The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-03-19
WILL FORM
CORPORATION.
Gilman Heirs Ready 10 Settle
Differences Out Of Court.
WILL CONDUCT 230 STORES
Fear That Estate Would Be Dlsslpaisd
Is Reported TO Have Led ioa
Compromise.
WILL CONDUCT 2so STORES

New York. March 1s.--Rather than dis
sipate an legal warfare the wealth ielt
bv George Francis Gilman. the eccentric
septuagenarian millionaire tea merchant
who died intestate, in his luxurious home
at Black Rock. near Bridgeport conn
one year ago, his heirs at law have prac-
tically agreed 10 an amicable settlement
OF their claims. ,,.,
Although none Of the numerous liti-
giants or their lawyers would discuss the
subject. IL vas learned last night
from thoroughly reliable source that
the basis OF settlement Is the formation
of a corporation TO conduct the zo .es
stores which Gilman owned In the united
States and Canada and to allot 10 eaoh
heir stock In proportion to the amount
OF his or her claim.
These shares form the bulk OF the es-
tate. ana the residue, IL is said, VIII pc
divided on the same plan, II there be no
interference by other claimants.
Two states. New York and Connecticut
were involved in the battle over the Gil
man fortune which at first was estimated
at x55 OOO, ,O0O but which. II Is now asserted,
will not exceed 81. 100000. There was dis
pute as to whether the old mans legal
residence was I'm this city or In Bridge
mort ard the Connecticut court before
which proceedings were brought decided
over so much of the milllonaire's prop
erty as was I'm that commonwealth.
Following this decision the Bridgeport
Trust company was appointed administra-
tor for Connecticut and within recent
months much OF the Gilman property In
that state, including many blooded horses
and costly equipages, has been disposed or
there.
George +. Gilman was a. lover OF the
beautiful and a hater OF everything that
suggested death or the flight OF time. Ills
home at Black Rock was embellished with
choice paintings and exquisite statuary.
But more than all these inanimate objects
ala the aged millionaire enjoy the sight
OF beautiful women, parties OF whom were
his guests from time TO time In his man
sion near Bridgeport
Among them was Mrs. Helen Hall who,
after Gilmans death, declared that, al
though she was known as his housekeep-
er, she had really been adopted by him
MS his daughter. Avowing herself as his
heir, she laid claim to his entire estate,
and instituted various suits In support or
her declarations. Mrs Halls action had
the effect OF still further complicating the
legal tangle In which the dead man $ al
fairs were involved. by reason OF the non
discovery OF any will which he may have
made.
Gilman left two sets OF heirs-full BROTH
ers and sisters and half brothers and SIS
ters--with their descendants. Under the
law OF Connecticut the half blood heirs
have no standing i'm court as against the
others In this state the half blood heirs
share equally with those OF full blood,
where "A decedent's property is not dis
posed o. by will But all these heirs sank
their own differences TO make common
cause against Mrs. Hall and expressed
themselves as determined 10 fight 10 the
last ditch before they would recognize
her as one OF themselves.
Now, II appears. according TO one who
IA vitally interested In settlement OF
the fight for the old mans wealth. ~hey
are not averse to giving Mrs. Hall sub
stantial sum-either in cash or In stock
OF the proposed corporation-to obtain a
release OF all OF her claims. in order tc
avoid the annoyance and expense of liti-
CATION. Whether Mrs. Hall Is agreeable
70 the compromise was not divulged.
The. $50 tea stores are now under the
control OF George ii. Hartford. who has
managed then for years Soon after Mr.
Giiman's death Mr.. Hartford announced
that partnership In the business hac
long existed between himself and Mr.. Gil
man. and up TO the present time he ha:
defeated through the courts every attemp
To disiodge him from the control OF th'
stores. SO well intrenched I'm his position
1T Is declared. that the Gilman heirs have
with substantial unanimity. agreed that /
the negotiations for the organization q
stock company be carried to success
ful issue Mr.. Hartford shall receive
large allotment OF the shares and remain
at the head Of the concern.