Case Name: C. R. Geilfuss v. The United States
Court: United States Court of Claims
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1868-12
Citations: 4 Ct. Cl. 478
Docket Number: 
Parties: C. R. Geilfuss v. The United States.
Judges: 
Reporter: United States Court of Claims Reports
Volume: 4
Pages: 478–480

Head Matter:
C. R. Geilfuss v. The United States.
On the Proofs.
The claimant is a naturalized and loyal citizen, residing in Charleston at the time that city was captured by the United States army in 1865. Ten hales of sea-island cotton were taken from his possession hy the military authorities, and he claims it as Ms own, and shows that it had hern stored in his house for two yeai’s or more.
Undisturbed possession for • two years before capture is sufficient proof of ownership in an action under tbe “Abandoned or captured property act." (12 Stat. L., p. 820.)
Mr. T. J. I). Puller for tbe claimant:
Claimant, a naturalized citizen, on tbe 12th of December, 1863, through tbe agency of bis wife, purchased of S. M. Elliot ten bales of sea-island cotton, paying therefor four dollars per pound. The cotton was taken possession of by the claimant immediately, and stored at No. 6 Calhoun street, Charleston, S. C., where it remained until the spring of 1865, and then, by order of Lieutenant Young, was removed to the United States custom-house in Charleston, from thence shipped to New York, sold, and the proceeds paid into the Treasury, netting $237 64 per bale; gross proceeds, $2,376 40.
The claimant was a loyal man from the beginning to the end of the war, aiding the Federal prisoners, and suffering imprisonment for his refusal to perform military service in the rebel army.
The transcript from the registration book shows it was taken from Geilfuss’s possession; Geilfuss showing himself to be a thoroughly loyal man. The United States can only make title by impeaching him, as it claims it under him.
Mr. B. S. Sale, special counsel of the Treasury, for the defendants.

Opinion:
Casey, Ch. J.,
delivered the opinion of the court:
On the 2d day of June, 1868, the claimant preferred his petition to this court, praying that he may be awarded the net proceeds of ten bales of sea-island cotton. He alleges that this cotton was seized by the military after the occupation of Charleston by the Union forces, and was shipped to New York to the Treasury agent and was sold and the net proceeds were paid into the Treasury of the United States. He alleges his ownership, his right to the proceeds, and avers his loyalty to the United States, and asks a judgment in his favor for the net proceeds of his cotton, amounting to the sum of $2,376 40.
The special counsel for the United States resists a recovery:
1st. On the ground that it is not shown by sufficient evidence that the proceeds came to the Treasury of the United States.
2d. That the proof of loyalty is defective in not negativing the fact that he ever gave aid and comfort to "persons engaged in rebellion."
3d. That the claim was not preferred to this court within two years after the suppression of the rebellion, and therefore is barred by the limitation in third section Act of March 12, 1863.
The special counsel for tbe United States also moved to strike out and suppress tbe depositions of claimant and bis wife. This motion was granted and tbe depositions were accordmgly suppressed.
We tbink tbe proof of ownership of tbis cotton quite sufficient. It bad been in claimant's possession for more than two years before its capture, and stored in tbe bouse in wbicb be lived. Tbis possession for so long a time under a claim of right, bis ownership being unchallenged, is evidence of title. Uncontradicted as it is, it is conclusive.
Tbe claimant proves by those who know him, that both in word and deed be adhered consistently to tbe United States during tbe rebellion. He also shows that be refused to enter tbe Confederate service, and that in consequence be suffered a long imprisonment. There is no evidence that be ever did any act or made any declaration inconsistent with bis character as a loyal man. We, therefore, in accordance with tbe principles applied, and more folly stated and explained, in tbe opinion of Henry Grossmeyer, tbink tkio evidence brings him within tbe conditions prescribed by tbe acts of Congress on tbis subject.
We find tbe net proceeds paid into tbe Treasury in tbis ease to amount to $2,376 40.
It is, therefore, to wit, tbis 14th February, 1869, considered and adjudged by tbe court here, that tbe said O. B. G-eilfoss, tbe claimant, do have and recover of and from tbe United States tbe sum of two thousand three hundred and seventy-six dollars and forty cents.