The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-03-31
The MILLIONS O. GILMAN
BEGINNING OF THE FORTUNE OF
THE GREAT NEW YORK
TEA MERCHANT
MRS. BLAKELY HALLS CLAIM
Ancient Quarrel of the Brothers
The Most Striking Figure Of the
Present Claimants lis
Frazier Gilman.

New York Cor. San Francisco Argonaut
To hate ones relatives deeply and at
the same time lavish kindness and mate
rial benefits on friends made among casu-
al acduaintances, is not an unfamiliar
course. but few men ever pursued it more
steadfastly than George Francis Gilman,
the millionaire merchant who died IN ms
secluded home near Bridgeport, Conn,
few days ago. He fought his protherS
and half brothers for the fortune left by
his father, and successfully though the
contest was waged thirty years IN the
courts. Only the more persistent secured
few thousand dollars, while the bulk OF
the million and a half or more which oid
Nathaniel Gilman had accumulated In
shipping and foreign trade remained IN
the hands of his oldest son. And that
million and half had been Increased
more than twenty-fold when its holder
followed his father into the forgetfuiness
Of the tomb.
George Gilman was money maker as
well as good hater and stubborn fighter.
He established, one after another, tea
stores in New York and other cities and
towns. till they reached the number of
2SJ. He was the Upton of America. When
he died his income was more than $1,000
900 a year. And he spent his money free
ly, for his own pleasure-selfShly, yet
hundreds benefited by it. At Bridgeport
the fashionable houses are along the
shore of the sound. Gilman bought 100
acres away back from the town, border
ing on a swamp and an arm of the sea.
Here he built great house, furnished ii
regally, and then began to entertain in
state those whom his fancy led him to in
vite, but they were not his neighbors or
Bridgeport people. He had grown old
but not willingly. He dreaded old age; he
- ..I~sl
suggestions His favorites were the
young the gay. the brilliant ones of the
musical and theatrical world. More than
one great actor, numbers of great sing
ers, students from Yale, parties of hand
some young women, came to Black Rock
to enjoy his hospitality. His dinners were
triumps of culinary art, and they were
enjoyed with decorum
But, in spite of his wealth, his CAV
friends, his many distractions, his
aversion for clocks that would show the
march of time, his banishment of mir
rors that would picture his whitening
hair and STOPPING form. death came to
him. And he was only a little more
than seventy-1ve. He might have lived
longer had not selishness and hate mixed
acid with his blood When the news
spread that he was lying cold and still
IN his Black Rock house, no longer able
u iSSlSI appeals OF assaults, the rtIa-
tives who had been beaten in their fight
tor Nathaniel Gilman's gold came for
ward ready to struggle for the estate OF
the son whom they believed had cheated
: them out of it. No will could be found
And this developed a serious difference
in the laws of two states. In Connectf-
cut half relatives cannot claim a share
in property not devised by will where
there are two relatives In New York
half relatives are not shut out The
courts will be called on to decide wheth-
er George Francis Gilman died a resi-
dent of Connecticut or New York Theo-
Philus Gilman. of Brooklyn, heads the
list of full brothers and their heirs; Fra
zier Gilman, of North Dakota. is spokes-
man for the half brothers and long
roll of nephews, nieces and grandneph-
ews. Then there are business associates.
favored friends, and expectant bene-
ficiaries One George w. Smith was for
years tho old mans especial favorite, but
he had been deposed and can hope for
nothing If there Is no will
In the mansion at Black Rock, hew
ever, there is one to be reckoned with
who is likely TO share i'll the thrty-od;:
millions, though no ties of blood connect
her with the Gilman farnily. This per
son IS Mrs. Helen Blabely Hall, who for
three years or mare has been his close
friend and ccnfdalt, and the head ri his