man estate. the Washington residents
lay claim to share in property in the
heart or Baltimore. which includes the
present site of Ford's Opera House,
Mechanics Hall, Lafayette Hotel. Eu
tab House, and ether valuable property.
How the vast fortune has been pre-
served for heirs Of this generation reads
like the story Of Monte CristO. II
comes through the sons OF the original
nrnnn nnhlRm1
whose religious seal was carried to the
point of ecCentricity- The sons, Died
erich and Matthias Won Sitter. did not
share in their fathers religious views,
and were disinherited by him.
Accounting Delayed GO Years.
On the death Of the father. it was
found that his will provided that the
estate should not be settled for ninety
nine years. AS this provision would bar
them from sharing in the estate of
their parent, the sons moved TO this |
country and settled IN Baltimore. They J
prospered and married
one OF the daughters of DiedeTlCh Won
Sitter married Baltlmorean named I
Cooper, and this daughter whose Chris |
tian name was Hager, was the mother !
of several children, among them being /
the grandmother Of Sergeant Kramer. |
Henry ID. Sitter, of this city, was born |
in Baltimore, and is a direct descendant /
Of Matthias Won Sluer.
The prospect OF sharing IN TINS sitter /
estate both IN Baltimore and Germany. |
has for years been a family tradition,
said Mr.. Sitter today az Lis modest 1
Isaac Sitter, Of Baltimore, and Y. II. I
Brown wealthy wholesale grocer OF /
that city, and one of the heirs, always 4
believed in their right TO this inherit /
ance.
Historic Baltimore Family.
My side Of the family is descended |
from Matthias Won Sitter, after whom }
Matthias Point, Baltimore, is named. !.
The property left by the two brothers /
comprises some Of the richest realty in /
Baltimore"
Sergeant Kramers story differs in no /
essential particular from that of Mr.. I
Sitter. He intimated that when the 4
lOng-looked-for wealth came II would .
ind him ready 20 retire from his police
honors, prepared 10 spend some of the
money in case and travel
Yes, said Sergeant Kramer smil-
ingly this morning at his home, 239
Twelfth street southeast. Il am conf .
dent that il is now only a matter Of q
short time before we viii all hear the .
welcome news There can be no doubt .
about the status Of our inheritance 1 +
have recently received information that I
leaves no doubt Of the existence of /
the Won Sitter estates and OF the val
idity Of the claim we make for a share
in them.
Mrs Kramer shares her husbands
optimism, and declares that she will be
fully prepared 10 aid in the spending
when the fortune arrives. The couple
have ten children.
Besides Sergeant Kramer and Henry
d sitter and their families, the other
American heirs 10 the fortune are
Olivia Kramer. Clarence Kramer. sam (
uel Kramer, and Emory Kramer of
this city; Edward Hess, Isaac Hess
" llilsm Hess. and V r Brown. OF
Baltimore: Mrs. l.. r. Straw and Rob
ert Stilz. OF PittsbuPg; Il. Hess, Of
Marysville, Ohio.