The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-04-11
Business of Two Hundred Tea Stores
Throughout the United States
Said to he Involved.
ONE SUIT IN FEDERAL COURT
AND ANOTHER FILED IN THE sU-
PREME COURT AT NEW YORK.
Relatives of the Dead Man Accused of
Being Hostile and Not Entitled
to Share in the Estate.

HARTFORD, Conn.,, April 10.-Action
was begun in the United States Circuit
Court here to-day by Mrs. Helen Potts
Hall, of New York, for the recovery of
her alleged share in the millions of the late
George f. Gilman, of Bridgeport. Mrs.
Hall declares that she is the adopted
daughter of Mr.. Gilman and brings her
action through her next friend, her brother,
Frank G.. Potts, against the Bridgeport
Trust Company administrator OF the
Gilman estate and against George W.
Smith. of Bridgeport, receiver.
The bill Of complaint, which contains
seventeen counts, declares that Mr.. Gill
man was engaged in the tea business in
copartnership with George III. Hartford
and that they had about two hundred stores
in the United States This part of the COM
plant is interesting because it had been
understood that the Bridgeport Trust Com
pany as administrator takes the position
that Mr.. Hartford was manager only and
not part owner in the tea business.
After estimating the value of the estate
the property came into Mrs. Halls posses
sion at the time of Gilman's death and
there remained until she was forcibly
years prior to Mr.. Gilman's death continues
the complaint, he having conceived strong
personal regard for Mrs. Hall. adopted her
as his daughter and she became men,
ber of his household and resided there
until his death, managing the household
and rendering to him the obedience of
natural daughter.
On or about Nov 1, 1900, it is alleged, Mr.
tl.
Mrs Hall that If she would continue to live
with him a daughter until his death she
would then be entitled to all his property.
both real and personal. as fully and to the
same extent as if she were his natural
daughter The complainant claims that she
has fulfilled her part of the agreement.
She states, further, that none of the rela-
tives lived on intimate terms with Gilman.
but on the contrary, they had for many
years been estranged from him, and some
were hostile to him, and that Gilman failed
to make will and died intestate.
The complaint asks for writ of injunc-
tion perpetually enjoining the Bridgeport
Trust Company, as administrator of the es-
tate. from interfering with the business
conducted by the Great American Tea Com
pany that the Bridgeport Trust Company
deliver to the complainant such assets
remain in its hands, in like manner as il
she were the sole heir and next of kin of
the deceased A preliminary injunction is
also asked for restraining the company
from further interference with the tea COM
panies during the pendency of this action.
writ of subpoena directed to the TRUST
company commanding it to appear in court
and answer to the complaint is likewise
asked for. The complainant further asks
that George W. Smith, the receiver, who
claims TO have an interest in the estate. be
enjoined from maintaining the The
writ Of subpoena is made returnable TO the
Circuit Court the first Monday of May.