The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-05-27
Miss Flint Sues TO Recover
Those Given Friend.
Are Worth $4,000 and We're
Given Out of Friendship.
The Donors Feelings Have Changed
y Since She Made the Gift.

New rOrk, may S.-Mlss Heiena II riilti
whose father left her large fortune is
suing her former friend aud companion,
Miss Eleanor M. Ruthrauff, in the
supreme Court before Judge Chase, for
he recovery of SIS, 600 in bonds. The
relationship which existed between these
wo women for 10 years, caused much
rouble in the family of Miss Flint. she
: sister of Edward and James Flint.
Miss Flint is about 40 years old Her
ormer friend Is more than five years her
unior, well proportioned and attractive
II appearance. The hair OF each Is
| I,lightly tinged with gray story, as
old by Miss Flint Is that 10 years ago
he made the acquaintance of Miss Ruth
'auff through an advertisement Miss
tuthrauff was then anxious TO become
he companion Of some wealthy woman.
ifter their meeting they becams greatly
,ttached to each other, and from that
ime on they were inseparaDle. Ihey
yed together. travelled together, and
cpeatedy declared that each was the
,ther best friend on earth.
Affection Was Too Great.
Miss Ruthrauff was i'll for time, and
ier life was despared Of. After her con
alescence Miss Flint took her 90 Nara
.ansett Pier and subsequently to Europe,
NHtTO SUt WIS Iittltu tt tbo ooi
,aths The members Of Miss flint's fam
y tried To persuade her 20 sever her con-
lection with Miss Ruthrauif, but her
ffection for her companion was so great
hat she refused to give her up, and the
Consequence was that her relations with
or family became strained.
The bonds in dispute consist of SlO, 600
4 Brooklyn Elevated Railroad Company,
~, 900 Western Union collateral trust
lortgage and 5000 Metropolitan Elevated
Railroad Company. During the early
eriod OF their companionship Miss Flint
ala her friend $50 month, and subse-
uently, when she placed the bonds in the
anne of Miss Ruthrauff in the Lincoln
afe Deposit Company, where she had her
wn safe deposit box, this monthly al
)wance was cut of, as she told Miss
.uthrautf that she could have the income
rom the bonds for her support and main
snance. One condition was that II she
lrvived Miss Flint tho bonds were never
go TO Miss huthrauff's family, but
'ere to be transferred to Miss Flint's rel
tiyes.
Profuse In Her Thanks.
Miss Flint originally made a will plac.
lg the S25, 600 in trust for her friend. II
Did her the provision which i made for
er, " testified Miss Flint yesterday, and
he was very grateful. Sho assured me
.miiy or anyone related 10 her If she sur
wed me, and that she would leave IL TO
~ relatives she knew my family dis
ked her, and she spoke about their obJec-
ons to the will. She was profuse In her
banks tn me and was moved TO tears. y
This will was destroyed soon afterward
Miss Flint, who then placed the bonds
the safe deposit company, SO that Miss
uthrauff could receive the income dur
hg her life.
"She told me, f" explained Miss Flint
that she would make will in my favor,
aving everything she possessed TO me. I"
Miss Ruthrauff health required that
10 should go abroad again in the summer
1894 1t was her Intention 10 remain
bout two years, and Miss Flint was soon
follow her there. Before going abroad
iss Ruthrauff placed the bonds In ques-
on with the Second National Bank as
llateral security for letter Of credit for
900 and the bonds have been In the
Issession of tho bank ever since. Miss
uthrauff remained In France most OF the
me until the latter part Of 1896 when
be returned TO this country. IL was dur
z her stay there that she and Miss Flint
nd "A dispute about the ownership of the
bnds, through their correspondence,
hich soon put an end to their friendship
nd resulted in the present law suit
Says it Was Absolute.
Miss Flint asserts, through her counsel
Thu Root that she never lost control OF
e ponds and was simply allowing her
lend the income from them, while Miss
uthrauff, who is represented by Delos
cCurdy and Charles ]. Runk, insists
at the gift to her was an absolute one,
ithout any conditions
Miss Flint testified that when Miss Ruth
uff went abroad in 1894 she gave her
emission to spend $3.50 month, but,
her health required her Co take the
tths, ne-ebjection was made Co that
ira expense. They corresponded twice
week and on several occasions when
iss RuthrauH wrote an account of her
peDses Mss Flint would reply that she
ould have.to be more economical. ms her
bcome had decreased by reason of the
banciai depression. In one of her letters
Miss Ruthrautf she wrote: I'm past
|ars | have been very fond of you, but
L look back IL seems TO me your tests
my friendship have been very severe -
he insinuatod in one of tho letters that
ss Ruthrauff had used more money
ian she had permission TO- which
used her frienu much pain, and in
riting In reply, said:
You know i am not dishonest, but
hen you accuse rue Of withdrawing
ithout your knowledge and consent YOU
tcuse me of dishonesty. Such "a cruel
cusation drives ire Insane. ] left Paris
bcause i could no longer sleep thinking
IL. / am toe wretched and unhappy 20
re to live, and II this affair is not soon
titled i don't intend 90 lear the burden
uch longer. The strain upon my mind
hd heart Is very great.
The letter continues by referring To tho
ct that Miss Ruthrauff earned her living
nee she was sixteen years old, speaks of
iss Flint as the person she loves hest on
nth, and ends by saying, "God in
hayen, help me, for earthly help is
bne"