Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 62, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 March 1913 — BISHER CASE IS SETTLED AT LAST [ARTICLE]

BISHER CASE IS SETTLED AT LAST

Compromise Gives Widow $1,160 Case Had Boon in Court Five Tears—Tried Onee Before.

The famous ease Involving 84 acres of Gillam township land and which had been in the courts for the past five years came to a close at Monticello Wednesday when the attorneys for the opposing parties es fectcd a compromise. The case was known as the Bisher case. Six years ago John G. Bisher died, leaving as he supposed and as about every one else did, clear title to 84 acres of land. But after his death his mother, Mrs. Lavina Bisher, showed up with a deed for the farm, and the deed had been made almost thirty years ago and was recorded at the time, although the land had continued on the tax duplicate in the name of John G. Bisher and he had paid taxes on it all the time. It seems that the transfer was made soon after Bisher married, when himself and wife had some domestic troubles. The land was placed in his mother’s name and it was alleged that measures of coercion were used to get John’s Wife to sign the deed. Later they patched Up their troubles and went to living together, both seemingly forgetting the deed to his mother. Truman F. Palmer; of Monticello, heard the case here several years ago and held the title in the name of John’s mother, Mrs. Lavina Bislier, but Attorney Halleck was unwilling to give up and took a new trial as of right. The case had frequently been continued since that time and Wednesday came up for trial at Monticello, but the compromise was effected before the evidence was heard. The widow of John is to receive SI,OOO and is given a lien on the land for that amount. She is also to receive about $l6O due in rentals. Attorney Geo. A. Williams was some time ago appointed her guardian and will continue to act In that capacity until full settlement is made. A large number of witnesses who had been called several times to testify will be mighty glad that the cate has been brought to a finish. Mrs. Lavina Bisher’s son, Jerry, and daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. John Reed, were the active agents opposed to Mrs. Laura Bisher, John's widow, who is said to be feeble minded.