The record-union., 1891-01-31
lee F0EG GEES MONEY.
Various Persons Anxious to Have the
Handling of It.
Public Administrators, Past and Pres.
emit, at Loggerheads-The Widows
Rights Discussed.

Superior Judge Catlin's Court was
crowded yesterday afternoon with the
elite of Chinatown.
The attraction was the contest over the
appointment of an administrator of the
estate Of Lee Fong Gee, the reputed
wealthy Chinaman who was killed some
time ago, and who left no will.
Judging from the numerosity of petit
tons for letters of administration, some
fat fees and pickings are anticipated. Ex-
Public Administrator Harlow, and the
present Public Administrator, Mr. Bron-
ner, each want to have the handling of the
estate, and were on hand yesterday with
their respective attorneys, Robert t. Dew
lin and ex-Judge Armstrong. The other
petitioners were Lulu Gee, the daughter
of the deceased, and the widow. The
latter was represented by Grove L. john
son and Albert w. johnson. She does not
want to administer upon the estate her.
self, but her petition asked that Lee Hong
4ung be appointed.
RATHER COMPLICATED.
Besides wanting the letters, Messrs.
Harlow and Bronner have separate
fight to settle. They want it decided first
if either of them is entitled to the privi-
lege OF managing the estates affairs, and
If this is settled in their favor they in
tend having contest as to which of them
is entitled to the letters. Mr.. Harlow
considers that inasmuch as the China
man came to his death during his adj
ministration, he is entitled to them, while
on the other hand Mr.. Bronner declares
that he is now Public Administrator, and
all estates of the nature of the one in
question belong to him.
When the case was called up yesterday
afternoon attorney Albert w. johnson,
on behalf OF the widow, asked permission
to Withdraw the name of Lee Hong Yung
and substitute Herbert G. Melvin as the
widows choice for administrator. The
reason for making this change was, said
Mr.. johnson, for the purpose of avoiding
future complications. Lee Hong Yung
was a foreigner, and consequently not a
proper person to administer upon an es-
tate.
Attorney Deylin objected strongly to
the proposed change of front on the part OF
the widow and her attorneys. There was
no law to warrant such action, he said.
EX-Judge Armstrong also opposed Mr..
Johnson's proposition.
THE WIDOWS RIGHTS.
Grove L. Johnson then argued that the
widows rights in the case should be re-
spected. There would be no great ca
lamity if her request was granted. The
attorney then read the law, showing that
the widow was the first person in order
for letters of administration on the estate
OF a person dying intestate, and if she
does not wish to administer upon the es-
tate herself she can select some other COM
petent person to represent her.
Mr.. johnson renewed his request to be
allowed to make the change suggested,
and asked that further hearing of the case
be continued for two weeks, so that he
might have ten days in which to give
notice, as called for by the statutes.
Mr.. Devlin and Judge Armstrong were
relentless in their opposition, however.
Mr.. Devlin declared that the proposition
was preposterous, and intimated that the
Messrs. johnson were trying to clog the
wheels of justice.
'.It strikes me that the shoe is on the
other FOOT interposed Albert w. John
son. 1T looks very queer to see two at
torneys here in court fighting for two
Public Administrators, and opposing the
petition of disinterested citizen on be-
half of the widow of the deceased"
Judge Catlin cut off further debate, say
ing that it was unnecessary. He was
satisfied that the widow had right to be
heard, even if it did inconvenience 9TH
ers. He did not consider that she for
teited any rights by withdrawing one
candidate for administrator and substi-
tuting another.
The court then continued further hear
ing of the case for two weeks, when the
real contest will begin.