The sun., 1899-07-08
IT'S CHARITY MISPLACED.
CHURCH SEEKS TO RECOVER MONEY
PAID TO MRS. BoESE

She Was Supposed to Be a Pauper and tho
De Kalb Avenue Congregation Supported
Her for YeRrs-After Her Death 1t Was
Found Tint She Was Worth over $4,000.
Mrs. Jane Boese. on old woman, who was
supposed to be very poor. died the day before
Christmas. 1897. She was buried from the
bare. cheerless rooms in which she had lived
for years at Al Spencer street. Brooklyn. and
the De kalb Avenue Methodist Church. which
tho old lady attended. was relieved OF
one OF its regular charity charges. Some
OF the women OF the church had discovered
Mrs. Boese living in supposed poverty several
years before her death. and aiterward the
church practicay.took care OF her. She used
to tell the church people that their charity
was all that kept her and her husband from
the poorhouse. The chief mourner at the old
lady's funeral. her husband having died seven
months before. was nephew George s. Kelk,
who is policeman, living at 438 West Thirty
fourth street.
1t appears that Mrs. Boese instead OF being
poor was comparatively well to do. having left
over $4,000 hidden away in her looms and de-
posted in savings banks. besides quantity Of
Jcwery. somo Of which was quite valuable.
Now tho De Kalb Avenue Methodist Church.
through its treasurer. Marvin Robbins. is seek
ing to recover the amount it contributed to-
ward her support, through AN action brought
against kelk. who was appointed admins
traitor Of his aunts estate. AS a preliminary
to the trinl OF tho action Kelk was
examined before Justice Beekman OF the Su-
preme Court Yesterday and then the story OF
the old lady's wealth came out. The examina-
tion was held under order from the Court.
after p. II. Vernon. attorney for Mr. Robbins.
had made application to examine Kelk before
the trial. to enable the plaintiff to properly
prepare his case; Kelk's testimony and Mr..
Clerk yesterday afternoon.
From the papers IN the case and Kelk 8 story.
1t appears that the latter IN looking over his
in an old trunk in bureau drawers. in stock
ings and in other places In her rooms various
sums sun 70 Of money aEsregatinG S'S477., Besides
some OF which was set with diamonds.
eeameos and pearls. Alterward he found two
Of Br"ofiyn roc % amounting m to Ssa e} } and another T
fshoT1g an q qesoant ,,S IL % the Brooklyn sayings
pointed administrator Of his aunt = estate
When Kclk had closed up oil Of his late aunt's
affairs he happened to mention to friend on
fortune he had discovered, 1t was from this
policeman that Mr.. Robbins heard of the estate
left by the supposed pauper to whom he
years. He consulted his books and found that
since 1892. the, year in which he became
the church up to the time OF her death $977. .O4
He brought the facts to the attention Of the
other church officers: and he wac authorized
to bring suit against Kelk. as administrator. to
recover the amount. together with interest
and costs. on, the ground that the money had
been obtained through false pretenees.
the Mutual Bank Of this city and the Brooklyn
Savings Bank that he stl holds as admins
The trial Of the action will take place when the
fall term Of the Supreme Court opens.