Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-05-08
JOHN STETSON'S WEALTH.
1t Nay Yield Rich Pickings for the
Lawyers.
Adah Richnond's Claim Discredit-
ed by Friends Of the Well-Known
Bostonian-A Denial from Gus
Williams-Stil Another Alleged
WIFE

Wife
New York. May THE doubts as 20
the existence Of a viii disposing OF the
pro2er,y Of the late John Stetson, Of
Boston. having been disDelled. the ques-
ton that now interests the public is;
How many women viii claim the es-
tate? He left everything to his wife,
Catherine Stokes, who died so suddenly
several days ago. but, as previously an
noulced. Adah Richmond, the actress,
claims to have been Stetson's vile, and
at least one other woman is expected TO
put in a claim.
If all that Adah Richmond says can
be verified by the facts. she is marve.
among women. Believing herself 10 be
the legally married wife Of John S'et-
son. the millionaire owner OF theatres
and other establishments. she has 1or
several years calmly stood 70 one side
and allowed Kate Stokes TO wear the
Stetson diamonds. occupy the Stetson
mansion preside at the Stetson din
ners. spend the Stets0R income, ana
be regarded by the world as the only
lawful Mrs John SteNon.
Miss Richmond, in speaking OF her
ALLEGED marriage, said: In 1871, while
I was in the Howard A;henaeum Com
pany. he (Nir. StetsOnl persuaded me 10
go 10 Providence and get married.
There were no witnesses TO the mar
riage which vas performed by MIN
lister whose name l think was Ransom.
When we came back TO Boston there
was a dinner in honor of the wedding.
/ think Gus Williams, George Bowman,
who is now the stage manager OF the
Howard Athenaeum; Harrigap ana
Hart and some Of the people connected
with the theatre we're at the dinner, al
though il has been so Ions ago that
have forgotten
A telegram has been received from
Gus Williams, who is at present IN
louisville. in which he says ne does net
remember any banquet ar which Adam
Richmond was introduced by John
Stetson as his wife. and he is confident
that Stetson was not married 10 her.
Abe Hummel. wn1 vas Ste'San's legal
representative in this city. was sur
prised to hear Of Miss Richmond 5
claim. He said: Il knew John Stet-
son intimately. and am we'll acquainted
with Adah Richmond, but | never heard
that they had been married. Stetson
fell in love with Miss Richmond in 1870.
and they were intimate for time, but
neither OF them ever told me that they
We're married.
"AGah Richmond remarked an old
time close friend OF John Stetsdn, is
a very interesting figure in the story OF
the life of AIr. StetsOn. whose career
vas certainly more varied than that
which falls TO the lot OF most men. II
Adah Richmond was ever the wife OF
John Stetson no record Of II appears at
the registry in Boston. Mr.. Stetson
was first married at the age Of "a ac-
ccrding to his own acknowledgment
in the license to Melvina WoodSon. OF
Great Falls. \. H.. who gave her age as
q. That union continued until 1870.
when Mr. Stets0n wanted divorce.
His wife had left him. in consequence,
as the story is told. OF some discoveries
which she made. and nobody knew
where she was There was some talk
that she had gone to Australia. After
ward he ascertained. | believe. that she
was dead He wished 10 be free. at all
events. and took the ordinary course of
securing a divorce without publication
in the newspapers and personal service
az the last knOwa place OF reference.
do not believe that he ever married an
other person than Miss Catherine
Stokes"
Col. Austin. manager OF the Palace
theatre. Boston. said that Adah Rich
mond called on him about a month ago
and made a remark about the Stetson
case that is likely to make a big sensa-
ton when it comes out. 'She assert
ed said Col. Austin. that shortly az
ter she was married to Mr. Stetson
woman came frorH Lewiston. Me. and
told her that Miss Richmond was not
his lawful wife; that she herself had
been married TO him, and she produced
what purported to be marriage certi-
fcate showing the ceremony to have
been performed in Boston by a Boston
clergyman She said she had a child
q boy, by Mr.. Stetson. but had been I'M
able to live with her husband: and Miss
hlcOlhCNu WIS WtiColNe 10 MN. IT she
wanted him. In case Of his death. how
ever, the Lewiston woman intended, she
told Miss Richmond. to claim all she
could get"
4 mysterious yelled woman attended
Mr.. Stetson's funeral. and Col Austin
said there was little question in the
minds OF those familiar with the fam
lily and with Mr.. Stetson's history. that
il was the alleged Mrs. Stetson, % Lew
iStOn
There Is much SPECULATION as to the
amount Of StetSGns fortune. which is
variOuSly estimated at from 81 goo 600
TO $S.O00000 Ii is known that he
owned a controlling interest in the
Boston Herald which is valued at ST.
10000. besides a great quantity Of real
estate. stocks and bonds. It is an es-
tate that would yield rich pickings for
the lawyers. and offers dazzling posi-
Utilities TO the claimants. 4 long and
hitter struggle over the estate is ex-
pccted. for, in addition to the above
claimants. Mr., Stetson's father was ig-
6Ored in the will