The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1876-03-30
The Embarrassment Of a Lawyer
Who was Supposed to be Very
wealthy.

The Embarrassment OF q Lawye.
Who was Supposed to be Very
wealthy.
[New York Sun, March 22d.]
Mr.. William G. Barrett, well.known
lawyer and politician, sailed from this
city on Saturday last for France, broken
in health and spirits, and an insolyent
debtor to several estates of which he is
executor and trustee. Mr.. Barrett came
to New York from Ireland thirty five
years ago, and has ever since been actise e.
ly engaged in the profession of the law.
Ten years ago the firm with which he was
connected was Barrett, Brinsmade & Bar.
rett, the latter being George G. Barrett,
nephew of William G. Barrett, and now
Justice of the Supreme Court. Mr.. Bar.
rett and his nephew took an active part
in the onslaught upon the Tweed ring in
1871, and George c. Barrett was elected
Justice on the reform ticket. Mr.. Amasa
a. Redfeld had taken the place Of MIR.
Brinsmade some years before, and after
tho election of Judge Barrett to the bench
Mr.. J. L. Hill took the place of the Judge
and up to last week the firm was Barrett,
Redfield & Hill, William G. Barrett being
the head.
Notwithstanding his long residence in
the United States. Mr.. Barrett retained
. strong Irish accent. and often provoked
laughter at public gatherings by his
quaint, impassioned speech. His reputa.
ton for honesty was such that he was
named Us executor in several wills and
made the trustee Of several estates. His
troubles have been gradually growing for
years past, until within = few weeks they
eliminated in hopeless insolvency and
bankruptcy. He was very reserved in
regard to his private business, and the
members Of his firm profess entire ieno.
rance of its details.
On Wednesday last Mr.. Barrett's mind
was SO severely agitated that his physi.
clan directed him peremptorily to 70
abroad and remain away for several
months. On Thurtday he executed q
power Of attorney, giving charge Of all his
affairs to Nevin w. Butler of Brooklyn,
and that gentleman is busily unraveling
the accounts. At the request of his
partners Mr.. Barrett also retired from
the firm. His difficulties seem. to have
originated in unfortunate speculations in
stocks. He holds ameng his assets q
large quantity Of South Carolina scrip,
quoted at Ave in the stock reports.
On Tuesday last Mr.. Barrett conveved
by deed to Daniel Torrance, of $40 Fifth
avenue, the premises on the south side Of
Thirty.ninth street, 235 feet west Of Lex.
ington avenue; also premises on the
north side Of Thirty.fourth street, 15O
feet west of Second avenue. This con.
vsyance Was to secure money due to Tor.
rance. s:: . =. =,
Mr.. Redfield says that Mr.. Barrett {
departure was not secret, but we'll known
TO- his immediate friends and neighbors
and thatit was expected that he would
return in tho autumn. He did not be-
lievezthat Mr.. Barrett's Indebtedness tc
the estates IN his care would amount to
$500, 900, or anywhere near that sum-.
! Among those who are said to be sui:
feferssby. Mr. Barrett's departure is Mrs,
Do Grafse Livingston, formerly the widow
Of Mr.. .Messier, : gentleman Of consider
able wealth, who died about TWENTY-FIVE
years ago, leaving a:son, Louis Messier
aged about six and thirty, and 1 daught
err Gertrude, ten years younger, who is
still unmarried. Mrs. Messier was the
eldest daughter of Robert Hyslop, !.
hardware merchant Of this city, who be
queathed to his numerous children con
] M Msldera blepropcrty Nr. Barrett was thu
trustee Of the Mcssier estate. RI ,:sTs@