$80,000,000

The land on which the city of Wilmington , Delaware , is situated, is likely to become the subject of litigation.  Some 200 years ago, more or less, a man named Springer leased 800 acres of land to a German for 99 years;  that at the end of that time, no one appearing to claim the land, it was sold, & became the site of the city of Wilmington.  The Springer family have found the original deeds, & are about to lay claim to the fee simple of the 800 acres, now valued at $80,000,000. The heirs of the original Springer now reside in Illinois , St. Louis , Potosi , Missouri , & elsewhere.

Decatur Republican – 27 July 1871 – Col. 3