New-York tribune., 1901-01-29
QUEST OF SIMPSON PAPERS.
WIFE REPLEVINS FURNITURE IN MISS
DURYEA'S FLAT.

Mrs. Mabelle Simpson. wife of Dr. William L.
Simpson, who committed suicide Saturday.
took out a writ of replevin for $500 yesterday
against tn furniture in the fiat of Miss May
Duryea, of No. 124 West Thirty -sixth-st. Miss
Duryea is the young woman whose coldness
toward DR.. Simpsons offers of affection is said
to have caused his suicide Mrs. Simpson al
leges that her husband gave sIiss DurYea all the
furniture in her fiat. Notwithstanding the fact
that the furniture not his to give away,
but belonged to his wife.
There is doubt that a sensational fight will
take place between the two women for the
possession Of the furniture. Mrs Simpson has
engaged Terence McManus. of Black Olcutt.
Gruber & Bonynge No. 149 Broadway, as her
counsel. Moses H. Grossman of House. Gross
man and Vorhaus. No. 63 Park Row. will act as
counsel for Miss Duryea
AS soon the Sheriff received the writ Of
replevin yesterday he sent a to take charge
OF the furniture. Mrs. Simpson herself took pos
session of Miss Duryea's flat yesterday after
noon and spent considerable time in examining
the furniture. She wanted Miss Duryea to
allow her to go through the bureau drawers as
she expected that her hush nd had left papers
there. This Miss Duryea refused to allow
Mrs. Simpson declared that she could produce
witnesses who would be able to identify the
furniture. In addition to examining the furni-
ture, Mrs. Simpson locked of Miss Duryea's
cabinets in which silver was stored so that
Miss Duryea had to go through dinner last
evening without spoons.
RICH FURNITURE IN THE FLAT
Miss Duryea's fiat is elegantly furnished. The
walls of the reception room are covered with
brilliant red paper The doors are hung with
rich portieres and the windows with expensive
lace curtains A number of rugs, one the skin
of big black bear. on the floor The room
contains a desk
pieces of statuary and divan. The pictures
consist or landscapes and marine views. Mrs
Simpson asserts that a good many of these
things belong to her.
A Tribune reporter had interview with Miss
Duryea last night. Miss Duryea said that she
did not know what would become of her fur
niture. She added:
The reports that DR.. Simpson gave me this
furniture are entirely false. So are the absurd
stories that he lavished jewelry on me. 1 never
received single piece of jeweIry from him"
What reason has Mrs Simpson for claiming
the furniture as hers?' asked the reporter
Mrs Simpson says that she has receipts for
the various pieces replied Miss Duryea IF
she has receipts, have a bill of sale. 1 shall
rest my case on that bill The furniture was in
storage DR.. Simpson sold it to a man and I
bought II from the man. OF course il DIR. Simp-
son did not own the furniture when he sold 1t
10 the man from whom 1 bought it may have
TO give il up. But at all events wish IL to be
understood that I did not receive the furniture
from DR.. Simpson gift"
THINKS WIFE HATED SIMPSON
What do you think caused Dr. Simpson to
commit suicide?" she was asked.
Il do not know" she said. DIR Simpson was
unhappy with his wife. I believe she hated him
If she had not done so. she would not have been
down here this afternoon examining my furni-
ture a time when husbands body was
going to he shipped to Boston,"
The man who was placed in charge of the
| furniture stayed in the fiat all last night. He
walked up and down the dining room when Miss
Duryea was at dinner and after dinner paced
the hall. keeping eye on the door. Mr.. Gross
man. Miss Duryea's lawyer. called on her last
evening He said that the furniture would not
be removed from the fiat for at least five days
and perhaps not then
Mr. Grossman made an effort yesterday to get
to see the four letters left by DR. Simpson which
are now in the keeping Of Coroner yucca He
did not succeed. but he expects that counsel
for Miss Duryea, he may be allowed 10 examine
takes place. He said yesterday that DR.. Simp-
son had told Miss Duryea three four days
before he killed himself that he intended to
member her in his will This is Miss Duryea's
reason for believing that of the four letters
contains a will by which she is made benef
Ciary No other will. beyond this supposed one.
is known to exist. 1t was said yesterday that
none of the letters addressed Miss Dur
them. There not, OF course any means of
verifying this statement.
1t was expected that DR.. Simpsons brother
would call on Miss Duryea yesterday. but Miss
Duryea said last night that she had not seen
him DIR. Simpsons body will be removed TO
Boston to-day.