The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-01-20

BlAIR'S POLICIES
Insurance of the Dead Man
Reaches Over a Million.
WIFE GETS s5oo,ooo OF IT
Companies May Contest but
Will Probably Pay.

st. Louis. JAN 19.-The funeral of James
L. Blair. former general counsel of the
worlds fair, who died last Friday in Eus-
us. Fla, was held today from the resi-
dence Of his brother-in-law and sister.
Mr. and Mrs. B. B. Graham Mrs. Blair
and her eldest son, Percy, were present
None but relatives and close friends of
the family attended the services. Mr..
Blafr's remains were put at rest beside
those Of his father, General Frank p
Blair, in Bellefontaine cemetery. The pail
bearers Were old friends Of Mr.. Blair,
six of whom were associated with him
in the ST.. Louis Bar association.
Before the casket was brought from
The house there was a threat that the
funeral would not move unless a car
rage belonging to a prescribed livery firm
and driven by a man not approved by
the union drivers of the other carria ges,
was taken out of livery A negro driver
of one of the other carriages made the
threat directly to the gentlemen who had
engaged the carriage Assurance was
given that the carriage would not be
kept in line and the matter ended.
The death of James L. Blair will mean
the payment to The beneficiaries Of his
The largest contracts were negotiated
by the New York Life Insurance COM
pany. which sold to him s209,d90 worth of
life insurance-the limit which any ageSt
OF the New York Life Insurance company
Is allowed TO write for one individual.
The balance of the business accredited
to the New York Life was negotiated
Through foreign companies, but the New
York Life is responsible for payment in
the event of possible failure of COM
panies in which the risk is reinsured.
The Mutual Life, which places its limit
at $500, 900 reinsured Mr.. Blair for s150,o00
additional, under the same conditions as
those prescribed by the New York Life
company.
1t is stated authoritatvely that of the
81 13l.0O0 worth of insurance carried by
Blair, at least $500. 600 is assigned to cred
itors Of these the largest are Dick Bros.
e Co.. bankers, of Philadelphia. to whom
Blair, 1t was said, was indebted TO the
amount of more than 100000. 1t is said
also that some of the money IS assigned
to B. B. Graham, Blair's brother-in-law,
and James Campbell, the broker, to whom
Blair partly relieved his obligation by as
signing TO him the country home AIR
Dire for a consideration of $4,000.
Whether Mr. Campbell has stll further
claims against the estate could not be
sscertained yesterday, as the broker is III
New York.
According to the best information. Mrs.
Blair will receive about 100000 of the m
surance money. If the assignments repre-
sent no more than s5Oo,O00 there are still
many obligations which the executors of
the estate will have to settle. Some of
these items relate to Blair's own business
transactions.
1t is conservatively estimated, however,
that Mrs Blair viii receive 100000 as her
share of the life insurance, provided all
OF the policies are paid.
The Mutual Life Insurance company
brought two suits in the federal court
soon after Blair attempted to commit sui
eide in which it sought to annui two
Blair policies. one for s50,0O0 the other
Tor 100000. The proceedings to annul
the $4,000 policy were dropped, while no
action has been taken in the remaining
suit
II was reported that the death of Blair
would mean the dismissal of the suit
which has been pending, and that the
Mutual Life Woulc enutaNOl 10 prevent
payment of the money by a suit 20 en-
5oin the beneficiaries from collecting IT.
The ground for these suits Will be- IL
Is claimed. the suicide clause in the con-
tracts which the Mutual Life makes to
its policy holders.
1t is the opinion of lawyers. however
that all the life insurance carried by Blair
can be collected. and aside from the one
company there has been no question as
TO disputing payment of the insurance.
Before the death of MIR Blair. Mrs
Blair had decided 10 reside in New York,
where her aunt lives. 1t is probable that
she will return 10 that city after the
funeral
1t is generally believed that Mrs. Blair
will not care TO make her residence in 81.
Louis.