The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-19
WIDOW BENTLEY BEATEN.
III LOSES ABSOLUTE CONTROL OF
HER HUSBANDS ESTATE.

yond Her Capnrity-The Family Reconciled.
The widow Bentley case which created n
social sensation in Jersey City about three years
ago, has been settled in the Chancery Court
against the widow. and abe and her children have
become rcconcilcd. Mrs. Emma Bentley Is tho
widow Of Peter Bentley, n wealthy lawyer, who
died about twelve years ago, leaving an estate
variously estimated 10 be worth from a quarter
TO a hals million dollars. She is u handsome,
well. preserved woman ON the sunny side Of 80.
when her husband was living the Bcntleys
were prominent in society, and the entertain.
ments given in the old homestead at Harrison
md Yves. aldo avenues. were among the ultra
fashionable social functions. Besides a widow
and u handsome fortune Mr.. Bentley loft seven
children. The eldest, Eleanor b., is the wife Of
Warren Dixon, son OF Supreme Court Justice
Dixon. The next. Emily T.. is tho wife Of DIR.
Rector. Tho others nrc Peter, a lawyer; Rich.
ard, John, Parker. and Eugene. Mrs. Bentley
was made sole exocutrix of her husbands will,
with absolute power to dispose of the real estate
as she pleased as long AS she remained n widow.
The family was united, and Mrs. Bentley man
aged the largo estate with n great deal Of tact
and business ability.
After the usual period Of mourning Mrs. Bent.
ley went into society again TO some extent. One
OF the social stars in her set was George T..
wheodon. n handsome. stalwart young man.
who had everything necessary TO promote his
social aspirations except money. In a short
time Whecdon's attentions to the handsome
widow became noticeable. He became a con-
slant visitor at tho old homestead, but It was
supposed for n long time by outsiders that his
visits were paid TO the widows son Peter, who
was his intimate friend. The family knew bet
ter, however. Most of the time wheedon spent
~ tho hnpGfs We. Gnnnt trtth NTye nAa,tz-
They sat in the dimly lighted parlor together,
whilc the other members of the family were in
another part OF the house. After awhile young
WhCcdon became Mrs. Bcntiey's escort to social
functions, and to theatres, and on evenings
when they were not out somewhere he was at
the house. In the course Of time Mrs. Bentley
began 10 convert the real estate into cash. She
explained that she was Obliged to do it in order
to pay debts and household expenses.
About this time young Wheedon's marked at
~tentions to Mrs. Bentley began to cause trouble
in the family. The widows son-in.law, Warren
Dixon, became impressed with the idea that she
was selling the real estate for some other pur.
pose than to pay debts. He remembered that
her husbands will empowered her to dispose Of
the estate as she saw At so long as she remained
a widow. Putting that clause OF the will and
Wheedon's devotion TO the widow together
$500 800 w N'AbNt bht Az ttu
his suspicious to his wife and some other menu
bcrs OF tho family. The family became divided.
Mrs. Dixon, her brother Peter. and her sisters,
Eleanor B.. who was not then married. and
Eugene, decided that Wheedon must go.
Richard, John, and Parker sided with their
mother. Mrs. Bentley resented the interference
OF her children, and refused TO give up her ac-
quaintance with Wheedon. That young gentle
man was told by Peter Bentley that his presence
in the house was Objectionable, but he thought
otherwise, and continued his visits.
The trouble eliminated one night when Peter
found Wheedon stretched at full length on a
lounge, smoking a cigarette, and ordered him
from the house. Wheedon, who was waiting
for Mrs. Bentley to come up from the dining
room. refused to go. A personal encounter en-
sued, and Peter was worsted. He procured a
warrant for Whecdon's arrest on a charge of
assault and battery. The constable with the
warrant found Wbcedon in the Bentley mansion
and placed him under arrest. Mrs. Bentley
persuaded the officer to wait for a few minutes
while she donned her street attire. which in.
cluded an elegant sealskin coat, and she accom-.
panied the constable and the prisoner. She was
up. She went with the constable and Whecdon
until she procured bail and secured wheedor's
release. Whecdon escorted her home. and the
constable did not go with them.
ve one =, night .Shbo suSSS s.a while the family
how they would like 10 have Mr.. Wheedon for a
stepfather, and minated that she contemplated
marrying him. She said afterWard that she
seriously. This was on New Years eve in 1893.
On Jan. Q. 1894, Son.in-law Dixon causel an ap.
p~lication TO be made to Chancellor McGilI fora
not be granted restraining Mrs. Bentley
from further management of the estate.
time for the appointment OF a receiver
TO take charge OF the estate pending an
Bentley fought the application vigorously. She
eng tged ex.Gov. Brdle. and after his death Cort-
landt Parker and Earle Insley took charge OF
the case. The plaintiffs were represented by
Gilbert; Collins. now Supreme Court Justice.
Several bearings were had before Chancellor
pointed William A. Lewis receiver and enjoined
Mrs. Bentley from receiving the rentals or dis
posinRof any part OF the estate. At the hearings
Mrs. Bentley WAS always accompanied by Whee-
don; Much family history was disclosed in the
testimony, and II was also brought out that
In each other through taking part in private
theatricals, both OF them being more than ordi-
After the appointment Of the receiver, Whee-
don got employment with tho United States
Express Company, and 1t Is said that he Is now
The question Of the removal Of Mrs. Bentley
as executrix was referred TO Vice Chancellor
against Mrs. Bentley. The Vice-Chanceiior says
that he Inmates the value of the estate at be-
tween $3.50. 600 and 100000.
tate" he continues, with respect to sales and
renting. | think the defendant has succeeded as
wei as he tcstator had any right to expect. 1
am unable to believe that at the time he made
the codicil he expected to die leaving the estate
In the complicated and embarrassed condition It
was in when death overlook him. No doubt, II
ms estate had been free from debt. and had ac-
CURED such proportions that the income would
support his family, his widow would have been
quite competent 10 manage It,. But he was com
parativcly q young man when he died, and had
been launching out mo hazardous operations,
ana had permitted taxes to accumulate and be-
come Hens TO u large amount Of his estate. To
manage such an estate. extract 1t from its diff
culties. pay the debts, and at the same time
manage "A large family OF young children was be-
You'd the capacity OF the defendant"
The decision holds that the court has no power
70 remove Mrs. Bentley as executrix, but its
power to enjoin her from further management
otthe estate and from disposing of the personal
estate, and to appoint q suitable person as re-
ceiVer, is undoubted. Tho Vice-Chancellor de-
clined to state when and under what circum-
Stances the court might withdraw the restraint
ana restore the management OF the estate to the
defendant.
In refusing to allow her costs. he said:
She set up an unfounded and. / think, I'M
warranted claim to the complete control Of the
estate, and her conduct shortly before tho filing
OF this bill was such as did In fact alarm her
children. and | think there was enough at least
mil 10 Justify their alarm"
The costs were ordered paid out of tho estate
ana Mr.. Lewis will continue as receiver.