Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-09-20
The Hudson-Page Suit.


There is renewed interest in the Hud-
son-Page suit which has already become
quite famous, by reason of information
recently received by eX-Surrogate Ran
som, attorney for the plaintiff, that the
claim which he has set up on behalf of
Emma j. Hudson to share in the estate
of James w. Page may involve a much
larger sum than was at first supposed.
When the case began it was thought
that Mr.. Pages property amounted to
only about $4,000, but Mr.. Ransom says
it may reach 100000. This additional
property is said to be principally in
cash deposited with institutions in the
West.
Mr.. Ransom said recently that he
shouldn't bother his head about this
feature of the case, however, until he
had succeeded in establishing the mar
riage between his client and Page.
In an interview with Mr.. Ransom he
says: "When Page died all of his papers
were lost, and the marriage certificate
disappeared with the rest. She Fnew
little about the amount of property of
which he died possessed. He left no
will, and about $4,000 in cash, which he
had on deposit in Brooklyn, passed into
the hands of the public administrator,
Davenport.
Mrs. Page knew of no way of estab-
fishing the marriage, and was without
funds to prosecute the suit. At length
some of her friends in Brooklyn inter-
ested lawyer in the case. He become
convinced that her story was true, but
was at loss how to proceed, Last May
the lawyer went to Rastus Ransom and
told him the story.
Mr. Ransom thought it almost in
credible, but finally acceeded to his
friends request to have an interview
money, and was employed, as she is still,
in store in Harlem.
She went to Ransom's house by ap-
pointment, and after he had cross. s.exam-
ined her for two hours, he became con-
vinced that the facts were as she stated
them and agreed to take the case up
without any recompense unless the mar
riage could be established
After Mr. Ransom had sent his circu-
lar letter to all the po masters in New
England he kept making Investigations.
He sought out one of the men who
thought he knew about the marriage, a
well known resident of Bennington,
He has not appeared publicly in the case
at all, and his name is withheld at his
desire.
He became interested in the almost
hopeless search. and shortly afterwards
he called at Mr.. Ransom's Office. He
had no direct information to give, but
suggested that with his knowledge of
the country, a theory of the route taken
by Page and Miss Hudson might be
worked out.
With maps and time tables dating
back to 1885, he and Mr.. Ransom went to
work. By sort of inductive process,
they arrived at the conclusion that Man
chester, was probably the point at
which the couple left the train. The
VermOnter supplied the information
that about half an hours ride from the
Manchester station was hotel known
as the Munson house.
Mr.. Ransom put Mrs. Page on train
with an agent of his and started them
for Manchester Mrs. Page was not told
where she was going.
luC uldu updulCl
Mrs. Page as far as North Bennington,
where they were met by Deputy Sheriff
John Nash who went to Manchester with
her.
The trip was so planned that she ar
rived at Manchester at about midnight,
as had been the case before. Mrs. Page
recognized the station at once, and de-
clared that it was there that she and Mr.
Page left the train.
After this trip Mr.. Ransom secured an
adjournment of the proceedings which
had been begun by Public Administrator
Davenport to render ar accounting and
pay the funds to his custody to the dead
mans next of kin, halfbrother. Chas.
Page of Beverly, Mass, and a niece
named Reiny, living in Cheyenne.
Following this came the taking of
testimony here and IN Manchester last
week, which was finally adjourned to