The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1878-12-12
Widow RaIstOn's Wealth and Folly.
[San Francisco Chronic.el

About year ago the once handsome
widow of the late William &. Ralston at
tracted a considerable share OF public at
tention and comment by reason Of thestate-
ments that she had fallen into the tolls Of
certain skillful and adventurous young and
needy gentlemen OF the world, and particu-
larly those Of New Yorker, who aban-
dOned wife and children for this more
profitable affection. This unfortunate
woman is again brought prominently before
the public, this time in the role of person
incapable Of taking care OF the liberal
means provided for her support by the
friends OF her deceased husband, an appeal
having been made to the Probate Court of
this city 20 provide a guardian for her per-
son and estate. The action was brought
some months ago, and was on the point of
being compromised through tie interven-
ton of A. A. Cohen, who was acting in the
capacity Of friend. 1t was arranged that
she was to have the benefit Of the proceeds
from an investment OF 100000 contributed
by the friends olready referred to, but that
she was not to have access to the principal.
Subsequent to this she made demand up
on Mr.. Cohen for the sum OF $50 900. This
he declined to furnish, saying that she
could only receive $500, the amount of the
monthly instalment upon the investment
for her benefit Thereupon she withdrew
from the arrangement and secured two law
yers to represent her. To make the cause
of the action clear, it will be necessary to
rehearse little of the history OF Mrs Rails
ton: After the financial ruin and tragic
death of her husband, W. C. Ralston, she
was, through the generosity OF his wealthy
friends, endowed with a fortune, tie income
OF which was sufficient to enable her, with
ordinary prudence, to live in the elegant
style to which, az q wife, she had always
been accustomed. But little of this for
tune, it is represented, is now left, and to
prevent the too rapid disbursement Of that
little, the appeal mentioned has been made
The action was commenced by A. ]. Rails
ton, J. d. Fry and J. G. L. Wadsworth, and
the pleadings allege that OF the fortune Of
something like Sl75, 900 given to her, Mrs.
Ralston had already qandered about $780,
900 in reckless living and supporting and
maintaining one or more persons having no
legal claim upon her. 1t is also alleged
that there Is in the possession Of Wells, Far-
go & Co. some $40, 900 belonging to Mrs. Raj
ston, and of which che has demanded payment
and the prayer is that, in order to prevent
Mrs. Ralston and her children from becom-
ing beggars and becoming charge upon
public or private charity, and because Of
her mental Incompetence to manage her es-
tate, guardian be appointed to take charge
OF her estate and Of her person. The order
forbidding the payment by Wells, Fargo &
CO. Of the monev was made until the action
should be dispos,d of, but by a subsequent
order Mrs. RaislUn was enabled to obtain
-, 900 OF the money. The person under
whose baleful influence Mrs. Ralston il sup
posed to be acting iSthe young New Yorker
Candor, and il Is shrewdIv suspected he is
now in the neigh borhood of Cheyenne, or
even nearer this city, and prepared to come
on or run of, as his necessities may require,
at a moments notice. Mrs. Raiston is now
in this city, her home At present being the
Palace Hotel. 1t is said she has furnished
an additional reason for the appointment
Of guardian besides an undesirable PEN
chant for rowing young adventures, and
that cheering social custom has gradua-
ted into an requirement that is more con-
vivial than communicable.