The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-09-28
Superintendent Of Poor Wants
Her Examined Mentally.
Ne HOLDS nER BANKBOOKS.
The Aged Woman Claims she Worked as
Cock for Er.Gonfnor Spragus aad The
Lals Secretary Chase.

New York, Sept. 27.--Interestcd devel-
opments are expected at the hearing OF a
suit In the county court, AT Nyack. N.
T.. on Oct 3. brought by George Blair.
superintendent OF outdoor poor depart
nent OF the department of public char
tiles OF this city. for the purpose OF de-
termining the mental condition az Ellen
Duff. 60 years OF age. who was supposed
10 be a pauper until IL was found that
she had $4,000 on deposit in various banks
i'm New York.
George c. MacLaughin. lawyer, OF
Nysck, who represents Miss Dun alleges
that Mr.. Blair Is wrongfully Withholding
her money. and says he desires to obtain
possession OF IT that he may deliver IL TO
her.
Mr. Blair asserts that the woman is
mentally irresponsible. and that TO give
the money TO her would be n grave error.
He has brought suit for the purpose OF
having a sheriff's jury decide IL she Is
sane and competent 10 care for her own
interests.
..r. MacLaughlin declares that there
will be sensational developments when
the case is heard. Mr.. Blair says he well
comes an investigation OF HIS acts in con-
nection with the handling OF the womans
money.
DENIES SHE rs A MIsER.
Ellen DuT applied for lodging at the
Municipal Lodging House for the Poor.
| in Twenty-third street near First avenue.
on the night of March s. 1890.
Poor people unable TO pay for a nights
| lodging are accommodated at this place,
which is in charge OF the outdoor poor de-
| partment OF the department OF public
charities.
The woman was clothed in rags She
declared that she did not have money
enough 10 pay for lodging but this was
| found to be untrue. for In pocketbook
she carried was discovered $3.50 Mrs.
Griffin. matron of the lodging house. ac-
cused her of being a mser. but this she
denied.
| When the woman was prepared for the
bath which all the applicants are eem-
PEELED tn take before going to bed. bank
books showing the following deposits in
! the name of Ellen Duf were found con-
| cealed In her clothing:
| Emigrant Industrial Savings bank, $57s;
| Bowery Savings ba X, 81 1Iss ~ errnan Savings
1 bank s50s: Union Dime Savings bank sl037:
| Dry Dock Savings hank 800. and the Sea-
| mans Bank for Savings. Sllsl, making a
| total or $4697.' Some OF these deposits had
been drawing compound interest since
| 1885.
When questioned the woman said she
had come TO New York from IrelsDd IN
! ls40 Since that time she had been en-
| ployed at times as cook in the families OF
| Governor William Sprague OF Rhode Iel-
| land; Secretary of State Chase. az WASH
| ington; Mr. Vanderbilt Allen. OF this city,
| and others equally we'll known.
| SENT TO A CONVENT
Two DAYS after she was admitted 10 the
lodging house she gave Mr. Blair her pow
\ er OF attorney A few days later he sign
| ed contract with the Dominican Sisters.
| who have a convent at Blauveit, near
4 Nyack whereby. for stipulated sum- TO
be paid out OF the womans bank account,
| she was to be cared for until her death.
| Mr. Blair declares that she was sane at
| that time, but that a few months ago
| the Dominican Sisters notified him that
she was insane, and asked him to have
| her removed 10 some asylum.
Mr. MacLaughlin said yesterday that
| Miss Duff is entirely sane. but that she
| did not wish TO remain longer at the
| convent and desired TO obtain the return
| OF what money was in the possession OF
Mr. Blair, expressing a wish also to re-
| woke the power OF attorney she had given
| him.
| She therefore left the convent quietly
| one day, Mr.. Mclaughlin said. and came
| to New York. where she now IL. her ad-
| dress being kept secret by Mr.. MacLaugh-
lin who says he fears an attempt may
be made TO place her in confinement In
| some insane asylum.
| Mr.. Blair said: 'MacI.auehlin has been
| IN here TO sea me severeal times. with the
| object of having me turn over 10 him
| the money a have In my possession be-
| longing 10 Ellen Duff. I do not intend 20
| make myself liable by handing him over
| this money simply on his request. am
acting upon the advice OF my lawyer"