Springer, Riley - Estate news
Source: Greencastle Star, 3 Jan 1880 p 1
Some months ago we made an extended
notice of the efforts being made by the Springer heirs to secure a large
fortune rightfully due them, as was fully set forth in the particulars
furnished at that time by Mr. Riley Springer of this county. Now comes from
North Vernon, Ind further particulars in regard to this great interest which we
find in an exchange as follows:
The history of the giant estate is one of
peculiar and romantic interest and is authentic in every particular. Back in
the year 1600, Charles Christopher Springer lived at Stolkholm, Sweden. In his
veins coursed royal blood and he was one of the first noblemen of the land. He
was the owner of immense and valuable landed estate around the Swedish Capital.
Being one of the most princely gentlemen of a magnificent and flourishing
kingdom he lived in dazzling splendor his broad acres in which grazed extensive
herds stretching miles away. He married a lady of splendid birth, refinement
and immense wealth and together the twain scarcely knew any bounds of their
vast wealth. Like many others, though, who even possessed whole kingdom,
Charles Christopher Springer was not content. He was ill at east. He had dreams
of the world many leagues away, beyond the deep, blue sea. He prepared to
vacate his Swedish castle and seek the shores and hospitality of America. So at
a powerful outlay of gold and silver, he organized a colony of his countrymen
bought some good, strong ships and set sail for America, which was to, and did,
become his new home. His voyage with his people was somewhat a memorable one,
but they finally anchored on the eastern shore of Delaware. Here he purchased a tract of valuable land,
containing 800 acres on which was afterward located the site of
Wilmington. In the year 1696 was born
Christopher Springer, a brother of the nobleman and to him and his wife was
born Abraham on the 25th of April 1736, and November 21, 1759 he was
married to Christina Anderson. From Delaware Abraham and wife came west and for
a time all traces of them was lost.
Charles Christopher Springer died in 1669, the 800 acre tract of land
having been by him, before his death, leased to the Swedish Church for 99
years. The 99 years expire, Wilmington meantime becomes a large and prosperous
city, and there being no claimant for the estate, the Mayor advertises for the
heirs. Some of the descendants see the
advertisement and begin an investigation and tracing the genealogy minutely,
they found that Charles. Christopher
Springer had three sons, one of whom died without leaving any heirs. The names
of the other two were the Charles and Christopher. Among the descendants of
Charles Christopher Springer, the Swedish noblemen, are Reuben E. Springer of
Cincinnati; Hon WH Springer, Washington, DC; MC Springer, Lincoln, Kas; and
Congressman Springer, of Illinois. Christopher, brother of Charles had nine
children: Abraham; Charles; John; Brita; Peter; Susan; Solomon; Joseph and
Catherine. Abraham is the grandfather of Riley Springer of Greencastle, this
state and was the father of six children: Jacob, John, George, Catherine,
Elizabeth and Abner. From these three heads of the Springer family it will be
perceived what a large genealogy of sons and daughters sprang and spread into
all parts of the country. Thus far the descendants of Solomon, Brita, and Peter
seem to be lost trace of and may possibly never be found. There are a large number of the heirs, many
of whom, no doubt will never be found. The whole matter is now under way of
speedy settlement and a final meeting of the heirs has been called to take
place at St. Louis, Jan 20, 1880 to perfect the fortune. It is said that on the
800 acre tract of land in Delaware is built nearly, if not quite, all the city
of Wilmington. This, with his castles and lands in Sweden, the land of his
nativity, foot up fully, if not more than $80,000,000.
Source: Greencastle Star, 24 Jan 1880 p 1
Shelbyville, Jan 20 – The Springer estate
of which so much has been published and the meeting of the heirs to take place
in St. Louis today has called to mind a sad incident that occurred in this
county recently. Samuel S. Springer, a thriving farmer with an interesting
family lived a short distance from this place. When the excitement began as to
who were the heirs, he began to search the history of his ancestors and finally
forced himself into the conclusion that he was one of the Springer heirs. He talked of it to any and all persons and
thought of it constantly. It so prayed upon his mind that he began rapidly to
lose his reason. His actions became strange and grew worse day by day. The
result was that he was taken to the Insane Asylum at Indianapolis about four
months ago a maniac, where he yet remains. Whether there was any foundation to
his claims is not known, but he was not represented at the meeting of the
Springer heirs today.
Same: p 2 – Last Tuesday the long talked
of meeting of the Springer heirs was held at St. Louis, Mr. Riley Springer and
other citizens of this county interested in the estate attended the meeting.
The Philadelphia Record gives the following intelligence, of interest to the
heirs: “Who owns Wilmington?” This is a question which not a few inhabitants of
the Diamond State are asking themselves. On Tuesday next there will be a
meeting in St. Louis of some 700 heirs or their representatives who claim that the ground upon which the city
is built belongs to them by right of heritage. This will be the last of a
series of conferences between the heirs and during its session decisive action
will be taken looking to the placing of the claim before a judicial body. A number
of claimants are to be in attendance from this and neighboring cities. That
this movement has a more influential backing than some of the associations
formed for the purpose of recovering lost property may be inferred from a
glance at the list of claimants. Among these are: Reuben E. Springer, noted Cincinnati
philanthropist; Congressman Springer of Illinois; Hon. WH Springer, Washington
and Rev. JNW Springer, a popular preacher in St. Louis. By a recent deed Reuben
E. Springer has transferred all his right and title to his brothers above
mentioned but has, at the same time, expressed his willingness to do the
needful ? in the shape of cash toward the outlay consequent upon the proposed
legal proceedings. Many of the claimants are very wealthy people, and are
prepared to sink some of their spare finances in the present undertaking. To
state the case of the heirs needs a reference back to the days of 1689. At that
time there lived in Stockholm, Sweden one Baron Charles Christopher Springer.
Royal blood coursed through his veins and he was accounted one of the first
noblemen of the land. He was the owner of an immense and valuable estate which
enabled him to live in splendor, while his followers could be numbered by the
thousands. In process of time he married
a lady of birth equal with his own and who, moreover, brought him a fortune
almost as large as his own. So fabulous, says the historian were the fortunes
of the twin that it were almost impossible to correctly estimate. But the Baron
was one of those men who never know when they are satisfied. His resources were
immense but he wanted to increase them. He was continually ill at ease and in
his mind he revolved one scheme after another by which his wealth might be
enlarged. Finally he received tidings of the opportunities open to the men of
wealth in the new world. After but little deliberation he formed a colony of
his countrymen, fitted out an expedition of half a dozen ships and finally
after a tempestuous voyage landed at Philadelphia. His first move was to buy a
tract of 800 acres of land and establish his colony on it. Those acres are now
the site of the city of Wilmington, Delaware. Subsequently he leased the land
for a period 99 years and later, gave up the ghost. Of his three sons two
survived him and there were not be found when the lease expired. The Springers
before mentioned are the descendants of his sons Charles and Christopher. The
latter had 9 children, one of whom, Abraham had in turn six children. One of
his grandchildren, now living in Illinois has six children more. From this same
idea can be gathered of the extensive genealogy of the family. There are heirs
who can trace back to the old barn now living in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois,
Mississippi, Kansas, Colorado and Indiana. Besides the Wilmington estate, the
Springers also lay claim to some valuable property at Stockholm, Sweden which
was left by the Baron when he changed his location to these shores. It is intended however, to go in for the
American prize first, and if the suit is successful, the proceedings will be
transferred across the water. The value of the property in dispute aggregates
several millions of dollars.
Source: Greencastle Star 12 June 1880 p 4
Last Thursday evening a sad and terrible
accident occurred on the Louisville, New Albany & Chicago RR just south of
the water tank and about three miles north of this city whereby one of the old citizens
of Putnam County lost his life. From report current we glean the following
particulars:
About 7 o’clock or a little after, a special train, consisting of the engine and one coach, containing officials of the line, left this city for the north and when this side of the water tank the engineer noticed a man walking northward on the track, only a short distance ahead of the train. The whistle was sounded and the engine reversed but the speed was so great that no stop could be made before the pedestrian was struck. When the train was stopped the injured man was taken up for life was not yet gone carried into the car and then the train was run back to this city for medical assistance. In the meantime it was learned that the wounded man was Mr. Riley Springer, a well-to-do-farmer residing about five miles northeast from this city. He had been here during the afternoon and started home late in the evening, via the railroad afoot. When the train arrived at the depot a messenger was dispatched for Dr. Preston who, upon examination pronounced life extinct, death having resulted in a very short time. The injuries inflicted were terrible. Both legs were broken between the knee and ankle, and his back was also broken; while the head and shoulder were terribly cut and bruised. The remains were taken to Mulholn, Hanna & Black’s undertaking establishment, where they were properly cared for that night and on Thursday morning were taken to the late residence of the deceased. The funeral took place on the afternoon of the same day at Sugar Ridge Church. Deceased had been a resident of this county for 30 years, had a large circle of acquaintances and was well liked. He was about 65 years of age and leaves a wife and a family of four children, all of whom have arrived at years of maturity to mourn his sudden demise.
About 7 o’clock or a little after, a special train, consisting of the engine and one coach, containing officials of the line, left this city for the north and when this side of the water tank the engineer noticed a man walking northward on the track, only a short distance ahead of the train. The whistle was sounded and the engine reversed but the speed was so great that no stop could be made before the pedestrian was struck. When the train was stopped the injured man was taken up for life was not yet gone carried into the car and then the train was run back to this city for medical assistance. In the meantime it was learned that the wounded man was Mr. Riley Springer, a well-to-do-farmer residing about five miles northeast from this city. He had been here during the afternoon and started home late in the evening, via the railroad afoot. When the train arrived at the depot a messenger was dispatched for Dr. Preston who, upon examination pronounced life extinct, death having resulted in a very short time. The injuries inflicted were terrible. Both legs were broken between the knee and ankle, and his back was also broken; while the head and shoulder were terribly cut and bruised. The remains were taken to Mulholn, Hanna & Black’s undertaking establishment, where they were properly cared for that night and on Thursday morning were taken to the late residence of the deceased. The funeral took place on the afternoon of the same day at Sugar Ridge Church. Deceased had been a resident of this county for 30 years, had a large circle of acquaintances and was well liked. He was about 65 years of age and leaves a wife and a family of four children, all of whom have arrived at years of maturity to mourn his sudden demise.
Source: Greencastle Star 3
July 1880 p 8
In Memoriam – Monroe Grange,
No 1404 – June 19, 1880 – whereas it has pleased the Great Master of the
Universe in His inscrutable dealings to enter our Grange for the second time
with the seal of destiny in His hand, and remove from our midst our most esteemed,
faithful and earnest colaborer and brother, Riley Springer, therefore be it –
Resolved, that in the death of brother Springer, our order recognizes the loss
of one of its honored members our community one of its respected and
industrious citizens, the family a kind and affectionate husband and loving and
sympathetic father. Resolved, that we sympathize with the relatives of our
deceased brother, in this their sad bereavement and commend them to one that is
too wise to err and too good to do wrong and who alone is able to heal every
wound. Resolved, that a copy of these resolutions be presented to the family of
brother Springer, and also be placed upon the records of the Grange and a copy
be sent for publication to each one of the county papers and that our charter
be draped in mourning for 60 days. EP Cowgill, WA Reeves, Joseph Butler