Family History: The Sitler Family Fortune (part 1) Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Jane Devlin. JaneDevlin@netquest.com USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. __________________________________________________________________________ Proceedings of meeting of the Dietrich Sitler German Society held at Lockport, N.Y., on Wednesday and Thursday August 21st and 22nd, 1901 Joseph Schmid, Printer, 311 West Grant Street, Lancaster, PA 1901 PREFACE GREETINGS TO ALL: The aim of this booklet is to instruct its readers relative to the amount of progress made by the Baron Von Sitler Society in its investigation of records and data pertaining to the alleged estate willed by Baron Von Sitler, of Germany, to his descendants, and to which they were to fall heir at the lapse of ninety-nine years after his death. It is also intended to set forth what course the Society proposed to pursue in the future in the furtherance of its investigation. These propositions are alluded to in the papers read before the convention of the Dietrich Sitler branch of the Society, at Lockport, New York , August 21 and 22, 1901, and decided upon by the resolutions then and there adopted. These papers and resolutions are given verbatim in this pamphlet. Undoubtedly there are many among the present descendants of the Baron's household who look with greatest interest upon the project, and deeply sympathize with our efforts. To these people the pages of this booklet will be interesting, and doubtlessly, inspire them to still stronger efforts to aid the Society in laying claim to the alleged millions awaiting demand in the German Fatherland. Others there may be who are equally desirous that the alleged estate be secured and passed into the hands of the proper heirs, but have not yet become sufficiently interested, perhaps for want of information, to use all their efforts in helping to demand the estate. It is hoped that to these this pamphlet will give such information and encouragement as to arouse them to greater sympathy. As it is proposed to send a person of honor and confidence, and well versed in the German language to Germany to make direct investigation, it is necessary that means should be at hand. An appeal will soon be made to all member to assist in securing these necessary means. The person to be commissioned will be legally authorized to carry on his investigations at the German Courts. We hope this pamphlet will be read with the same spirit of sympathy that it has been issued. MINUTES OF THE MEETING First Day --- Morning Session Lockport, N. Y. August 21, 1901 The Dietrich Sitler German Society met in the G. A. R. Hall of Lockport, N. Y. The meeting was called to order by the President, the Rev. Dr. J. R. Dimm, Professor of Theology int the Susquehanna University, Selins Grove, Pa. A hymn was sung, after which the meeting was led in prayer by the Rev. Dr. J. V. George, of Reading, Pa. Dr. Dimm made some interesting remarks, when Mr. S. S. Pomeroy, the Corresponding Secretary, of Chicago, Ill., delivered the following address of welcome, which was very interesting and encouraging: ADDRESS OF WELCOME. Ladies and Gentlemen: -- I can assure you that I highly appreciate the great and entirely unexpected honor of being chosen to deliver the address of welcome to the Sitler heirs here assembled, and sincerely believe you will be satisfied with my assurance that I have not the words at my command to express the great pleasure which I feel in meeting you all. As I glance over this assembly, I notice a few familiar faces; but there are many whom I behold for the first time. Through my position as Corresponding Secretary I have become more or less acquainted with you all, and do not feel that I am among strangers. I take this opportunity to heartily thank you all in behalf of the association, for the courteous and kindly manner in which you have answered my numerous inquiries and for the great interest you have displayed, the vast amount of valuable information you have offered us, and the financial aid you have so cheerfully given; and I can assure you that I have made many pleasant acquaintances during my extended correspondence with you. While we have come together for the purpose of still further perfecting this organization, yet I hope that we all feel that we, in a certain sense, belong to one common family; and when we have returned to our homes and again taken up our different vocations, that we can look back upon this Reunion as one of the bring and pleasant spots in our tempestous voyage of life. I do not wish to weary you with a long discourse; but with your kind indulgence I will endeavor to give you a brief history of the organization and the purpose for which it was formed. S. S. POMEROY T. Cor. Sec'y, Dietrich Sitler German Society. The minutes of 1900 were read and approved. The Secretary was then instructed by the Chair to read the report of Mr. J. S. McLane, Secretary of the Mathias Sitler German Society. This report contained a great deal of interesting information: REPORT OF J. S. McLANE, SECRETARY OF THE MATHAIAS SITLER GERMAN SOCIETY Lancaster, Pa., August 19th 1901 To the President, Official Board and Members of the Dietrich Sitler German Society, GREETING: It is with pleasure I hereby acknowledge receipt of an invitation from the proper authorities of your society, and also the special request of the beloved President of your society, Prof. J. R. Dimm, urging upon me to kindly present myself upon the occasion of the assemblage of your society at this time and place. It is with a sense of remorse that I am compelled to reject these kind invitations, and my feeling of regret, on account of my inability to be present is only exceeded by my inability to express to you the sincere regret I have. I am with you however, as regards the motives and objects of this gathering, and as Secretary of the Mathias Sitler German Society I can assure you that they are with you; and that we all are ready to co- operate in any an all movements, or any plans that you may fix, that will bring a speed and satisfactory conclusion of the question at issue. Kind friends, these meetings of the "Sitler Clan" have been delightful and profitable. They have plucked out of darkness and obscurity, scores and scores of new found friends, "relatives." They have brought home "the wanderer", the prodigal", the "long lost", they have "enriched you in numbers". Look to their right and to the left, and behold all those whose names are of the "household" of "Baron Von Sitler", whose blood is of his blood. This then being thicker than water, rejoice in your possessions, for you have just cause why you should be proud to revere the name of our honored ancestor, for in the "sea of humanity" that has sprung from this "fountainhead", the "deep blue" that is intensified by the depths of its present vastness is but the "continuous flow" of the "blue blood" of the fountain from which they sprung, "Baron Von Sitler". Rejoice then, ye partakers of this honor, because from this "fountain of purity and dignity", has flowed a "river of kindred" to which no man need blush to claim kinship. Kind friends, there is a pleasure that thrills, there is a "tie that binds", and while some few may say: "we care little for our distant relatives", where is he who will say: "he cares not for money". It is the hope of recovering the vast estates of Baron Von Sitler, that now thrills us with pleasure. The recovery of these estates will "bind forever" in closer friendship the posterity of the honored "Baron", and may this organization "long live and foster the rights of the transgressed. The facts regarding these estates in Europe, which you all know are the bone of contention, and the all-absorbing topic of the individual and members of the "clan", interested therein, are, as we all know, "the one thing sought for". It is now four years since the first meeting of the "clan" occurred, and the organization of the "Sitler German Society" became a factor to work out and established the relationship of the family, which sprung from the best blood of the Fatherland. Four long years of ceaseless and endless correspondence, and no little expense, has at last accomplished the work and secured a "family tree" of indisputable correctness, and one that cannot be overthrown by intrigue of Court or Jury, in an attempt to deny the claim of the American heirs of Baron Von Sitler, as an estate that is rightfully and legally theirs. The time has come, where correspondence has reached the limit of usefulness. Where further facts can only be obtained by the employment of unbiased, shrewd and capable legal power, either within the folds of our "kinship" or trustworthy disinterested parties, and I would advise that this thought be carefully considered at the present sessions of our society. The history of the case and the facts relative thereto, have been laid before the honorable and worthy President of your society (and the Sitler German Society) Prof. J. Dimm, and he is now prepared to make a clear and concise statement of the situation as it now stands, and we trust the Executive Board of you society will treat wisely and judiciously the intricacies involved. The fact of the existence of a stupendous claim have been made too clear to dispute. And these facts no doubt, will be clearly arrayed in the reports of the official board of your society. To attempt an explicit and detailed account of all that has come to our notice, would be a task too onerous for me to place on paper, and no doubt prove tiresome to you, if read. As these matters can be more clearly defined by those present, who are familiar with the technicalities of the case. I beg your permission to be exempt from entering upon a prelude that would tax your patience and mine to thoroughly dissect. In order that you may not presume that I desire to evade an expression of opinion, or to withhold any information, I would say that a demand for public discussion of the actions of the parties abroad who have been entrusted with certain duties, or have made overtures to accept certain commissions, together with recent publications in the Press of Santa Barbara, Cal., will reveal the facts of a necessity of wise counsel, and a speedy and judicious activity on the part of the Sitler German Society to protect its interests, and will disclose to your satisfaction the fact that on information is withheld by either branch of the society or its officials from the members in general. Wishing you all a joyously pleasant and profitable communion and fellowship at this session of your society, and may your labors be richly rewarded. Your humble servant, (signed) J. S. McLANE Secretary Mathias Sitler German Society The secretary also read a letter from Justice Krug, of Marburg, Germany, which stated that one Jacob Sitler, of Marburg, is working secretly and independently for the alleged fortune left by the Baron Von Sitler of Germany. Mr. William J. Sitler, President of the Mathias Sitler German Society, read his report: REPORT OF W. J SITLER, PRESIDENT OF THE MATHIAS SITLER GERMAN SOCIETY HISTORY OF THE SITLER GERMAN ESTATE During the summer of 1845, a German was sent out by the German Government to Baltimore, Md., to hunt up the heirs of Count Von Sitler, of Alsace, Germany. He stated that the 99 year German Bonds were due and that the German Government wanted to settle up the Sitler Estate. The German agent remained in and around Baltimore, Md., some five months, but could not get the Sitler family to agree on the division of the money. The cause was mainly that the rich of the Sitler family wanted all and wished to cut the poor out of their share of the property. The German agent said that this would not be right in the eyes of the law and that his government would not settle in that way; but that all would have to share according to their genealogy, otherwise no division of the money could be made. The German agent in his search found the grave of Mathias Sitler, Sr., in the old Dunkard graveyard on the corner of Paca and Lumbard streets, Baltimore, Md. The German agent said to the Sitler family: "This is the man I am hunting; let me take this tombstone back to Germany and that will settle the entire question." The Sitler family would not let him have the stone. In 1880, the Dunkard church and graveyard were sold and the bodies had to be moved elsewhere. Dr. C. C. Richardson of 1616 Edmonson Avenue, Baltimore, Md., was at the graveyard to look after some of his own dead, when the remains of Mathias Sitler , Sr., and Catharine, his wife, were taken. Lot Ensign, a nephew of Mathias Sitler, also was there on the same business, and remarked to Dr. C. C. Richardson: "Is it possible that there is no one here to take charge of Uncle Mathias' and Aunt Catharine's bones?" Lot Ensign had them put in new coffins and reinterred in his own burial lot in Green Mount Cemetery. The old tombstones are in their graves, 18 inches underground. This information I received from the keeper of the Cemetery when I was there, September, 1899. This information I gleaned from the very old folks of the Sitler connection about the German agent. Mary Sitler, a daughter of Benjamin Sitler, the fourth son of Mathias Sitler, Sr., was a maiden lady who had made quite a fortune in the upholstery business, on her own account. In the summer of 1854 Mary Sitler said to many of the Sitler connection, that if there was not a man in the Sitler family who had the courage to go to Germany and look after the Sitler estate, she herself would go and pay all her own expenses. She made all due preparations for the trip. She had her trunk packed and ticket bought for Berlin, Germany; but on the night before she was to start her trip to Germany, she took sick with typhoid fever and died four weeks later. The good substantial three-story brick house which she built in her day as her own, is now owned by Mr. Emma Mills and sister nieces of Miss Mary Sitler. When in Baltimore, Md., I visited the Misses Mills often. They showed me the room that Miss. Mary Sitler died in, and the parlor she was laid out in after death. All this information I received from the Misses Mils, of 1009 East Monument Street, Baltimore, Md. The German papers and the correspondence between Mathias Sitler, Sr., of Baltimore, Md., and his relations, were all kept in the best of shape up to Mathias Sitler, Sr.'s, death. They were all packed in a flour barrel. It was full. This barrel of papers and letters was given to Jacob Sitler, the 3rd son of Mathias Sitler, Sr. At the death of Jacob Sitler, this barrel of valuable papers passed into the hands of Daniel Sitler, son of Jacob Sitler. At the death of Daniel Sitler the barrel of papers and letters passed into the care of Mary and Sarah Sitler, the maiden daughters of Daniel Sitler. They lived together for many years. Sarah Sitler died July the 1st, 1877, in the 82nd year of her age. She was a member of the M. E. Church for 65 years. At the death of Sarah Sitler, Mary Sitler made her home with Andrew H. Lyeth, a nephew, No. 935 Milton Place, Baltimore, Md. Mary Sitler took her personal effects and the barrel of valuable papers to the house of Andrew H. Lyeth. Mrs. A. H. Lyeth said to Mary Sitler: "I will not have you take this barrel upstairs to your room. It has been kept long enough in the Sitler family, and I intend to take it out in the corner of the yard and burn it and its contents." Mary Sitler was an old lady and lame, and could not help herself. But she protested to the bitter end that Mrs. A. H. Lyeth should not burn up that barrel of papers and letters. She said: "Keep the barrel of papers and letters. They tell all about the German fortune, where it is and how it is invested. Also the letters tell where all of grandfather Mathias Sitler's folks live. Keep the papers and letters and you will have no trouble about the German fortune." But Mrs. Lyeth paid no attention to what Mary Sitler said. She knocked in the head of the barrel and emptied its contents in one corner of the yard and set fire to the papers and letters and burned them all up, while Mary Sitler sat on the porch steps helpless and cried like a child. She said to Mrs. Lyeth: "You will have some trouble now to get the Dutch Fortune." This history I got from Mrs. Lyeth, Oct. 16th 1899. She showed me the very spot in the corner of the yard where she burned the papers and, and said to me with tears in her eyes: "Little did I think at that time that she would live to see the day when she and all the Sitler connection would want this barrel of papers and letters." Mary Sitler died July, 1884, aged 85 years. A. H. Lyeth died May 15th, 1901. His wife died six weeks later. They left no heirs. Thad. Stevens, of Lancaster, Pa., made an investigation of the Sitler estate in Germany in his day, and found it all O.K. He wanted two thousand five hundred dollars to pay his expenses to Germany during his stay there and return to his own country, and fifteen per cent. Of the gross amount for his legal services. The Sitler connection in Baltimore, Md., would give nothing to Thad. Stevens' expense, and they thought that fifteen per cent. Was too much to pay out of the gross amount. The Sitler connections in and around Lancaster could not raise the two thousand five hundred dollars, and so the matter ended. This report I believe is in the hands of Mrs. F. H. Koch, York, Pa. I have been told that such was the case. Ignaz Sitler, No. 2333 Cottage Ave., Chicago, Ill., who claims not to belong to our family, but came from the same part of Germany, tells me that he has been in this country for some years, and knew of the Sitler fortune 25 years before he came to this country. M. H. Mettee, one of our connection, who lives in Baltimore, Md., told me last October, that his barber who was a German and come from the same part of Germany that our Sitler ancestor did, had heard in Germany of the Sitler fortune, and was somewhat surprised to learn that his friend, Mr. Mettee, was an heir to the Sitler millions in Germany. (Signed) W. J. SITLER, Robinson, Ill. President Mathias Sitler German Society. On motion, the Society adjourned. First Day - Afternoon Session The Society was called to order by the President. The roll was called and it was found that so far 143 had enrolled. The minutes of the morning session were read and adopted. The President, Rev. Dr. J. B. Dimm, read his report. This report was instructive, and showed a great deal of research. He traced the Sitler family from the time that Deitrich Sitler settled in Berks County, Pa., to the present generation. REPORT OF REV. J. R. DIMM, D. D., PRESIDENT OF THE DIETRICH SITLER GERMAN SOCIETY IMMIGRATION OF THE ANCESTORS OF THE SITLERS AND DIMMS In the famous volume entitled "Rupp's collection of thirty thousand names of immigrants in Pennsylvania," a book compiled from the archives of that State, may be found all the names of Germans and other country men who arrived between the years of 1727 and 1775. The book is a most valuable contribution to history. It not only contains the manes of the immigrants, but the names of the ships in which they came, the masters of the vessels, the ports from which they sailed, the countries from which the immigrants came and the dates of their arrival. In order surely to cover the period in which our ancestors certainly came, I examined all the names of incoming passengers from the year 1730 to 1775, a period of 45 years. The numbers of immigrant upon a single vessel varied from 100 to 800 each, and this will indicated the amount of work it took to make the search. On page 171 is found the record of the coming of our ancestor Dietrich Sitler. His name as recorded is Dietrich Schattler, he arrived at the port of Philadelphia, in the ship named "Friendship: under the care of Captain John Mason, having sailed from Rottendam and last from Cowes. The date of his arrival was November 2nd, 1744; the province from which he came is not recorded in this volume, but information from other sources leads to the belief that the Sitlers came from Alsace. Some may be discouraged by the spelling of the name Sitler, in the form of Schattler; but of those who arrived within the 45 years, among the thousands of names examined, there is not one that came anywhere near to Sitler, or could be translated into it, but this name. Among the Pennsylvania archives, of which there are 30 volumes, in the third series, we found two records of Dietrich Sitler having obtained land warrants. First, under the name of Teeter Seidler, he received a warrant for 50 acres of land in Berks Co., November 13, 1754. Second, under the name of Diter Sitler, he received a warrant for a tract of land, then in Berks Co., now in Lehigh, of 98 acres, ordered to be surveyed to him by the "Reverend William Penn," Esq. Dated Oct 15th, 1762, this same land was sold to Engle Meyer, May 27th, 1779 by Dietrich Sitler, and by Engle Meyer to Philip Sitler, son of Dietrich, May 27th, 1786, price L220 of gold and silver money of Pennsylvania, about $1600.00 of our money. The record shows that Dietrich Sitler, in religion was a Protestant, in denomination, a Lutheran. In 1745, one year after his arrival in America, he assisted in building a Lutheran Church of logs, on a tract of land of near 100 acres presented by the son of William Penn, to the German Lutherans in Berks Co. That structure was burned by Indians; but the congregation survived and Dietrich was an officer in the same in 1761; 16 years after, the church was rebuilt of stone, a few rods from the original site, and Dietrich was one of the builders. I stood upon the foundation of this church, now torn down and replaced by a modern structure costing $12,000; this is the Moselem Church with a history of more than 150 years. Of this church Dietrich was an officer nearly every year from 1745 to 1765. From this date on his son, Philip Sitler, succeeded him; and he is recorded as an officer of Ebenezer Church near New Tripoli, Lehigh Co., from 1769 to 1770. Nor does he seem to have deserted or ceased to be honored in the church at Moselem, even after this; for we found the record showing that the had audited the annual financial accounts of that church for several succeeding years, ending with March, 1778. While I stood on the foundation wall of the old Moselem church, which was hexagonal in shape and measured its circumference which I found to be 163 feet, I looked eastward a few steps and saw a large brown colored tombstone; on examination the inscription, which was almost effaced by time, appeared to read: "Dietrich Suttler, born Sept 13th, 1716, died Oct 20th, 1778". I rejoiced in the find and went away believing that tomb to be the last resting spot of our pious and honored ancestor; but on returning to my hotel and examining my notes, I found a record of the auditing of the accounts of that church, as said before, by Dietrich, dated Nov. 1778. It was too late for me to return to that tomb to make a re-examination and I had to leave the question of that being Deitrich's tomb an open one for the time. Before coming to this meeting, I requested our worth Sec'y, Rev. J. V. George, who lives within a few miles of that place, to visit, if possible, that stone; and should he find that we, in reading the defaced inscription, had mistaken the 5 in the 1775 for an 8, it would prove that to be the tomb of Dietrich Sitler. For the umloudt over the U in the name Sittlor, in German, makes the sound of the U the same as our English I, as every German knows. Deitrich might have audited the accounts in March, 1778, andhave been in his grave November, 1778. We will be favored with the report of the Secretary during this meeting (the Secretary, Rev. J. V. George, reported that he had visited the stone in the cemetery at the Moselem Church and found it to be the veritable tombstone of Dietrich Sitler, notwithstanding the discrepancy between the inscription on the stone and the record in the church books.) It is supposed that the mistake was made by the engraver who put the lettering on the stone in Germany. It has been a matter of considerable concern to answer the question why Dietrich Sitler appeared to be without capital while his brother Mathias was possessed of wealth from the beginning; the question is answered by the well-attested tradition handed down from the history of the voyage coming over. We have several records of contributions made by Dietrich at different times to the church; they are all too small to accord with the greatness of mind of such a man. Now, the explanation is: tradition says, that in the voyage there arose a tremendous storm at sea, in which the ship pitched and tossed on the waves at a terrible rate. Dietrich was thrown from his bunk, his leg broken and his body so injured that he became unconscious; there were seventy passengers on board that ship, as the record shows; by them his body was handled during his unconsciousness, his money was in gold and in a belt buckled around his body; when he came to himself his money was gone; when he inquired where it was, they told him it had fallen overboard; the inference was, he was robbed. His wife, Anna Maria Von Resler, is said to have been a very good nurse; his leg was imperfectly set, and she nursed him back again into health, but he was lame for the rest of his life. In corroboration of this tradition it is related by the descendants of Simon Sitler, his son, who lived in the vicinity of Berwick, Pennsylvania, that Dietrich once attempted a visit to his son; he came up from the lower counties by a line of stage couches and reached Berwick. From there, there was no means of conveyance to the house of his son, Simon, which was three miles in the country. Dietrich undertook to walk this distance, but being lame he gave out on the way and had to be conveyed to the end of the journey. This story goes to show the tradition of the leg broken on the sea. We made the same diligent search in the collection of the 30,000 names of immigrants and throughout the same period of 45 years for the name of Mathias Sitler, whom we hold to be the brother of Deitrich; and over the particular parts, covering the time in which tradition says Mathias came, we went carefully two or three times, but among all the thousands we could find no name that we could possibly translate into Mathias Sitler. In the Pennsylvania archives which contains the records of land warrants for all lands taken up by immigrants, we find no mention of Mathias Sitler; this astonished us the more because in the archives of the Courts of Lancaster and York co., we find many records of his land transfers. He does not appear to have been a land speculator, but one who purchased the lands to hold them after they had been patented. In searching for the reason of the absence of Mathias Sitler's name, especially from the sip's list of passengers, we fell upon a tradition afloat in several places. It is to the effect that one of Baron Von Sitler's sons had left Germany to escape military duty; this necessitated the suppression of his name from the lists in order to prevent the authorities of Germany from tracing him to his destination or recognizing him should he return. We leave the mystery and the explanation with you for what it is worth. Possible we may learn here more about the matter. I reference to the ancestors of the Dimms I may be expected to give some account. Among the names of the 30,000 immigrants, I find the following record: "Came to the port of Philadelphia, on September 30th, 1754, in the ship Edinburg, from Wurtenburg, Hans Deme, James Russel being master of the ship. By assistance of other records we know this to be the name of John Dimm, the ancestor of all the Dimms in America. This man died in Philadelphia soon after his arrival, and left his widow with two little children, one a daughter born in Wurtenburg, Germany; the other an infant son, born on the ocean during the voyage. There was no public record of the first name of this widow; and of this name the Dimm family were without knowledge a long time, but in our trip of investigation through the lower counties, we found where she had stood as sponsor at the baptism of a child and her name is there written, Elizabeth Dem. Her little daughter, when grown up was married to a man by the name of Dimner. I found records of that name in the archives of the Courts of Berks Co. The little son, who was born on the ocean, was bound out to a man in Hamberg, Berks Co., Pa., who was a shoemaker by trade. He was baptized in the Lutheran Church and given the name of Christopher, which means the bearer of Christ. On his growth to manhood, he was married to Margaretha Sitler, the only daughter of Dietrich Sitler. Christopher Dimm and Margaretha Sitler are the American ancestors of all the Dimms in this country, living and dead. As to the character of Dietrich Sitler, a few words might be said with some propriety and a degree of profit: 1. We know that no Sitler of Dimm was ever made a redemtioner by selling his services for the payment of his passage. 2. We know of no one who has achieved a very hig degree of greatness; on the other hand, we know of no one who has ever been in state prison as a criminal. 3. We know of no one who has acquired very great wealth, as wealth is now considered; on the other hand we know of no one that ever was kept in the poor-house of his community. 4. We know their general grade of intellect is above the average, and some of them, had they been educated through a regular college course, could have held their seats in the councils of nations. 5. We know a few of them that are graduates of approved colleges and schools of higher education; but they are too few for their ability and wealth. 6. Many of them entered the military service of their country during the revolution and many more achieved honor in battle during the civil war; some of them as brave commanders. The descendants of Dietrich Sitler number nearly a thousand including the Dimms. In religion, they are mostly Lutherans, in politics they are divided, in business they are mostly agriculturists, a few of them are traders, a sprinkling of them are now holding offices of trust. In morals they are honest and trustworthy, they are loyal to their government and quiet law-abiding citizens, they contribute to the wealth of their country more by the mass of their possessions than by any colossal fortunes. It is given out from Washington that the government never assists in the collection of private estates; but if through its consular system the U. S. should bring from the coffers of the German government to the hands of the one or two thousand of its loyal and worthy Sitler citizens, the millions entrusted to it by Baron Von Sitler, it would be a considerable contribution to the wealth of our common and beloved country. Respectfully submitted, J. R. DIMM President Dietrich Sitler German Society IN REGARD TO THE MAIN OBJECT OF THE EXISTENCE OF THIS ASSOCIATION, The search after the estates left by Baron Von Sitler in Germany to American Heirs, we have made little progress. As chairman of the committee on foreign relations, I twice wrote to the Hon. Lyman D. Gilbert for a meeting at his office, but could elicit no reply. I then wrote to the other member of the committee, James S. McLane, of Lancaster. Pa. He informed me that he had a continual correspondence with persons in Germany and was doing what he could. He will either be present himself to report or will have his report here to be read. On the whole subject before us our experience has thrown up before us three propositions, one of which we ought to adopt at this meeting and invite our kindred of the Mathias Sitler German Society to cooperate: 1. That we abandon the whole search and pursuit of the supposed Sitler estates. If not that, then ? ---- 2. That we select and send to Germany a suitable and efficient man to prosecute the search and collection, if anything is found, to a finish. If not that, then ? ---- 3. That we place the whole enterprise into the hands of an organized agency for that purpose, to be collected at their own rish, for a percentage. Respectively submitted, J. R. DIMM The Secretary also made his report. The Treasure presented his report, after which an auditing committee was appointed and the reports were found correct. The Secretary made his report relative to his visit to the tomb of Dietrich Sitler, whose remains lie buried in the old graveyard of Moselem Church, Berks Co., Pa. This revealed some interesting facts. Dr. Dimm and Mr. Straw both spoke encouragingly. REPORT OF REV. J. V. GEORGE, PH.D., D. D. , RECORDING SECRETARY OF THE DIETRICH SITLER GERMAN SOCIETY Dear Brethren and Sisters: -- It affords me great pleasure to meet and to greet you, the members of the Dietrich Sitler German Society of this country. Though less than a year ago we made many of us our first acquaintance, at the State Capitol of Pennsylvania, our relation has developed into mutual feelings of fraternal sympathy. I look back to that first meeting at Harrisburg with happy recollections, that occasion having been one of the most pleasant of my life. For two reasons that convention left a lasting impression upon my mind; firstly, because of the many new acquaintances we formed; and secondly, because of the pleasing events of the sessions of that meeting. Ten months have elapsed since; but this space of time has not in any way separated us, but has brought us nearer together. The many communications that passed between us have drawn the tie of friendship more closely. Or relations have become more affiliated and our sympathies more tender. In consequence of these facts we meet today, not as strangers, but as brothers and sisters, as members of one large family. We meet with one general object in view, and object that may add glory to the future happiness of all who are connected with this large family. Hence our interest in the proceedings of this gathering today is common to us all. We are equally concerned, every one of us. The success of our ambitious movement in the German Fatherland depends largely upon our mutual sympathy and the concentration of our united efforts; and the sacred poet says: "Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, our comforts and our cares;" and this being the case, we must bear the burdens together, and faint not, if we hope to excel. Energy applied does not always depend upon bulk in doing great things, but rather upon concentration of energy. As a society we must be of one mind and work for a common end, and much can be accomplished. At the organization of this society, at Harrisburg, nineteen names were enrolled. These brethren and sisters took an encouraging interest in that convention. It was a pleasure to hear reports from members from different pats of the country. There was an earnestness manifested that made the meeting exceedingly interesting. This same interest, but in greater measure, we hope to realize at this meeting. I say in greater measure, since our family has increased seven fold. We now number one hundred and forty-two members, instead of nineteen. At the had of this family stands one, of whom we may feel proud; one who is a wise counselor, a faithful worker and a true friend. I refer to our venerable and beloved President, the Rev. J. R. Dimm, D. D. There is another factor connected with this society whose indefatigable labors are in the highest degree worthy of our commendation. His zealous labors have, to a great measure, made this society what it is. His letters of encouragement to all parts of the country are counted not only by the hundred, but by the thousand. In his efforts he labored not with a selfish motive, but with the aim and sincere hope of making us all happy, at some time or another, in sharing with him the fruits of his toil. I refer to brother S. S. Pomeroy, of Chicago, our worthy corresponding secretary. When at our meeting, at Harrisburg, our esteemed brother, Dr. G. W. Weaver, through whose instrumentality we today enjoy the kind hospitality of the brethren and sisters of Lockport, proposed that the convention of 1901 should be held at this place, I said to myself, "Is Lockport a proper place to hold such a meeting?" My impression was that Lockport was a small town and possibly no proper hall wherein to meet. On returning home, I looked at my map, (for I have pretty well forgotten my knowledge of geography), and, to my great surprise, I found Lockport not to be a town but a city of note. A few weeks ago I received communications from brothers S. S. Pomeroy and H. D. Sitler, stating the largeness of the place and the population. I was also informed of the beauty and the railroad conveniences of Lockport. I began to think highly of the place. But on my arrival, I learned that the beauty of the city and its surroundings surpass all that was told me, and, like the Queen of Sheba, (when she came to Jerusalem to see the glory of Solomon,) I said to myself, "The half was not told.: Kind friends of Lockport, we are among you. We are your guests. We have come with the earnest desire and the sincere hope of accomplishing a great end. The aim of this convention is known to you all. The object of our investigation is not an air-castle. That some sixty years ago a vast estate in Germany awaited claim from descendants of one Baron Von Sitler is not a myth but an established fact. The instance of Thaddeus Stevens when he offered to make claim of the estate and bring the money safely to this country for twenty-five percent of the whole, (he having been informed of the existence of said estate and its awaiting of claim from the German Government by an authorized messenger) is good proof that we are not beating the air in our endeavors; but that we are in search of a real tangible object that may with our united efforts be achieved. I learn of a second indication of the existence of said estate from the life of my aged father-in-law. He tells me that his father, Frederick Sitler, grandson of Deitrich Sitler, often told him when a child, that at some time or other, the Sitler family in America would inherit an immense estate from Germany. He further tells me that there was in existence at one time a small book containing valuable information in script, on this subject. This book was owned by his father. But it cannot now be found. I have made inquiries among certain relatives, but have not succeeded in locating it. Could this book be found, it would, without the shadow of a doubt, cast a great deal of light upon our pathway, revealing many a mystery. A third indication is, that not only the Sitlers in America are making investigations, but also some in Prussia. A certain Jacob Sitler, of Schwarzenau, is said to be especially interested. Esq. G. Krug, of Marburg, Germany, with whom the society has been in correspondence informs us, however, that said Jacob Sitler works independently, and with a purely selfish motive. He even refused to hand the Esq. Certain important documents for examination. To the report published at Santa Barbara, Cal., in the Morning Press, I give very little credence. That a certain Miss. Naomi Wheelan has fallen heir to so large a fortune as a half million as her share of the property of the late Count Von Sitler, of Germany, is almost to poetic to be believed. If this report, however, is true, than we need no longer question the existence of the alleged millions in store for the Sitler family as a whole. To my mind, a thorough investigation pertaining to the whole affair, should be maid by this society, in connection with the sister society, either directly , or indirectly. On the discussions and the decisions of this meeting pivot all that ever hereafter pertains to the Baron Von Sitler enterprise. If we permit at this meeting the giant to go to sleep, he may not, like Rip Van Winkle, awake in twenty years, but never. The project is then in great danger of dying. We should, therefore, act judiciously in this important matter. We should try to draw our conclusions from well established premises, and not from mere suppositions. If we have a false premise, it follows that we must arrive at a false conclusion, and all our efforts are in vain. If, on the other hand, however, alleged facts pertaining to the matter before us are authentic, - if drawn from reliable sources, then we may look forward for the crown of our efforts. The object of our inquest, it is true, is as yet out of sight; or, at least, but faintly beheld. We have thus far, simply looked at the great wall that surrounds the citadel – the fortress that we must attack. We have not even yet, like Israel at Jericho, sounded our trumpets sufficiently to make the wall tremble; much less, to make it fall. We have not as yet applied our sword with energy. I repeat, investigation with a determination of ferreting out every mystery, is the one and the only resort left to this society for action. To this end ways and means must be devised; and to devise such ways and means is the chief object of this gathering, at Lockport. In all our deliberation , two points must be kept in view. These are: firstly, Is the estate of the long deceased Baron Von Sitler, still in existence, awaiting claim, as we earnestly believe, or has it been escheated by the German Government: and secondly, If it is still awaiting the claim of legal heirs, what course can we pursue in securing it? Before we have arrived at a definite conclusion, and have made ample provisions for all matters pertaining thereto, this society must not adjourn. The future welfare and happiness of our descendants may largely depend upon the decisions of this meeting. If there is a vast fortune to be gotten, why not dig and shovel, until it is unearthed? The external conditions of life are no longer what they were fifty or one hundred years ago. At that period of our history it was an easy matter to make a livelihood. Competition of labor and combinations of capital wre a matter for the future. But that future has come, and, with it many disappointments. At that time, every man of brain and muscle was able to secure for himself and his loved ones, a comfortable home. But things have changed. Few there are now who may call the home in which they live their own. As parents, it is our greatest ambition to make our children prosperous and happy. We pray that like the widow's cruise, their flour-barrel may never get empty. We are anxious to educate them and bring them up decently and respectably. But to do this, means must be a hand; and these are too often sadly wanting. Friends, if we find the gold mine, and remove the debris and the soil and the rocks that cover it, many of you, - yes, all of us, - will be made happy. I urge you, therefore, to action. If our efforts are crowned with success, may Heaven be praised. If our efforts, however, prove a failure, we have the consolation that we have done our duty; and there remains no room for regret. Now you may ask the question: What is the best plan to be pursued in the investigation of this enterprise? No doubt the different members of this organization may present different plans; and this is what we shall all appreciate. Every member who takes interest in the society and its objects, should express his or her views without fear or favor. This will bring out the feelings and sentiments of the society as a whole. I have two plans to present, - either of which, I consider good. But better plans presented by any member, will call forth my heartfelt approbation. The first plan that has entered my mind is: To elect in joint meeting of the Dietrich Sitler German Society and of the Mathias Sitler German Society, a representative, to be sent to the German Fatherland and to remain there until every possible investigation of the archives of the German Courts has been exhausted. This representative or ambassador should be a man of more than ordinary literary attainments. If he lacks in this, he will not be able to accomplish anything. He must be able to read the German documents for himself, for the reason that he may not be deceived. That such a man may be sent, ample provision must be made. There should be no lack in money and should the society decide upon this plan, all provisions, as far as possible, and as far as this branch of the family is concerned should be made before we adjourn this meeting tomorrow. The second plan, and the one which to my mind is better, and, therefore, the more advisable, is, to give the entire enterprise into the hands of some responsible firm or collecting agency, and for investigation, promising a certain percent for collection and for bringing the fortune to America. This plan, if it can be carried out, may save the society much trouble and a large amount of money, should the project prove a failure. I now thank you for your kind attention and wish you Heaven's blessing upon the speedy acquisition of the object of your yearning hearts. (signed) J. V. GEORGE Secretary Dietrich Sitler German Society. On motion, the society adjourned to meet on Thursday, Aug 22nd, 1901.