The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-05-04
MR. BUTTERFIELD'S
 FIGHT FOR FORTUNE
BridgepOrter Shows Commend able Tenacity In His Deter mination To Get His
 Rights
Millions Involved In Outcome Of Legal Contest That Has Aroused Interest On
 Two Continents

Following a quarter of a. century of 1eartrending efforts to grasp the mill lions which were suddenly placed within his heach and as quickly snatched away, trailing behind TO- nance and drama that bordered up on the most spectacular tragedy ever conceived by novelist, George w. But terield, who for several decades lived in Bridgeport at 413 Fairfield avenue, subsisting as a collector and discredit- ed by many to whom he related his marvellous experiences, is about to come into his heritage
 Dispatches from San Francisco to- day state that Butterf1eld who has for several months been in the Golden Gate city. has succeeded in having complaints drawn up which will be instituted against the owners of the May Lundy mines, in Munro county, within the next few days, and that it is claimed a clear case will be proven which will probably result in the re- covery of the millions taken from the famous gold mines
 Butterfield, formerly a well known lumber operator in Calais. Maine, be- came one of the big mining specu- latnrs in 1888. He secured title and options upon valuable property in Cal zfornfa which two other partners later turned over to him for a nominal con szderafion- So well had he strnaised the value of the properties that when unrestricted he sold them for $4,000,- 900 in London a few months later
 Owing to refusals to relinquish the property upon options the negotiations fell through, and libel suits brought in London: as well as suits in. this country, resulting from the original negotfafions became famous the world over The May ,Lundy mines, in Call xfornia, are among the most famous in faT 7nEA fz Grsfd fa have lost the affections of his first wife through the machinations of his lenexnses-
 He came to Bridgeport almost pen niless and maintained himself through collecting the bills of large concerns here Although we'll advanced in age he ever kept himself above the tide. and constantly endeavored to interest capitalists, lawyers. bankers and min- ing operators in his claims and the prospects of his mining interests.
 The dispatch sent specially to The Farmer today, reads
 San Francisco, April 30.-George W Butterheld. formerly of Bridgeport through his counsel, O'Brien 6 Oliver, of this Sfty, is instituting suit to re- cover equity and damages in the May Lundy mines of Munro county It will be alleged that he was defrauded by the present owners of his lawful rights and that through failure to abide by contracts he was depfived of nearly $4.0o0.00O deposited in the Un- ion Trust company of New York. by an English syndicate 10 take up options which he had given then- Complaint is to be filed this week. Lawyers in Bridgeport are said to have all ma terial documents in the ,case-'
 Confirmation of the dispatch was today secured from an attorney in this city, who in divu1ging the details of the case asked that his name be re- ztricted from publication for a, few days until certain details of the mat ter have been completed.
 It was learned that Butterfie1d lived in Maine until shortly before 1883, when he became interested in certain mining ventures Going west he be came greatly interested in the mine which was later to be named after the daughter of partner in the venture, one Lundy- In 1888 the property was purchased upon option and also several adjoining claims. But $25,- 900 was at first released, but as the op- ffons piled up his partners became wary, and finally he secured their op- ton upon the joint property for a lit tie over $500. .OOO- Sailing for Bon- don he interested continental capital ists who were willing to pay $4,00O,o for the property and who were accept ed Coming to New York. he was
  hearing of the deal, refused to make good their options He was in a pre- dfcament because a large guarantee of good faith had been posted in Lon- don by him and the payment money from the English firm was in the Union Trust company of New York. He instituted suit against his former partners and the involved litigation which has extended over a period of 25 years began Butterfed claimed that his reputation had been defamed by a financial paper in London edited by capitalist named Marks He sued Marks and after one of the most sensational suits recovered thousands of dollars Later his wife was alien ated from him and divorce suits fol- lowed Butterfeld married again and came to live in Bridgeport.
 Though he attempted to secure aid from many in this city, his tale which was so deeply involved was con- sidered in a visionary light and little assistance came to him. Deciding that California was the place where rhe history of the mine would secure aid. he left Bridgeport in October last and his claims were immediately in- xestigated and capital to back his as-