Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-01-12
AN INTERESTING CAsE.-Mr. John

AN lNTEhESItNd OApEs MI SOup
Robertson, florist, came to this country
from Scotland some years ago and mar
ried daughter OF the late John Slater.
of the county. They lived near Sc.
Asaph, but bad no children. Mrs.
Robertson had sister, named Rowe,
who lived in Charles county, Md. Mr..
aud Mrs. Robertson are both dead, and
lately suit has been entered by Mrs.
Minnie Roddy to secure the property
left by them. The allegations of the
bill are that many years ago Mrs. Rob-
ertsOn decided to adopt her niece, Miu-
ME Rowe, the agreement with Mr.. and
Mrs. Robertson, on behalf of Minnie,
was that she should BIO their child, and
should have the property of her
aunt, Mrs. Robertson, and that OF MIR.
Robertson. The child went to live
with them when she was Eve years old,
and was treated as their child. The
bill also alleges that Mr.. and Mrs. Rob-
ertson made wills in favor OF each other
with the understanding and agreement
that the survivor would leave every
thing to the child. Minnie. Everything
went along pleasantly until the death
of Mrs. Robertson. Minnie had then
formed an attachment to Thaddeus L.
Roddv, whom she afterwards married.
Mr.. Robertson was violently opposed
to her having any friends and upon
Minnie keeping up a correspondence
with Mr.. Roddy, Mr.. Robertson, forget
ting her love aud affection for him and
his wife during the many years she
had been with them, and also his prom
Use TO Milu and his wife, 10 a
fl of anger banisbed her from his home
a little over year after his vile died.
Az soon as Mr.. Roddy heard OF this
ne wrote at once to MIR. r binson and
told him that he did not want any harm
to come to Minnie through hiW, and
that, while he loved Minnie, yet,
rather than any harm should come to
her be would leave the State OF Virginia,
where he then lived, and never be
heard OF again, Notwithstanding this
Mr.. Robertson declined to take Minnie
back to his home aud 6nslly died with
out leaving any will. There was prop.
erty both in Virginia and Washington
city, the most valuable part b,iDg 10
Washington. A bill was filed In the
State of Virginia and 10 Washington on
behalf of Mrs. Roddy and her husband
who she married after Mr.. Robertson re-
fused to ALLOW her to return to his home
claiming all the property in Virgins
and Washington. Messrs. @. G. Carlin
Charles Bendheim and J. K. M. Norton
represent the plaintiff and Messrs
NJ. H. Beach aud w G. Clephane the
defendants. The defendants claim
that the contract set up was not such
an one as could be enforced as 1t vic
lates the statute, which provide;
that all contracts relating tC
real estate shall be in writing
The plaintiffs contend that the cas-
is not within the statute, because OF the
nature of the contract and the part per
Torrance thereof on the part of thu
plaintiff. The case was argued befor,
Judge Nicol some time ago for tn
plaintiffs BY Messrs. Norton and Carlil
aud by Mr.. Beech for the defendant
Judge Nicol sustained the plaintiffs bill
and the evidence will be take
shortly. The Washington suit cam
up on Monday last and was argued b
Judge Norton for the plaintiffs and b
Messrs. Beach and Clephaoe for the dc
PENDANT. Judge Hsgner sustained tn
plaintiffs bill and also appointed rs
ceiver for the property until the fins
determination after the taking OF th
evidence A considerable amount
property is involved In both suits,