The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-11-07
A NATIONAL PooRnousE.

Had Winfield Scott Stratton. the bo-
rama millionaire of Cripple Greek, fol-
lowed Andrew Carnegie's example and
distributed his vast wealth during his
lsfe. the present bitter fight that has de-
veIoped over his estate would not be at
tracing the attention OF the entire couu-
try. As IL IS. the dead millionaire's viii
has been attacked from all SIDES. Con-
spiracies have been hinted at and COM
promises are rumoTed. but probably II
VIII be years before the estate cnerges
clear Of the courts, and then il may CON
sist OF only remnant OF the Stratton
fOrtune-once the greatest in the history
OF ColOrado's mining investors. says the
New York Herald.
The viii. about which so many legal
complications have arisen. left the bulk OF
the miilionaire's estate to charity the
specific object being the Stratton home for
aged persons too infIrm 70 work and IN
willing 20 become county charges. The
home. according 10 the terms Of the viii
is 10 be located. in Colorado Springs.
where Mr.. Stratton had made his resi-
dence for many years. This fashiona Bile
resort is the Newport OF the West. and
shiver Of horror followed the reading
OF the Will.
What Make Colorado Springs a resort
fo- all the poor and infirrn OF the na-
tiOnr' cried the men OF wealth who have
made the pretty city at the base OF
Pixies Peak. The idea was intolerable.
and il is rumored that much OF the oppo-
s'tion TO the viii has arisen from this
feeling on the part Of Colorado Springs
citizens.
Several manufactures have recently
teeR refused permission to erect buildings
within the limits OF Colorado Springs. on
tho plea that the smoke would be disa-
gTeeabie and might cause discomfort TO
the idle wealthy who would make up a
large portion OF the population. Conse-
qEently home for poor persons would
be even less acceptable in the eyes of the
aristocracy of this exclusive little re-
sort.
According TO the terms Of the Stratton
Will, the Cripple Creek miilionaire's son.
/. Harry Stratton. and al other relatives
must content themselves with S50.oo each.
Az Mr.. Stratton had few persons con-
nected by blood ties. the personal benefac-
tons make but a small inroad on the
bulk of the estate, which is estimated al
nearly s15O00O00.
The son has been the leader in the
work of cOntesting the viii. though there
have been hints Of money men who have
backed him, with the understanding
that, win OF lose. he is to receive sum
al least equal 10 the amount specified in
his fathers Will, and that he viii not be
compelled 70 pay any Of the expenses Of
litigation.
The young man. though having no
property OF his own. has been able TO en-
ploy the most expensive legal talent i'm
Colorado-lswyers who have never taken
a case on the supposition that they are
10 receive a part OF The winnings or that
they are 10 pay their own expenses il they
lose. This lends color TO the theory that
yc ing Stratton has had outside assistance
~ his attempt to prove that his father
was not mentally capable OF drawing M
a sound document when he framed the
viii creating the Stratton home for the
poor.
sensational development in the case
which directly affects the VIII. is the suit
OF the Venture Corporation. Of London
for 100000. the stockholders claiming
that the Independence mine. Mr. STRAIT
tons famous property. was sailed" be-
fore it was unloaded on the London buy
ers. The suit is brought to recover what
the stockholders consider themselves 10
have been cheated out OF in the purchase
OF the property.