New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-22
THE COURTS.
A CAPITALISTS sECLUsIoN.

MIR. HARDIN AS WEALTHY BACHELOR AND OBSCURE
BENEDICT.
One OF the marvels of metropolitan lie IS q
case trial In the Surogates Court. IL Is the his
tory OF importer who during rs years earned TWO mil
lions and honorable reputation, and moved day by
day among his business aequaiDtances an wealthy
bachelor and yet night after night went to hs home In
an obscure quarter OF the city to meet lady who
claimed and was acknowledged TO be his wife, and q
few no'shbors who knew him under an assumed
pamc ana dreamed that he was millionaire
George Hardin born in the early part OF this cen
tuy near Belfast Ireland, and came to THIS country ih
his 2ls He established himself In business In this
city as an importer of Irish linens and subsequently DO
came tie agent OF Belfast house. Doing business al
ternatey IN william, Pine, Broad, and Lbertysts., he
pros1eTod grew rich Those who had business deal
ihgs with him knew nothing OF his private life {;
his chosen comrades in social life had no
knowledge OF his business relations. He retcent,
Eerlng frugal almost penurious; his business acqnant-
ances supposed that he rich old bachelor and rev
OF them knew where he lived. He finally retired from
the importing business and Increased his fortune by
buying commercial paper and making investments IN
safe securities His circle Of acquaintance was very
large and he was well known by leading Irish residents,
and yet for nearly Is years he lived married man
under an assumed name in an obscure street 10 the
Ninth Ward
In isis gentleman 30 years old, and lady 20 years
younger, leased plain twOsory house in Cornellast
HIS landlord and his neghbOrs knew them as Mr.. and
Mrs' Walker. young man named Searles, with MS
wife and two boys, occupied the second hoor OF the
house for year. and afterward kept up the aeqnaint
ance. Mrs. Dunn living across the street, and few
Others occasionally visited them bus they seldom made
or received calls. Iu the directory his name was
recorded George Walker" He purchased the
house. and lived there with his companion until
bis death. On the morning Of March z, 1872
George Walkers few acquaintances saw with amaze
ment the announcement that George Hardin had died at
No % Cornea.st and after tho funeral they heard
with increased wondcrment that their old friend, Mrs.
Walker, who had lived so simply and plainly among
them for many years had applied for letters of All
ministraton the estate OF George Hardin which con
sisted mainly OF personal property worth s2OOUo Inc
administrators in such are forced 70 give bonds FOR
double the value OF the personal estate but as this
out OF tho question the Surrogate placed the
securities in the hands Of the United States Trust Com
pany and then granted the letters of administration
AT this iuncture nephews Of Mr. Hardin, residing In
Belfast. inerposed claim that the lady was Mrs. wal
ker, and Mrs. Hardinhis mistress aud not his Wife,
As Mr. Hardin had left no WILL onehalf OF his estate be-
longed to this lady, IL she his wife. There have
been several sessions OF the Surrogatc5 Court In this
case, and additional testimony will be offered today
The contestants, through BurriD, Davis & Bur, arc
attempting 20 show that IL was not legal marriage ;
tho lady through Robert H. COrbett aud the Hon John
X. Porter, maintains that it \ summary OF the
testimony will be found below
Dr. Moses d. Van Pet was Mr. Hardn's physician for
3 years. In 1919 Inc asked 10 prescribe Tor Mrs ar
DIN, and called frequently at the rouse IN Coine!la-s
They seemed TO be devoted couple ana called each
other husband and wife. FOnr years laCr Mrs Hardin
recOunted the witness the OF their mar
Tiage. He had made her acquaintance when sac was
hrs. Walker. and after conyerslng many times on inc
subject OF marriage he suddenly proposed one nght
inat they should be married. sne consented;
they went TO the house OF Justice
and were married. They took possession
of the house Mr. and Mrs. walker but az the Justice
had died and they did not know the name OF the witness
TO the ceremony she rendered very anxious beng
the wife Of man who was living under an assumed
name. the witness told Mr. Hardin what his VIE had
said and be confirmed her account OF tho marriage
Upon n subsequent occasion, TO relieve AIS wites IN
finger and 81 put this ring upon this woman'5
finger and declare her TO be my welded wlie DO you
said che DID so declare him. Mr.. Hardin then satd We
are aud wife In the sight OF God and man." Suisse
quenty Mr. Hardin said that his vile should nave one
half OF his estate.
Mr. Henry and Others who had frequently visited Mr..
and Mrs. Walker affirmed that Le nad always IeSOS
nizad her as his wife.
Mr. searles's son, clerk in tho Farmers Loan and
Trust Company surprised when lis Old friend, Mt
Walker dividends under the name OF Hardin. nut
he subsequently aseertaned that Walker was an as
sumed
Mr. Bllagh, an acquaintance Of Mr.. Hardin. knew the
FIRST husband OF Mrs. Walker His name was Robert
walker; he took to ms cup. and his body was removed
10y the pOOT-hOuSe heaF5c from Dench near ftcncbs
Hotel. This % 80 years ago. The oon,cstants
claim that mis- sot was alive at tine moment "IGh afs
walker represents that she married 10 MI Hd.dll
premises Duanc-st 20 Dr. simon johnson, ana claimed
10 DO unmarried Per contra, he had no interest IN the
estate except executor. though no gave uJe 10 the
property absolute owner.
daughter and son-lu-aw OF Mr.. Crow, OF whose es-
tate Mr. Hardin was executor, had always supposed
that he bachelor. Tney were not informed Ol his
illness By Mrs. walker until just before his death.
Mr.. Gray, nephew oil hr Hardin, during ms Visits TO
this country In 1858 and 1885, frequently Mr. Hardin
and Mrs. Walker. She tod the wigless that her
father was Presbyterian clergy ml that sIe Lad run
away from hjme and been married 20 Walker, with
whom sho came 90 America and that she hal never
heard anything ~ hln after bis departure Tor CdliOhi
and that MI Hardin nad overcome her scruples Nv ms
"bIarney." she had made inquiries iof Robert Walker
but had not traced hin.
Testimony was introduced 10 show that Mr. HARMS
last Illness studOusly concealed b. his confidential
clerk, his attorney, aud Mrs walker, from al MS Ousl
ness acquaintance also that the testimony OF certain
witnesses for Mrs. Walker was not worthy OF BELIEF.