Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1915-12-17

Ao u liz AGAA01 - N1
Leigh had put up.
Edward F. Howard, the next wit
ness, testified that he was 46 years old
aud first knew the property in 1883
Lived In Philadelphia at present. AS
a boy lived in Camden and bis father
was acquainted with James Young,
who kept a hardware store in Philadel-
phis, Came to Holly Beach as a boy
with Robert McCuteheOn. Knew Jos.
Taylor. In 1905 saw Burk and Taylor
on the ground with maps-Said be
bought the two lots from Mike Mealy
and rented them to o. J. Leigh in 1905.
A butcher shop stood on lots when he
purchased them. Rented the lots to
Dare when Leigh vacated.
e. FL. Shearer, lived in Philadelphia
for 25 years. Been familiar with the
land In question since 1889, in which
year he bought ten lots along Cedar
avenue, including the two In dispute.
Immediately sold the two lots now
o vned by Howard to Johnson Berner,
of Freeland, Pa, and built houses on
the others, part of which Is the present
site OF the Hotel Brighton. Searches
were made by Morgan Hand.
Oliver Bright-Had been coming to
Holly Beach for 80 years, and said
Cedar avenue was opened for travel in
1885 or 1886.
William T. Young-Lived in Phila-
delphia. Was a brother of the late
James Young, vice president of the
land company. Said Taylor had the
lot fenced in during the year 1885.
Heard them talk of the disputed line.
r. N. Administration of Wild
wood Crest and a retired caterer. First
knew the property in 1889. Recollec-
ted that it was fenced in from Atlantic
to Pacific avenues. Fence was torn
down to allow a colored camp meeting
to be held.
L. F. Butts-Lived in Holly Beach
81 years and in 1885 or 1886 bought a
lot of land in the block where the dis
puted strip lies. Told of a wire fence
there.
f. E. Smith-Lived here for 50 years
and told more about the fence and the
early days.
H. A. Spencer-Was a director of the
OLD Holly Beach Land Co.-Left the
In 1885 and returned in 1908
Heard of the disputed strip.
o. j. Leigh-Came to Wild wood in
1900. Husband of the complainant IN
this suit. Had a lease from Mrs. Alice
G. Grey Bergen, wife of n of the law
yers representing Mrs. Leigh, dated
] January, 1911. Leased from Howard
in 1906. Had quit claim deed from
Howard in 1908. Borrowed $500 from
Alice Bergen, and when Judge West.
colt, who represented Howard and the
~endeavored to bring in certain
matters pertaining to Leigh a strong
objection was raised by Lawyer Ber-
gen. Objection sustained, Judge Car
row stating that this was not an Equi-
ty court, that the cast was confined to
adverse possession, and that Leigh's
motives could not be considered. Wit
ness learned in 1907 from Burk that
Howard had no title to the locus (the
10 dispute. Howard wanted to
loan money to Leigh in 1906. Witness
advised one Wilemsn, now dead, to
buy the strip of land, and he did, pay
ing Burk $3.50 for it.
l.. M. Rice-Surveyed the lots in
question in June, 1907, and again in
November, 1908. Judge Westcott Of
fered in evidence deeds from the Holly
Beach Improvement Co. to Joseph
1884. Taylor to John g. Ber-
ner, 1891. Berner to Margaret Birk-
beck, 1892. Agreement of Birkbeck in
1901 to sell to Mike Mealy and assign
ment of agreement by Mealy to How
ard. Deed of Birkbeck and wife to
Howard.
Harry E. Weir-Was called upon to
make some surveys.
Alexis Schellenger-Was 70 years of
age. Resided at Cape May. His father
was one of the owners of the tract of
now in the heart of Wildwood.
Was on the ground in 1882 when line
was being u to divide Holly Beach
and wildwood. Told of hunting wild
cattle here on the island with the late
Ephralm Hildreth.