The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-12-09
In AND ABOUT THE CITY
an HEIR OF HA,dMERsLEY.
James Kent Mason Spending a Few
Daye "a Savannah

OayE IL CIV SAAGI.
\ personal in yesterdays MORNING NEWS
announced that Mr.. aud Mrs. James Kent
/ Mason OF New YORK, with their two chill
dren and two maids, were stopping at the
De Soto. Mr.. Mason is one of the contest
ants for tie estate Of the late Lewis c.
/ hammersleY of Ne s. York, whose relatives
have been endesvorIng since his death 20
break the will and secure what they con-
sidered their rightful portion of the estate.
Ibe case he's been made famous by the
marriage OF Mrs Lewis c. Hammersley 10
the Duke of Marlborough, aud subsequent
! litigation by the other heirs to prevent the
English duke from enjoying the use Of the
Hammersley fortune.
Lewis c. Hainmersley's estate is esti-
mated to have been worth between
eight and nIre million dollars
by the terms of the will produced by his
wife after his death. she IS given the use o;
this immense property for life, and has alb
solute control Of il. Since her marriage 10
to Duke of Marlborough the money has
Teen spent freely to restore the wasted for
tunes of the duke.
Mr. Mason was seen at the De Soto last
night by MORNING News reporter, end
was asked If his connection with the case
was such IS it has been represented to DO by
tie newspapers, and if it was true that he
bad come south 20 escape the reporters
THAT is positively the truth,n said Mr..
Mason. II have been worried almost out
Ct my life by newspaper reporters since l
have figured prominently in the contest
over tbs property"
Mr.. Mason was somewhat reluctant to
speak about the case, having had all the
notoriety he desired in this connection, but
he explained his position in the affair, and
talked very pleasantly upon the subject.
My reasons for opposing this WIZ he
SAID, ARE that in the first place don't
believe the will produced was ever made By
Lewis Hammersey, or if it was, it was OBJ
tanned by fraud, aud | am unalteracly
opposed 10 allowing so much good
American money to be taken out
of this country to recuperate the
fortunes OF an old soul. who married
an adventures for her money and whom
she married for his title She may be
willing to give this money to repair the
broken fortune of broken-down nobility
for the sake of his title. but we need money
too badly in Amer ca Just now to allow it."
do you call the Duchess Of Marlbor-
ough an adventuressF he was asked.
Certainly. That is just VIVA. she is. She
succeeded by her schemes in marrying my
cousin two years before his death, and
afterward gave his fortune to the Duke of
Marlborough to gain q title. Neither l nor
any OF my family, had any dealings with
her that we could avoid"
What is your interest in the estateg' Mr..
Mason as asked.
II cannot name an exact figure. Lewis
Z. Hammersley was q very generous man
and had he disposed Of the property himself
ne would have been very generous to his
relatives. He would also have given sew
eTal millions TO charity. If we succeed in
breaking the will l will not receive less
than $3.50. Goo TIE duchess has compro-
missed with a number CT the claimants,
including my brothers and sisters, and has
endeavored to buy me off. l called on her
at her special request one day and she
offered me $4,000 for my claim,
which, of course, refused. told
her that to close up the
sake Of the family, l would settle for
$4,000. Ny lawyers were angry when
they heard this, and said / should not
think of accepting less than 100000 besides
lawyers fees. l have six lawyers employed
and will carry the case to the court of
appeals.
"My interest in the case is as much for
family pride as for the money involved.
The money came from the Masons origi-
nally. My grandfather, James Pierre Ma
son, was the first president Of the Chemical
Bank Of New York, and left a large fortune.
Had my uncle died few months
earlier than ne did, my father
would have inherited the fortune, which
would have descended to myself and my
brothers and sisters. Being so nearly cos
nected with the estate, l have a decided
objection to seeing this fortune made III
Ameriga by Americans spent in rebuilding
the castles of the Duke of Marlborough.
l feel that have moral as well as legal
right in the estate.
80 decided are my convictions on this
matter that | have made a clause in my
will delegating TO my heirs as a trust to
continue this struggle. The money itself is
not an object to me, as l have a sufficient
fortune OF my owns'
MIR. Mason is q young man, tall and hand
some, and of very pleasant manners. He
expressed himself as very well pleased
with Savannah and intends spending several
days here He win go from here TO Florida
with his family, where lie has farm and
winter residence. The Mason family is one
Of the eldest and best OF New York.
If your lung trouble is Of sscrofulous