The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-11-17
MILLIONS IN
A LEGAL WAR
Gen. GridIey's Estate Involved
in Many Lawsuits.
IN THE COURTS TWENTY YEARS
Widow Died Less Than Two Years Ago and
There Has Been More Litigation
Since Thsu.
IN The COURTS TWENTY YEARS

over twenty years have elapsed since the
death or General Asahel Gridley. one of
the most famous characters OF Blooming
ton and Central Illinois, the struggle for
his millions, which began soon after his
demise. is still in progress.
The latest litigation is the suit for di-
vorce Instituted by the wife OF Edward
b. Gridley one OF the four children OF
General Gridley This suit has been the
centre OF interest in Bloomington for two
weeks and has just been ended by de-
cision from Judge Patton, OF Pontiac,
who heard the case in the Mclean Coun-
ty circuit court which specifies the ex-
tent OF the estate which must be turned
over TO the wife of L. b. Gridley.
Mrs. Gridley was formerly Miss Ora
Walton. daughter of Mr.. and Mru. John
Walton, old and highly esteemed resi-
dents OF this city
The match was thought to be a brilliant
one and nuptials were celebrated with
eclat that unlimited wealth only could
furnish
MARRIED 10 YEARS
The couple have been married ten
years and have been childless. Although
dences In the city. happiness evidently
was stranger. Only of late years, how
ever were reports circulated concerning
the marital relations OF Mr. and Mrs
Gridley.
For time these rumors were ignored
but finally they became so persistent that
the public was forced to believe that the
two were not congenial. The filing OF
suit Tor divorce during the past summer
verified all the stories which had been
circulated
Less than a year ago the local courts
were occupied with the suit of General
Gridleys daughter, Mrs. Juliet Schoen-
rock. against the estate There were four
children. Mrs. Schoenrock, Mary Gridley
Bell and two sons. Albert and Edward.
Albert is dead. leaving a son, Logan. of
Batavia ILL.,, who inherited his fathers
share of the estate.
Mrs. Schoenrock has been a resident Of
Paris for many years and Is said to be
one of the most beautiful women OF the
French capital. The other heirs united I'm
opposing her right TO share in the estate
on the ground OF this non-residence, IL
being claimed that she became an alien
and forfeited her rights by her absence
abroad.
The alien law did exist at one time, but
has been repealed, and after long litiga-
ton she won her suit, and recently she
was allowed her one-fourth of the prop
courts she returned to Europe and will
probably continue to make her home
there.
THE BELL LITIGATION.
Even greater attention was attracted to
the litigation in which the other daugh-
ter. Mary Gridley Bell. was involved with
her husband, the late Frederick A. Bell.
of Buffalo, n, Y. and who died suddenly
m mated at s25.coo.o6o. Mr. an and Mrs. Bell
were married about twenty-five years
ago. Soon after the death Of Gen. Grid
ley Mrs Bell returned to he. u,. home m in IN
city. and found her personal belongings
rem0ed from the mansion and stored In
Her husband refused to soc her. and
then began the desertion which was the
basis OF her suit. Ten years later the
suit for divorce was filed and the Roch-
alimony Bell appealed the case success
sively through the various courts until
the United States supreme court was
himself beaten. The highest court al
lowed the full sum and also a snare in
the estate.
highest court Mrs. Bell was never paid
single cent of alimony during all the
years that the suits were pending. The
settlement of the Bell estate has been In
tracted much attention In the East. Mrs.
Bell has always attracted much attention
by her beauty and style. and was a social
leader for many years In this city.
WILL NEVER ATTACKED.
The widow of Gen. Gridley died In Chi
cago Nov. 22. 1900, and since then there
has been more or less wrangling over the
division of the estate. IL H presumed
that Logan Gridley. OF Batavia, will soon
be allowed his full share. and when the
apportionment will invite further litiga-
tion is not known.
There has never been an attack upon
the will OF Gen Gridley This instru-
ment was drawn Sept. IL, 1880, but six
months prior TO his death. II was most
voluminous and has numerous codicils,
reyisions, etc II provides that II any
OF the children seek TO contest OF ever
throw the will they forfeit all share In
GEN. Asahel Gridley was born. In Cazen-
oyia, ". Y. April 2i. 1910, and came TO
bloomington in 1890. soon after the town
was laid out. He embarked in the mer-
camille business and served fourteen fam-
flies ALI then contained In the village.
In 1850 he was elected TO the state SEN
ate serving four years. 1t was during
this period that grants Of land were made
by congress TO aid in the construction or