St. Paul daily globe., 1893-03-24
DUCHESS TREATED WELL.
Mariborough's Bequest to His
Second Wife Regarded as Re.
imburSement.

Mariborough's Bequest to His
Second Wife Regarded as Re-
imbursement.
Among clubmen and society people
the provisions of the will OF the late
Duke Of Marlborough were to some ex-
tent topic for discussion yesterday,
says the New York World. In probat-
ing the will in the English courts the
dukes estate, valued at 1882, ,702 or
81, ,763.5 .5l5, was disposed OF. 1t Is said,
however. that the figures given repre-
sent the nominal value OF the dukes
securities, and that the amount realized
on their sale will be very much less.
Solicitor Spencer Whitehead, known to
some Of New York's leading lawyers,
and Lillian HamerSley, the widowed
duchess, are made executors of the will.
The present duke, the ninth of the
name, besides coming into possession OF
the entailed estates, gets permission TO
select 950,000 worth of chattels, but
should he sue he loses all. Besides this
bequest and one of &20,000 to Lady
Colin Campbell, together with small be-
quests to servants. the unentailed real
and personal estate goes to the Amerl-
can duchess, Lille Hamersley.
This last clause is eeritication OF the
expectations OF American friends OF
Mrs. HamersleY. 1t has been understood
by her friends that the duke would
leave charge on the estate to reim-
burse his wife for advances OF money.
"While Marlborough was possessed or
the Churchill streak he was not bad
fellow, and the will means that he is
doing the square thing by his American
wife," said an intimate friend OF the
late duke yesterday. Continuing, he
said: "A remark the duke once made
while we were driving at Tuxedo I'M
pressed me. 1t was: What can you
expect of man whose life is burdened
with debts and three acre roof full or
leaks?'" Mrs. Hamersley had 10 pay
out money to fix the roof of Blenhelm
palace before it was habitable.
There is no intimation, as far as the
World reporter could learn, that Mrs.
Churchill will return to
America. Her London home is at Garlic
ton house terrace.
The Duke of Marlborough and Mrs.
Lillian Hamersley were married by
| Mayor Hewitt June 30, 1888, at the New
| York city hall land after a long search
| found minister who would celebrate
the ceremony, Rev. d. &. Potser, OF the
Sixth Street Baptist church of this city,
| having no ScrupleS about marrying a
divorced man. Mrs. Hamersey had
| then and still has the income of an eS-
tate OF So. 200 or $6,000,000 left her by
her first husband, Washington Louis
Hamersley.
A hitherto unpublished incident in
the life OF the Duke of Marlborough is
! brought out by the discussion incident
| to the publication of his will. Along III
the 'S0s, when he was mixed up Ill the
Lady Ailesbury scandal, he secured
from Lady Ailesbury a package OF the
Prince of Wales love letters addressed
to her. He was asked to be the Gus
todian of the bundle. The duke, to in
sure the safe keeping of the package, sc
the story goes, put it i'll the care o.
Lord Randolph Churchill, his younger
brother. Lord Churchill, at that time
acting as secretary to his father, ther
lord lieutenant of Ireland, guarded tht
bundle as best he could. One day h'
was surprised to receive visit from
queens messenger, who demanded th'
letters. Churchill refused to give then
upon the ground that they were not MI
property. but simply intrusted to him
and he was responsible for their safety
"On your allegiance as subject the.
are demanded" was the ultimatum III
received. He inquired who had sen
the message. He was told the Prince Of
Wales. "Well, when he is sovereign ant
sends me such message l will re
spect it." was Churchill's answer
Fearing further opportunities, however
he, together with his wife (nee Jerome
of this city, sailed for new York, ant
in midsummer they occupid the Jerom
home in this city. Churchill brough
with him the bundle of letters, and a
last accounts they were in box IN I'll
vault of safe deposit company dow
town. Those who are familiar with thi
chapter in the Churchills' life, and the
are limited in number, are wondering
the package still reposes IN this city, t
the concern of the future king OF Grea
Britain and Ireland.