The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-03-12
Claimants for Tea Merchants Mil
lions Living in Harmony in
Black Rock Mansion.
NOT WORRIED OVER MRS. HALL.
Blood Relatives Consider Her
Claim a Big Bluff-Career of
Woman Who Wants
Entire Estate.

REPUBLIC SPECIAL
New York, March 11.-No time has beer
lost by the claimants for the millions left
by George Francis Gilman Relatives whom
he avoided and hated In his lifetime have
gathered from far and near to fight for a
share In his fortune. They profess no re-
gret for the eccentric old man; they care
only for his money. They are glad that
his prejudices were so strong that he would
tolerate no allusion to death and that he
failed apparently to take the precaution to
make n WILL
Theophilus Gilman and Edward L. Nor
ton obtained letters Of administration on
the Gilman estate in New York to-day.
Each was required to give bond for $500.
600.
One Of the administrators is the half
brother. the other is the nephew. of the
Black Rock millionaire. They are united
in their present efforts. but they are di
vided> radically in their interests beneath
the surface. Mr.. Gilman contends that his
half-brother was a legal resident OF New
York, and that the funds collected here
must be distributed under the New Yorl,
laws. which would make him one Of the
heirs.
Mr.. Morton's position Is that his uncle
was a resident of Connecticut and that his
coadministrator and uncle by half-blood Is
not an heir at all. If the court sustains his
view the New York administrators will
eventually have to turn over the personal
property they collect to the Connecticut
administrators. as the distribution will be
made under the direction Of the Probate
Court in Bridgeport.
Administrators will be appointed in Con-
necticut next Monday. when the heirs will
have to give some estimate of the value OF
the estate to enable the court to impose a
proper amount of bond. Similar steps will
have to be taken in each State where Mr..
Gilman had any personal property. possibly
twenty in all, as his 2S5 tea shops were
scattered over large portion Of the Union.
and his interests were located in many dis
tant points.
Mrs. Halls Claim.
Charles H. Brush counsel for Edward 8.
Percival and other relatives of full blood.
said he had received no notice of any claim
made by Mrs Hall for any portion Of the
estate.
I'VE are proceeding on the assumption
that no will was made by Mr.. Gilman" he
said. ''If will were produced 1t would put
a different face on the matter. OF course. 1t
would have to be proved. and our attitude
would be changed, as We would attack its
VALIDITY
Mr.. Brush assumes that Mr. Gilman has
legal residence In Connecticut and that
the half brothers will consequently receive
no share in the estate. In his opinion that
will be the pivotal point Of all the litiga-
ton.
Theophilus Gilman had a new ally in the
city to-day in the person OF his brother.
Frazier Gilman. who arrived from Dakota
They had a long consultation and agreed TO
renew the fight they made during their
half-brother's lifetime. They then contended
that George F. Gilman had defrauded them,
and after a long and bitter controversy
they attacked him IN the street in 1871. He
afterwards alleged that they had attempted
to kill him. and he lost no opportunity to
express his hatred and contempt for them.
Frazier Gilman said:
"Why did I hurry East I'll tell You.
walked the streets of New York once
and lived on 10 cents a day for months
on account of George Francis Gilman. He
tied up five millions OF my fathers money
and nearly starved us to death He lived
like Prince, we lived like paupers He
called the five millions one million and he
would not allow us car fare. Now have
come to assert my rights to some of the
money that my father left and that he ap-
propriated.''
Under Flag OF Truce.
Mrs. Hall returned to Bridgeport tonight
All the contesting parties are living at the
Gilman mansion under flag of truce Ed
ward Percival, representing the heirs-at-law
is being treated as an honored guest ant
all are awaiting the rext move Of Mrs. Hall
who. It is said, has made the claim that SHE
would inherit the entire estate of the dead
tea merchant.
sion that she would make this claim, mol
would she give the slightest intimatfon or
what grounds she based 1t. There are three
ways in which she could be Mr. Giman's
heir-either as an adopted child, the heir by
will or his widow.
How about the reports of a secret mar
riage and that you are Mr.. Gilman's
widow?"
THAT is impossible" Mrs. Hall said. "I
would not take the chances Of being a
bigamist even for great fortune I am
the wife OF Blakely Hail. and no divorce
has even been applied for by him. Then
the story that Mr.. Gilman adopted my child
Is silly. I have never had child. SO, you
see how much these people know who have
been telling about Mr.. Gilman being fos-
terfather to my child"
Until the hearing before the Bridgeport
Probate Court on Monday next. there is not
likely to be any change at the house in
Black Rock.
Her Career in New York.
Mrs. Biakeley Hall. who plays promi-
nent part in 'the great Gilman will ro-
mance" has long been notable figure in
New York. Twenty years ago Mrs. Hall.
then Mrs. Nellie Potts. beautiful English
girl, came to this city from London as o
member Of Rosina Vokess company.
Among the matrimonial offers she re-
ceived that of Charlie Thomas, then the
partner Of the late Charley" Hoyt, most
appealed to her.
After his death she returned to the stage
and later married Blakely Hall. A hand
some house in Fifth avenue. opposite the
Windsor Hotel. was rented. and here Mrs.
Hall became noted for her hospitality.
Among the many women of beauty and tall
ent whom Mrs. Hall gathered around her
at her entertainments was Miss Bertha
Chapman.
It was through Miss Chapman that
George Francis Gilman became acquainted
with Mrs. Hall. but 1t is said that after the
latters installation in Mr.. Gilman's man.
sion at Black Rock Miss Chapman ceased
to be a welcome visitor there.
SENDS GOVERNOR AN UMBRELLA.