The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-05-12
HETTY GREEN SUED.
The Woman of Millions Tries to Es-
cape Her Lawyers Fees.

New York, May 12.-Hetty Green, she
of untold millions, was hailed to court
today in a suit brought against her by
Smith E. Lane, lawyer and clubman.
The action was contested in Part III,
trial term, of the supreme court, with
Justice Fitzgerald presiding, and the
sum at issue was $1,000, which Mr.. Lane
alleged to be due him for certain legal
services rendered to the woman finan-
cier.
yer, John NJ. Bowers arrived early at
the court room. Spring and its gentle
promptings had evidently moved Mrs.
Green, for her toilet was strictly up to
date. A dark waist, a brocaded satin
skirt, satin cape and a spring bonnet
made up her costume.
Twelve men were secured in short
order to pass upon the merits of Mr..
Lanes claim. Franklin Bartlett, the
plaintiffs attorney, made brief state
ment of facts to the jury, at which Mrs.
Green vehemently shook her head, and
with the calling of Mr. Lane the case
was officially gotten under way.
Mr.. Lanes specific complaint was
that in 1895 he appeared before the tax
commissioners in Mrs. Green's behalf.
She was taxed $2S,000 on a personal
property valuation of S1,500,00O. Mr..
Lane, by untiring efforts, according to
his own statement, extending from April
l to June 1, 1895 had the taxes set aside.
This service, he said, he considered rea-
sonably worth $4,000.
In a moment OF extreme commence,
Colonel Bartlett, attorney for Mr.. Lane,
whispered to the jury that Mrs. Green
had offered to compromise the suit by
a payment of $400.
moment He demanded that the jury
be drawn and mistrial be declared, on
the ground that Mr.. Bartletts state
ment was clearly improper.
Justice Fitzgerald denied the motion,
and Mr.. Lanes examination proceeded.
Mr.. Lane testified at great length. He
read to the jury voluminous typewrit-
ten account of his action in Mrs. Green S
behalf. Mrs. Green meanwhile shook
her violet-bonneted head occasionally
in denial.
When Mr. Lane said Il consider my
services to Mrs. Green worth $5.oOO. -
the violet bonnet bobbed up and down
in vehement protest.
Lawyer Bowers sailed briskly into the
plaintiff in cross-examination. and tried
to show that because Bridge Commits
sioner Lane had not a regular law office
from 1890 to 1895, his legal services
could not possibly have been so gilt
edged as to be worth $1,000
Mr. Lane denied vehemently that he
had accepted Mrs. Green's law business
on a distinct understanding as to terms.
He said that Mrs. Green "held him up
at the Chemical bank. shook her finger
at him most threateningly and com
PEELED him to sign an agreement, al
though he could not say definitely what
his charges would be.
The agreement was put in evidence.
1t was under a Chemical bank letter
head and read: As to what 1 shall
charge you in the matter of your tax
| assessments, it will be made satisfac-
tory to you after the approval of Mr..
Green"
what did Mrs Green say to you
| when she held you up by taking hold
| of your coat and shaking her finger at
| you?'
"she said if did not sign the paper
which she dictated she'd throw me out
| of the easel"
Ever held up before?" asked Mr..
Bowers.
Not by womanI" thankfully replied
| the plaintiff.
Senator Frank Pavey was called as
| an expert. He testified that he thought
| Mr. Lanes claim against Mrs. Green
was just and proper. Justice Fitzgerald
| reserved his decision and the case went
| over till tomorrow.