The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-09-28
Superintendent Of Poor Wants
Her Examined Mentally.
he HOLDS HER BANKBOOKS.
The Aged Woman Claims She Worked as
Cock for Ex-Governor Spragus and the
LiIs Secretary Chase.

New York. Sept. 27.--Interested devel-
opments are expected at the hearing OF a
suit In the county court. at Nyack, N.
Y. on Oct. g. brought by George Blair.
superintendent OF outdoor poor depart-
rnent OF the department OF public char
lties of this city. for the purpose OF de-
termining the mental condition OF Ellen
Dun. SO years of age. who was supposed
to be a pauper until II was found that
she had $500 on deposit In various banks
i'm New York.
George c. mclaughlin, a lawyer. of
Nyack. who represents Miss Duff. alleges
that Mr.. Blair is wrongfully Withholding
her money and says he desires to obtain
possession OF IL that he may deliver 1t to
her.
Mr.. Blair asserts that the woman is
mentally Irresponsible and that to give
the money To her would be grave error
He has brought suit for the purpose of
having "A sheriffs jury decide II she Is
sane and competent TO care for her own
interests
4ar. MacI.aughlin declares that there
Will be sensational Developments when
the case is heard. Mr.. Blair says he well
comes an Investigation OF his acts in con-
nectlon with the handling OF the woman's
money.
DENIES SHE IS A MrsER.
Ellen Duff applied for lodging at the
Municipal Lodging House for the Poor.
In Twenty-third street, near First avenue,
on the night OF March 8, 1900.
Poor people unable TO pay for nights
lodging are accommodated at this place.
which is I'm charge of the outdoor poor de-
partment OF the department OF public
charities
The woman was clothed in rags She
declared that she did not have money
enough to pay for lodging. but this was
found to be untrue. for in pocketbook
she carried was discovered Ss0. Mrs.
Griffin, matron of the lodging house. ac-
cused her of being a miser, but this she,
denied
When the woman was prepared for the
bath which all the applicants ere COM
PEELED to take before going to bed, bank
books showing the following deposits in
the name OF Ellen Dun were found con-
cealed In her clothing:
Emigrant Industrial Savings bank, $780,
Bowery Savings bank slls5 :c;erman Savings
bank. .s50s: Union Dime Savings bank si037
Dry Dock Savings bank 800, and the Sea-
mans Bank for Savings, Sll9l. making a
total OF si697 Some OF these deposits had
been drawing compound interest since
1885.
when questioned the woman said she
is4o. Since that time she had been en-.
ployed al times ~ cook in the families Of
Governor william eprague of Rhode ISL
land: Secretary ~ State Chase. az Wash.
ington; Mr. vardsrbilt Allen. Of this city,
and others equally veil known.
SENT TO A CONVENT.
Two days after she was admitted 20 the
lodging house she gave Mr.. Blair her pow
er OF attorney. A few days later he stSn-
ed n contract with the Dominican Sisters.
who have a convent at Blauveit, near
Nyack, whereby. for a stipulated sum. 20
be paid out OF the woman's bank account
she was TO be cared for until her death
Mr.. Blair declares that she was sane At
that time. but that a few months ago
the Dominican Sisters notified him that
she was insane. and asked him to have
her removed 10 some asylum.
Mr.. Mclaughlin said yesterday that
Miss Dun Is entirely sane. but that she
did not wish 10 remain longer at the
convent. and desired TO obtain the return
OF what money was in the possession OF
Mr. Blair expressing wish also TO re-
woke the power OF attorney she had given
him.
She therefore left the convent quietly
one day, Mr.. MacLaughlin said, and came
to New York. where she now IL. her ad-
dress being kept secret by Mr.. MacLaugh-
lin, who says he fears an attempt may
be made TO place her in confinement In
some insane asylum.
Mr.. Blair said: "Macf .auerlin has been
in here TO see me severeal times. with the
object OF having me turn over to him
the money have -in-nay possession -ha--
longing TO Ellen Dun. I do not intend TO
make myself liable by handing him over
this money simply on his request. / am
acting upon the advice OF my lawyer"
---------------