The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-03-31
FRIENDLY TO GIRLS
Rich Lady who Left Money to Seam
stresses

stresses
Battleboro, Vt, March pa compro-
mise decree settling the celebrated
Thomas thompson win case, involving
more tnan 81 $4,000, has been flea by
Judge KnOwlton of the supreme judicial
court of Massachusetts, sitting in equity
Under the terms of the compromise,
The heirs who contested the viii will re-
eeive 10000, while the remainder of the
estate. Sl,1o0000. will constitute a trust
tlnd. of the income of which two-thirds
to be used annually for charitable
purposes IN Battleboro. Vt, and one-third
For similar purposes in Rhinebeck. N. Y.
The VIII has been in litigation for many
months, the contest having ben precipi-
lated boy the death OF Mrs. Elizabeth
Thompson in 1889. Mrs. Thompson was
widely known as a phiIanthropist, partic-
.arly through her efforts to relieve the
needy seamstresses. needle women and
shop-giris of this vicinity
"a her charitable work. Mrs. Thompson
was but carrying out plans in which her
husband had ben interested for many
years previous O his death. in 1869. I'm
der the terms of the will. Mrs. Thompson
had he use of the income from all of her
husbands property during her life, and
upon her death it was to be used for
the relief of needy shop-girls, needle
women and seamstresses in Battleboro
and Rinebeck.
Following out the spirit Of the viii,
Mrs Thompson's munifcence was wide
ly extended. Besides giving thousands
Of dollars to the heads of worthy faIni-
lies and 10 charities, she founded the
town of Longmont, in Colorado, and a
colony in Saline county, Kansas. She
presented a telescope to Vassar college.
a building TO Concord school of philoso-
ply, and Francis b. Carpenters paint
ing, Signing the Emancipation Procla-
nation 10y Abraham Lincoln I'm he Pres
ence of His Cabinet" to congress. She
gave $4,000 for investigating yellow fever.
which was expended oy a commission an
pointed by congress.
For the gift of the painting. Mrs
Thompson was voted the freedom of the
floor Of the house, a privilege given to
20 other woman.
Mrs. Thompson died July Il, 1899, and
q contest of the VIII was begun by about
thirty of the heirs of Mr.. Thompson
Among those interested in the defence
was the society o. Seamstresses. Needle
Women and Shop-girls of Batheboro
which had been formed through he in
terest of Mrs. Thompson
The Aiackay heirs the nearest Of kin
were those foremost among the CON
testants. The ease has been fougbt at
every step, and the compromise Is regard
ed as fortunate outcome. Bratueboro
wil receive an income of about SOS oo
after The claims of the hcirs have been
paid
Under the compromise the scope for
which Che money may DE used is in
terpreted broadly. and the money viii
be- available NOT only Tor the women OF
The classes named, but also for various
kindred charitable purposes. such as free
slnderEsrten and hrst-class hospital. FOR
which charter has already been granted
Under provisions OF the VIII. 100000 Of
che $4,000 received hy the Aackays under
the compromise viii so for charitable
purposes ia Afassae husetts
1lr- THOMPSON. Who was an eccentric
naan. nrst made viii leaving the income
of bis estate for che benefit Of the seam
stresses and needlewomen OF Boston. II
which city be was "a resident He after
vtri became agsrieved ar what h. con-
saerel an unjust taxation or his pranertv
tls1l, moved 10 New York ana de-
st me drst viii Battiebo-a ana
lhassaeek were towns IN which Ar and
ArF- thompson had spent The summer
esae
thompson was an art collector OF
nete ANA his pictures. valued al
were Destroyed ay fire hy the