The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-12-01
MOTHERS HONOR
and MILLIONS.
That Is What Mrs. WeIIens Is
Fighting for in Court.
HER pARENTAGE At STAKE
The Late Millionaire Bennett Denied She
Was His Child and Bsqusathst His
Big Fortune 10 Charities.

declares that her mother hohof ~ i""ie
precious than s,Ooo,Ooo, is anNiously
awaiting the decision of the Orphans
Court, of this city, by which she may ac-
quire not only the fortune, but an unsul-
led parentage or perhaps lose both
lrs Imogene E. Bennett Wellens' the
alleged oisowned and disinherited daugh-
ter of the late Col Joseph M. Bennett, Is
contesting his will In order to do so she
has dragged into publicity family skel-
seton that has been lying half forgotten
for many years.
col" Bennett--ths sobriquet was fan
ciful--made fortune manufacturing SOL
ders' uniforms during the Civil War ana
running a clothing house. which ne called
Tower Hall. The establishment became
famous because it's advertisements were
written in verse by ''The Bard OF Tower
Hall"
The tailor's wife was the daughter OF
n dyer and her little fortune Is said To
have helped the husband to start In busi-
ness. That was 10 years ago. After
happy married life OF IL years their
rirst child. imogene. was born.
she WAS the idol OF her father ana the
idol OF the store" one old woman said IN
court "Col Bennett would bring her To
to admire.
THE SCANDAL BECOMES KNOWN
The little one was Z years old when the
Bennett scandal became known 10 Phila-
delphians.
The husband brought suit for divorce,
asserting that his wifs was unfaithful
and that Imogene was not his, but the
child of the family physician. ThS de-
n Ill ..rl hVn
Bennett and Imogene were turned out
OF their home In disgrace.
Then the mother had her innings, for
two months later she petitioned the court
90 have the divorce set aside. and her
request was granted. The wife contended
that she had been forced Ii confess her
supposed wrongdoing to her husband at
the point OF dirk and revolver, but
then" as tho witnesses explained a few
days ago "she always was q frail woman
and easily led"
The family physician denied absolutely
that hs had been guilty Of wrongdoing
With Mrs. Bennett Curiously enough.
COL BENEFITS evidence In this proceed
fng cannot be found. Mrs. Wellcns' law
yeYs contend that there was conspira-
cy against Mrs. Bennett, in which her
husband was involved with four other
persons. These witnesses, who were said
fession, or repetitions of IL from her
mouth, are all dead.
Hints are made that Mrs. Bennett was
lmpersonated during the divorce pro-
ceedings by another woman.
A letter written about the confession
by Mrs. Bennett TO a friend. and imme-
diateIy destroyed, also figured In the pro-
ceedings. The decree OF divorce was set
aside. some say, through a legal techni-
,fhA hA wyffa hal atsF-
fsred injustice. Mrs. Bennett then sued
her husband for divorce and obtained
II.
''Col" Bennett later posed as bach
eior. He grew wealthier and retired from
the clothing business. made profitable in
vestments in real estate AND acted the
role OF philanthropist.
HE said that charity covered a multi
tude OF SINS" one OF the witnesses tes-
titled, and that by philanthropy he would
buy HIS way into heaven"
THE MANS EccENTRICITIEs
The millionaire's life was a fabric OF
eccentricities. His house in a fashion
able quarter, was boarded up, dilapidated
and dirty
zone winter" woman friend OF the
family explained. "he would not allew n
fire to be built during cold weather. and
Noi0 Ills nltttS tildt III I1tS were colu nt
would buy them electric brushes TO rub
themselves with. He insisted upon sleep
Ing with his head to the north"
II think that way myself" the court
remarked.
He slept on four chairs, .,
did Mr.. Bennett sit up on the four
chairs or lie down on them?' asked the
counsel
The witness blushed as she replied
81 never saw him I'm bed"
Col" Bennett would also ny into fits
Of rage. sweep the articles on tables 10
the floor pile furniture in the middle OF
room and kick his safe. One OF these
passions resulted from his niece eating
her blackberries as the last instead OF
the first course at breakfast.
Meanwhile Mrs. Bennett was unrecog-
nizcd and disowned Her daughter grew
into womanhood. and 30 years ago mar
rfed Mr.. Wellens. an importer OF linens.
They live I'm beautiful home near Lo-
gan Station, and their grounds consist OF
~ acres OF valuable land.
Mrs. Bennett died about four years ago,
and her husband on September so 1898.
Col" Benefits fortune was bequeathed
chiefly 10 charities and public institutions.
The University OF Pennsylvania was left
the Chestnut Street Opera House and
four other properties worth more than
stsVrffVtN. iHt fitI1puiti tspltf0Hdl nos
pitai. one OF "Col. Benefits pet benefac-
tIons, was made residuary legatee
The will distinctly stated that Col"
Bennett's next OF kin should not inherit
but Mrs. Wellens could only clear the
stigma from her family name by contest
ing tho distribution or the estate. so she
contended that her father suffered from
an insane delusion regarding the chastity
OF his wife aud paternity OF his child. and
therefore the will was invalid I'm so far
ss his wife and daughter were concerned
The philanthropist's eccentricitics were
rehearsed TO prove his mental state and
Mrs. Benefits character was praised.
Her character was OF the finest" one
OF her old friends said she was love-
~ Christian woman; the most sacrificing
in the world. Her whole pleasure MAS in
her husband s1id home
= President Judge hsnDs Of the Orphans
sOurt. is bON engaged in-nIitlns his
lpini0n in the case
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