The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-06-17
sTRUGGLrvo roR THE LEaKE EsrA TIE
James Hay Trying to Establish his Right to
Hundred Millions.

Justice Barnard, in Brooklyn, on Friday,
dismiss I'd the demurrer IL the suit Of James A.
II. Hay. a Scotch clergyman, against John Hay,
n liquor dealer OF this city in which the possess
sion OF n claim TO tho Lcake estate. said to bo
worth one hundred million dollars. IL in contro-
vcrsy In 1908 John @. Lcakc. a rich old bach
elor. died in this city. and his property. valued
at 5000 900. was forfeited TO the State there be-
ing no heirs ut law. In 1926. in London. james
Hay persuaded some Of his relatives, pretended
heirs Of John G.. Lcakc. to vest him with legal
right to prosecute their claims before the Lcgis-
laturc Of this Stnte. He journcycd to this coun-
try, leaving wife in England instituted suit.
md in 1896 n Legislative committee spent much
he WINS a ilncal descendant Of Robert Lake or
l"ake. hut reported adversely to the claim. This
did not daunt Hay He continued TO prcss the
claim. lie lived in gnrrct In Nillmshurgh.
with mn English-born woman whom he met in
the old country. and who in 1887 followed him
o. this country. She died In 1880. while living
with him in North Second street. daughter
which WIS born 10 her about five months after
Hay, and in a short time the girl found herself
~ the pentcnuary. and aftcrward In worse
Ton years ago advertisements appeared for
Harriet Wight or any of her drs rcndants and
James Hay responded Harriet Wight being the
wife just referred to. Her only heir was tho
house in Houston street. On going 10 England
with her. he ascertained that. her mothers
a.
lion pounds. - one-third of which the girl. il
she was the legitimate daughter Of Harriet
Wight was onttlel; Tho legitimacy Of the girl
was cont, sted. In the investigation the lawyers
discovered the existence Of q previous wifi. the
mother Of James r. Hay. the present plaintiff
She was traced from Glasgow 10 New lOrA and
after n aborious search was found in 1865 in
the asylum on Blackwells Island. where she
had been fog, nearly thiriy-three years. She
was taken 10 England. and her testimony. which
was given to show James liays's previous mar
riagc. thoroughly established the illcgtimacy
Of the daughter Of Harriet Wight and ruined
her prospects for the fortune. The sisters Of
Harriet Wight. however. provided for her.
Tho plaintiff in the present suit lived In Gas-
gov. until he removed 10 Canada n few years
axe. james Hay was taken care Of by his ncph-
CIV. John Hay. In this city until 1870. and then
he died, Will In his rephcw's favor hc-
Queathed 10 him all his interest in the Leake
estate. When the will was offered for Probate
IA Kings county. j.. Il. Hay objected. hut n
compromise WIS made by which $1,000. which
WAS in Government bonds. was divided. Suhse-
guentiyJ II. Hay heard that John Hay had had
James Hay pronounced lunntic. 10 avoid a
power OF attorney which the old man had been
induced 10 sign in favor oi n lawyer who had
ly means Of it sought to obtain the money. He
then Instituted the present Proceedings to
nnnul The compromise and Ia have the Will set
aside. Justice Barnard's decision gives the
defendant leave 10 answer within twenty days