New York Times, December 1, 1892

MR. CLEVELAND SUMMONED.

Infrastructure -- Public - Government : Bonds

A SHERIFF GOES TO HOG ISLAND AND SERVES THE PAPER.

RICHMOND, Va., Nov. 30. -- President-elect Grover Cleveland, who is now enjoying himself gunning at Broadwater Island in this State, may appear in court here Monday. Mr. Cleveland was this afternoon summoned to appear on that day in the Richmond Chancery Court, to answer a bill of complaint against Lawyer Willis B. Smith of this city.

This suit was instituted a year ago last May. The plaintiff set up a claim of $5,000 damages for an alleged breach of contract for services rendered in connection with Virginia's debt. Mr. Cleveland was Chairman of the Advisory Board, to whom the Olcott committee agreed to refer the matter of Virginia's debt. Associated with the next President on that board were ex-Secretary Bayard, ex-Minister E. J. Phelps, and several others. Mr. Smith names all of these gentlemen as defendants in his bill, as also the members of the Olcott committee, the council of London bondholders and Mr. James M. Mason of West Virginia. The latter is not connected with any of these bodies, but was prominent in assisting them in bringing about the settlement of the debt, which but a few days ago was disposed of finally.

The plan which was submitted by the Olcott Committee was submitted to and approved of by Mr. Cleveland and his associates on the board, and accepted by the foreign holders of the bonds. Smith's suit had almost been forgotten, but was revived when he and Mr. Royal attached the $24,000,000 of bonds sent here by the Olcott committee to be funded. They were only released upon an indemnifying bond being furnished for the amount of Royal's claim. Smith, however, had not lost sight of the matter, and had been waiting for some of the defendants to enter Virginia. A few days ago the Clerk of the Chancery Court here was asked to send a summons to the Sheriff of Northampton County for Mr. Cleveland. This request was complied with, and to insure the prompt serving of the paper Mr. Smith inclosed the Sheriff's fees.

When that officer got the summons he was in great doubt how to act. He telegraphed here to the Clerk of the court to make sure that the papers were intended for President-elect Cleveland. He was assured that they were. The Northampton Sheriff left Eastville to-day for Hog Island, and a telegram from there announces that the papers were formally served upon Mr. Cleveland to appear in the Richmond Chancery Court on Monday morning at 11 o'clock.