The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-05-23
His Right 10 tho Thousands Of
Chas. Broadway Rouss Affirmed
WAS SON OF BLIND MERCHANT
Had Promised The Coy 100000 When He
Became 10 Years Of Age. but Dled
Shortly lfter.

New York. May % 1t was established
by the verdict OF a jury before Judge
Blanchard yesterday that Charles Broad
way Rousseau a wealthy merchant who
died March. 1902. was the father Of eleven
year-old Charles Broadway Rousseau
and that the blind merchant had entered
INTO an agreement with the boys mother.
Mrs. Eva Sue Figgett Rousseau. to pay
TO the boy 100000 when he became Ten
year OF ago
Having come TO this conclusion. and al
so that the boys mother had kept her
promise az 10 the care OF tho child and
not 10 take him away from the city,
which she had threatened to do during
a quarrel with Mr.. Rouss I'm May 1901,
the jury returned verdict against the
executors OF the estate OF Mr. Rouss for
the 100000, together with interest to the
amount OF s5,176 in favor Of J. Arthur
Fischer. who. as the boys guardian, had
sued TO compel tho payment of the
money
Returning 10 her apartments on the
first floor OF No. 9i3 ST. Nicholas avenue,
Mrs. Rousseau was visited by many
friends who congratulated her upon her
victory.
'Of course I feel elated over the victory
but what ia slOo.0o0 TO my son. after all?
ceived much more than that sum. We
did not consider II necessary 10 put them
on the stand. but We had two reputable
men to whom Mr.. Rouss said he intended
taking Charles into business as a partner
when he became OF age.
Mr. Rouss was devoted TO the boy. and
insisted upon having him at the offlce
every day. Peter. Mr. Rouss eldest son.
and all the employees at the store knew
Charles was the son of Mr.. Rouss. Peter
must have been badly advised when ne
took the stand he did against the hoy.
Il have no plans for my son. He viii
continue going 10 the public school. His
father said he wanted him to grow up 10
be a sturdy man. and am going TO try
70 carry out his wishes in that respect.
He VIII continue to use the name of
Rousseau lie will not adopt the name
OF his father He knows nothing of his
birth. and I hope in the future he will
learn nothing of the circumstances OF
this suit.
my name Is not Rousseau. Some years
ago Mr. Rouss and 7 were reading
book. the author of which was Rousseau.
He said he liked the name and suggested
to me that we should adopt IL. l ac-
ceded and we lived together under that
name Since his death have continued
TO use 4. but it will shortly be changed.
TO BE MARRIED.
"r am engaged to be married to very
estimable man who loves me for myself.
He knows OF my living for the last eleven
wears. and Is devoted 10 me for what l
am regardless of everything else. / do
not know when the ceremony VIII take
place While Mr.. Rouss lived he never
would allow me 10 live above Fourteenth
street because he wanted the boy to be
near him. When he died | moved up
here TO get away from the old associa-
tions."
Mrs Rousseau and the boy were sup
norted by Mr. Rouss until the death OF
the latter and received regularly from
him $40 weekly and other presents
when Mrs. Rousseau had quarrel with
Mr. Rouss and threatened TO take the
Ittle fellow from the city. she said, MT:
Rouss protested. insisting that ne loved
the hoy and wanted 10 rear him as hfs
son and IL he was taken away IL "oulo
hraaL hts heart He then told the
mother that II she would rot go away
he woulJ give the lad SiOOco when ne
roached the age OF ten and would also
r,aLo him a partner In his business.
7, ,.as denied by the executors that MI
D.. was the father Of the boy. and IT
was shown that they palu 10 sii 49,
seau 1900 after the death OF lhe nne'
chant she releasing her claim 10 uowet
a., his estate or anyother claim "nlch
thev understood. included the claim as
ra,ards this child The mother declare'
mt this payment to her had nothHs 10
40 with the boys claim ne eAeou-
tors will appeal the case