The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1901-03-23
EXECUTORS SPRING A COUP
TAKEPO OF GILMANM MAN.
SION At BLACK rock.

seIf-Appotnted Heirs Were Absent a
Explained-The Lutte Millionaire
Wished to Adopt Her-Said He Would
Educate Her and Leave Her "a Fortune.
| Bridgeport, March 22.--At a time
when the self-appointed guardians of
the Black Rock mansion of the late mil
lionaire, George Francis Gilman, were
absent in New York, the Bridgeport
Trust company, through the persons Of
Sheriff Fenelor and Officer Wright of
| the local police tonight took formal
possession of the property The officers
! went out to the estate shortly after
supper and at the door met Edward
Sanborn, whom Mr.. Percival had left
in charge of the portion of the prem
ises over which he had assumed con-
troll Sanborn had received instructions
to admit no strangers, it is said, but he
did admit tonight visitors without OBJ
lection.
Within the house. Messrs. Fenelor
and Wright were met by Mrs. Potts,
the mother of Mrs Hall, and she, like
the guardian of the outer door, smiling
ly turned over the house to the new ar
rivals. Fenelor and Wright have in
stalled themselves comfortably at
Black Rock and state that they propose
not to be driven from their vantage
ground.
1t Is thought that neither Mrs. Hall
nor Percival had heard In New York
city of the approaching step in the
case. AT any rate, their substitutes at
Black Rock expressed utter ignorance
Of the matter and seemed to be without
instructions. 1t is probable also that
the local counsel of Mrs, Hall and Per-
cival were not apprised Of the intended
occupancy of the representatives Of the
administering trust company for no eff
fort to forestall the action was made.
The claim of Mise Kupfer upon the
Gilman estate was cleared up tonight
by an interview with Mrs. Kupfer, her
mother, and the wife of the former bar
ber of the dead millionaire. Mrs. Kup-
fer said that Mr.. Gilman first met her
daughter on one of the daily trips that
Mr.. Kupfer made to Black Rock. MY
husband took the girl out with him for
a ride" Mrs. Kupfer said, land Mr..
Gilman was so taken with her that he
told Mr. Kupfer to bring her again.
Mr.. Kupfer did so, and the visits Of my
daughter were frequent for a number
of weeks Finally Mr.. Gilman discov-
cred that Katherine had talent for |
and placed her under a teach
err. The lessons continued during sew
eral months until one Sunday Mr.. Gil I
man drove to our house, and told us |
that he wanted to make our daughter /
his own. I will adopt her. he said, I /
will educate her and will leave her I
fortune
eve told him that Katherine was old !
enough to choose for herself and that
we would leave the decision with her
Katherine was all broken up when we
told her and cried bitterly. She said
hat she loved Mr.. Gilman dearly and
knew how much he offered her, but that
she would stay with her father and
mother Then Mr. Gilman went away,
,ut he said that it would be all right
md that he would leave Katherine
ortune lust the same" Miss Kupfer's
awyer declined to discuss his clients
lain on the estate tonight saying
hat 1t was of too delicate a nature for
Miss Kupfer became protege of Mr..
Silman a number of years ago, when
he developed talent for art and was
ent abroad to study painting after a
curse in this country. She claims that
he has in her possession deed to
What Is known as the Blenner studio
part of the establishment at Black
sock. The studio was built originally
or the artist Carl Blenner, to whom
he tea merchant was devoted for some
ears finally ending his relations with
Tr. Blenner because the latter found
he social requirements Of the Black
,ock household too exacting to be
ompatible with his artistic work. 1t
most elaborately fitted up, and very {
aluable piece of property.