The Washington times., 1913-12-13
WIDOW TO FIGHT
TO RETAIN HOME
"Queen of Killarney Castle on
the HiII' Finds Suit Is Raised
Over Ownership.

NEW YORK, Dec. 1S.-Mrs. Margaret
McGrath, Queen of Killarney Castle
on the Hill," group of three one-story
frame houses perciied on a rock thirty
feet above the southwest corner of
West Sixty-fifth street and West End
avenue, has been called upon to defend
her citadel against the assault of
Charles B. Appleby, a wealthy real es-
tate owner.
Mrs. McGrath has called 800 West
Sixty-fifth street, one of the group, her
home for twenty-five years, and is pre-
pared to defend it with her last dollar
and by force if necessary. Mr.. Appieby
says Mrs. McGrath is laboring unaser a
delusion, and has asked the law to
compel her to move.
Mr.. Appleby asserts he purchased the
lot in 1876, and, only that he has paid
about it. He did not know there was a
house on the place until he had an op-
portunity to sell it for $1,000 last sum-
mer Then title company, in making
a search, discovered the castle and
the queen"
Several days afterward man
Mrs. McGrath slip of paper. 1t bore
the seal of the city court, and told her
that in ten days she must leave the
home.
What's it all about?'' inquired the
woman. Haven't / lived here there
ban buy the place from 'Hughey'
Nevins. him whose widow is livin next
door this blessed minute? Why. all the
childer' were born and raised here
eight of them. Tis my home. and why
should l be leavin ?''
Margaret McGrath, a daughter, pre-
vailed on her mother to see a lawyer.
and when Mr.. Appleby brought action
for dispossession through Cannon &
Cannon, of 135 Broadway, Herman w.
Witte, of a3l Fox street, represented
Mrs. McGrath. The action was tried
last July and was Won by Mrs. Nc
Grath. Judge Noonan decided that Mr..
Applyby had shown record of owner
ship, bat he had not established pos
session. Mrs. McGrath could not pro-
duce "A deed. but told the judge it had
been destroyed by a cyclone on October
Il. 1890. that partly wrecked her house.
She obtained a new deed and gave
mortgage to her lawyer for $500. who
in turned assigned 1t to Mary McGrath.
her daughter. Mr.. Appleby has now
begun proceedings in supreme court for
possession Of the property, alleging that
Mrs. McGrath took possession of the
premises without MS consent, ana Is 4
'squatter''
Killarney Castle is a landmark in
the Hudson river section of SiXty-fifth
street II is reached by winding stairs,
and offers a distinct contrast to the sur
property. When Mrs. McGrath
went there, in 1883, there were only two
rooms, but with the arrival of the lit
tie McGraths rooms were added until
there are seven occupied by boarders
Informed that Mr.. Appleby had begun
an action to obtain possession of her
home Mrs. McGrath waved hand of
protest and said:
Il know. ] know. Why. didn't the
good judge-God bless him-tcll M I
was right? What more is there to do?"
Mrs Nevins. next door. said Mrs. Nc
Grath's assertion that she bought the
property from Mr.. Neyins WAS right
II can remember it very we'll" she
said. This neighborhOOd was just one
big rock then. My husband built this
house or at least the house as il stood
then. The property had been in the
Neyins family for half century. No
one ever lived here before them but the
Indians"
sec that. now" said Mrs McGrath,
bcaming through her silver spectacles.
And ! should be gettin' out, should |?
] guess not: ] raised eight children in
this place and from here I've buried five
of them, so why should be lcavin after
all these years. me woman sixty-six
wear old Why. where would / eo2
This the only home | have known for a
uuarter OF a century, and / won't be
leaving lust vet I'll fight"