Talk about trying to collect on an old debt . . .

I've gone thru some pretty odd wranglings trying to collect on some accounts receivable in my day, but this one takes the cake!



It seems way back on 21 June 1861, the City of Tampa was scrambling to prepare its Civil War defenses. So, acting mayor John Jackson agreed to pay the firm of Kennedy & Darling the sum of $299.58 plus 8% annual interest to repair a cannon and provide some ammunition.

The thing is, they never paid the bill.

So, now Kennedy descendant Joan Biddle (age 77) is suing the city for principal plus interest (and, perhaps, nearly a century-and-a-half of mental anguish) totalling $22,700,000.00!!

But, something tells me the modern City of Tampa has some fat cat lawyers who will be able to shoot down her claim.

For one thing, Mrs. Biddle seems to have lost sight of the fact that the City of Tampa incorporated in 1855 but was abolished for insolvency in 1869. It is most likely that any legitimate claim for collection would have died at that time. The modern City of Tampa was not incorporated until 1887, so realistically cannot be held to account for the expense of what was technically another entity.

For another thing, Biddle's ancestor Thomas Pugh Kennedy was only one-half of the Kennedy & Darling enterprise. Presumably, the descendants of his partner John Darling would be entitled to half of any claim.

But, really, can't we all just agree this is one of the most frivolous lawsuits to come down the pike? Talk about a classic case for tort reform . . .

Ah, well, if you want to check out a REAL account of the Civil War, try reading my book: Like the Cats of Kilkenny.