The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-01-21
LERCHE wASSOLE EXECUTOR.
ALLEGED TOHA VEsOLD 1HE WROURKB
ESTATE 10 mrs OWN WIFE

The Nystic's sister Attacks tho Transsction
from Ons Point or View snd Bund
Ton.'s Creditors Attack II from Another.
The Surrogate 10 inaurlng into the alleged
control which AlbrechtJ. Lerchs obtained over
old and eccentric Felix +. ORoutke whose
mystical religious life was the theme for sew
sral years Of the gossips about the Highlands OF
the Eavesink. O'Rourks married Mary Ilarts-
horne who belongs to the old family Of that
name. members OF which own almost all OF
the Highlands which front on the Navesink or
Shrewsbury River In pre-revolutionary times
they owned all the way round to the Atlantic
Highlands as well as Sandy Hook. but they
ceded the Hook to the Government and sold
most Of the land facing on SANDY Hook Bay.
After his marriage to Mary Hartshorne
about thirty-1vs years ago O'Rourke settled
on the 2l3 acres Of land running down to the
Shrewsbury which was set apart as his wits's
share OF the large Hsrtshorne tracts facing the
ocean. nearly opposite sesbrlght He travelled
about with his wife considerably unfl about
ten Years ago. and thereafter lived almost con-
tinuously at the Highlands. He became very
devout. and had a chapel erected In his house.
He was feeble OF gait and was seldom seen
about the busy part Of this place where the
bridge crosses to the Hook and the hotels are
1t was after he had become 50 devout that he
became acquainted with Lerche. who was
summsring at the Highlands. and who Is now
charged before Surrogate Fitzgerald with vir-
tualT obtaining for himself this large tract OF
land which has been vAriously valued in the
sworn evidence before the Surrogate UP to half
q million dollars Teresa O'Kourke n sister.
who is proceeding against Lerche before the
Surrogate. says that erche W as always count.
Ing his beads when he met old OKourke. aud
that he used to leave his beads at theO hourke
villa and thereby had occasion to call again.
They soon became fast friends anu were much
Lefche is an Alsatian who has been in this
country almost since a bny. lie Has yorker
on leather at first. aud then was let ur by his
mother III the leaihel goods business N I ort-
lnndt street. lie gave his up and was en-
ployed ns a patent solicitor at NasmnGton
practising lawyer. with an Office In the ,tewart
building; He admitted before surrogate fiiz-
gerald that he had not been admitted to The
bar, but no held himself out as lawyer for
Patent Office business. Ierche, who always
carried a black bag while h. hal his Office IN
the Stewart building, l. said to have worn old
linen most Of the time. and impressed the
gave up the office in that building recently.
His mother, who died several years ago. LETT
shsh ia claimed by his brother 10Th fr.derisE
William I.erche, priest, who has spent long
period In south America as a missionary;
to the church OF the ASSUMPTION. Father
Lerche was unable to get his brother Albrerht
rents so he brought suit against him. claim.
ing $4,000 back rent. The priest got ludG-
Court for the amount he claimed. but the de-
fault was subsequently, opened and the case
The wife Of o'Rourke died about ak wears
ago Leaving all her pr9nsrty to her husband ann
H.,bsn sh has ssB of re ch ss
the guardian Of the person and estate OF Blind
Tom. She had money. which her adversaries
as the committee of Blind Tom. but which shs
did not credit TO the estate Of Blind Tom. She
deniss having taken his money. and a suit TO
compel her, committee of Find Tom tn |
turn over to the estate OF Col Daniel Holland !
about 5000 for legal services to Mind Tom.
T. pending before "A referee. Such fortune as
Mrs lerche possessed was an important fac !
tor In the alleged procurement OF the U Rourke
The will OF O'Rourke left three quarters Of
his estate to his sister. Teresa u'kourke. his
friend. Albrecht !, Ierche." lie made l.erche
ths sole executor, in which capacity Lerche
two years ago The land and the house upon
II have since lain idle. In November. lNi1. |
Freehold. 1t is alleged that Lerche had it lid
In for his wife at $4,000 sub Get to IA mort
trust as executor in So acquiring the property
The land which stands in the name OF Mrs
the one side and also in behai I oil the creditors
Of Blind Tom on the other, who seek to have it |
declared that il belongs t? his estate, because
purchased with Blind Toms money.
In the proceedings which have teen occupy
ing the attention Of Surrogate Fitzgerald dur |
have Lerrhe removed as executor because
Of his transactions in connection with this
eompofent. and does not undeT;tanS his
duties ms executor" Her coun II. William
II. Townley. SAYS the stsps for his ro-
him accountable for the loss practically OF the |
estate John H. Farrar swors before the Sur
rogate that lie had learned that land near the
VEnurkc tract has sold for s.. UUO an acre and
10 rising in value.
Mr. Eerche supports his administration OF
the trust. saying that II has been honestly ad-
ministrred The case will come IN again be-
fore Surrogate Fitzgerald on Jan. 81.
SIYs LII IL MlINER nEER IunEn uIM