The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-12-15
By the Death of a Son of the
Eccentric Millionaire,
Mother, Daughter and Sister of
George Richardson
FIGHT FOR A FORTUNE
The Daughter Was Brought Up
as a Cinderella.
Story of the Contest for Joseph
Richardson's Millions.

New York, Dec. 15.-By the death, in
Bridgeport, Conn, on Sunday night, of
George Richardson, son of the late mil
honaire resident of the "Spite house" Jo-
seph Richardson. George Richardson's
widow and daughter Annie, who have
been brought up in comparative poverty,
become successors to his share of his
fathers estate, which Is estimated at ST.
has not yet been admitted to probate, so
that George Richardson died before en-
mony. The estate is still in the hands of
J. Jamred Butler, who was appointed tenn
Mr.. Butler has in his possession cash
and securities amounting to about S5,OO0,-
600, but it is asserted by lawyers who rep
resent the other heirs, that Miss Della
Grace Richardson, Joseph Richardson
daughter, has about $lO,0O0O00 belonging
to the estate which she will be force to
surrender, and others value the total es-
Two wills were found after Joseph Rich
ardson's death; one dated April q, 1897,
dividing the estate equally between his
widow and two children. and an earlier
one in which the widow was ignored and
the estate divided between the children
The last will was contested by the chill
dren and, although the case was summed
In any event the widow and daughter of
George Richardson will inherit third OF
Joseph Richardson's estate.
For many years George Richardson was
a poor man. Despite his fathers great
wealth he was employed at a small sal
ary as superintendent of the Bridgeport
Hydraulic company He lived in a little
frame house, and his wife, who was the
daughter OF a country Storekeeper, had 70
do her own homework, and in general
lived the life of poor mans wife. Their
daughter, who becomes an helresS to mil
lions, was brought up as a Cinderella.
She was taught to help her mother with
the Homework, to wash dishes, darn and
sew.
There has been no change in their life
since Joseph Richardson's DEATH for the
estate being in litigation they had derived
no benefit from it, Until the surrogate de-
cides which will shall be admitted to pro-
bate they cannot receive a penny from it.
The estate will, no doubt, be somewhat
reduced by the expensive litigation and
other charges. Nearly a dozen lawyers
were employed in the will contest, among
them being Thomas Darlington, Wheeler
H Peckham, Mayo w Hazelune, DEAN
cey NicOll and William T. Washburn.
Dr. Robert N. DiSbroW, who attended
Joseph Richardson during his fatal illness,
several weeks ago asked the surrogate to
allow the payment of a bill of $500 for
his services during q period of two months
lowed until the will is prObated, and then
it will be contested as excessive by the
day is $50, and the last item on the bill
is 800 for holding himself in readiness
to be called to Mr.. Richardson's bedside.
Joseph Richardson amassed his wealth
as a contractor and Spectator. He first
came prominently into public notice Is
years ago, when he erected what became
known as the Spite house at Lexington
avenue and Eighty-secOnd street He
owned a strip of land five feet wide, and
erty refused to pay him the price he de-
manded for it he erected the house ON it
and lived in it. The door was SO narrow
that his coffin could not be carried out
through it, and a window had to be en-
larged for the purpose.
The litigation over his will was made
sensational by the eccentricities of his
daughter, Miss Della Grace Richardson.
who lives the life of a recluse at No. 10
fused to obey subpOenaS and was several
times declared in contempt of court.