The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-02-01
FRAUD CHARGED
AGAINST AN OLD
SEATTLE PIONEER.
Uncle, Thos. Clancy, ST., for m Ac-
coating Of His DOings N Admin
istratOr Of His Brother's Estate.

Fraud in the settlement Of the estate Of
his dead brother IS the charge made against
Thomas Clancy, sr., one of the pioneers OF
Seattle, in a suit Just filed IN the superior
court by Mrs. Annie Nj Cunningham. Of
Lowell, Mass.
Mrs. Cunningham Is the daughter OF
William Clancy, who died in Seattle near
ly twenty years ago. leaving an estate
which, il Is said. Melted his heirs about
$500. The probate court settled the es-
tate and distributed ii among the persons
entitled TO share III il years ago. Thomas
Clancy acted as his brothers admiHistra-
tor in making the distribution Thomas
Clancy Is still an active figure In and about
Seattle, but only few old-t!mers recoiiect
that such . person as William Clancy ever
lived. II Is hardly likely that his name
would ever have been brought into public
notice again had ii not been for the fling
Of his daughters suit. Now, however, II
promises 10 become quite familiar before
the litigation Is ended.
Mrs. Cunningham virtually charges that
IL was through The diversion OF property
: from her fathers estate that Thomas
row enjoys. Among the property she
claims was her fathers and should have
been accounted for 10 the latter's heirs. is
the lot at the corner OF Second avenue
south ana Washington street, which now
yields an income OF hundreds Of dollars
month.
II IL Mrs. Cunningham's claim that for
a long time prior TO her fathers death, in
ISIS, large amount Of property which he
owned stood In the name Of his brother,
Thomas. Her father, Mrs. Cunningham al
leges, was a very tgnoran; and liliterate
man and was accustomed 10 rely great
deal upon his brother in the mana cement
Of his property More than that, she al
eges her father during several years be-
fore his death was involved in domestic
difficulties which led him 10 wish to con-
ceal the extent Of his property as far as
possible from his wife.
Mrs. Cunningham alleges that when
Thomas Clancy was appointed afm.nistra-
tor he reported to the court only such . OPP
erty and goods belonging TO his brothers.
estate az stood In the Iatter's name and
concealej or destroyed papers and youch-
ers which would have revealed the truth.
In this respect, Mrs Cunningham. aiieges
that her uncle betrayed his trust. She says
that she never knew the truth regarding
her fathers affairs until last June. Taen,
she states, she made demand or. her, uncle
now she asks the court TO order r.
Prosecuting Attorney James F. McEIroy.
who has lived in Seattle MI his Nfe and
who for years has been the legal adviser
Of Thomas Clancy. will defend the letter
against Mrs. cunningham's suit. While
not willing 10 ~ into The details OF TIE
defense Mr. McF.lroy states without ouali-
fication that there IS not ti- slightest foun-
datiou FOR the charges made. Never be-
fore he says has bis clients honesty been
questioned
Mid" said NJ. MeEirov. ''T am no.
saving that Mrs Cunningham Is attempt
ing 70 blsckrnail Mr. Clancy. Sfa may hon
estlv think she has A Just claim hut she
Is surely mistaken have talked lh~ mat
ter over with M Ciancv anf with the old
psonsers who will he his witnesses AZ tire
rial 81 nd thew all give me every assurance
that this "a the case. knew both Of the
brothers wears ago. ana IN, personally
aware OF the fact that while wi'Iian made
money he was ere az those fbaraf. good
hearted fellows who never save II all
went as fast as he received -. For that
reason Ne fie7 a ramrs ~ ttyciv poor nan.
1T was Thomas CLANCY WHO was The
saving man ~ the tw0. We was afwars a
money walker. Ffe earned good wages and
saved them ard he'd hee~ seirg for
wears before hfs bother Wi"iavs came %
Seattle TIE vas always }he~a' With his
relatives ard 7 know Oe~s@-aiw that he
'aanns william tire money 20 s'fv some ~
the real estate the tettar owned - the
time ~ his death The money had net
then been rerai3'