Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-11-07
LIKE KING LEAR.
Lorenzo Pratt Finds Two Children
UnfiIiaI After Giving Property.

Chicago. Nov. Skiing Lear, the
| hoary protagOnist of Shakespeare
most tempestuous drama, has a coun-
terpart in Chicago. Lear divided his
kingdom among his daughters, who
| then turned him away from their
doors. Lorenzo Pratt decided his estate
to his children when at deaths door.
and now after recovering from his ill
ness he is said to have found them as
unfilial and avaricious as Goneril and
Regain in the tragedy.
Lear had two unfaithful children. it
is said. so has Lorenzo Pratt. Lear
also was blessed with one true daugh-
ter; Pratt is supported by one faithful
son. The only difference in the two
stories is that Lear had no court of ap-
peal to right himself while Lorenzo
Pratt already has taken steps to pro-
tect himself against Lears tragic fate
by the privilege of litigation granted
every twentieth century citizen.
He filed bill in the Superior court.
Saturday. seeking to have the cloud
| removed which the harsh action of his
two children had cast on his titles to
100000 worth of real estate.
Lorenzo Pratt came to Chicago in
1852 and entered into the real estate
business. He was successful. and not
many years ago was considered one of
the leading real estate men in the city.
Last October. when the winters of his
seventy-seven years weighed heavily
on him, he fell into what he feared
would be his last sickness.
AS the end seemed to draw near he
began to arrange his affairs. planning
to convey all of his extensive real es-
tate holdings to his children Clayton
A. Pratt, manager for Armour & Co,
at Omaha, Neb.; Mrs. Elizabeth c.
Phelps of Waukesha. Wis. whose hus-
band owns the Park Hotel of that city.
and Rodney X. Pratt of Chicago.
Rodney, who lives at Ga FOrty-sec-
Ond place. near his fathers home, and
| who is engaged in the real estate busi-
ness in the same office with him. was
intrustcd with the duty of drawing up
the deeds Clayton, the eldest son.
came to Chicago at the time ana
agreed to his fathers proposition that
the deeds should be prepared. but that
the conveyance should not take erect
until after his death. Mrs. Phelps was
not party to this agreement. when
the papers were prepared Rodney, by
misunderstanding. had them record
ed at the county building and then re-
turned them to his father. in whose
possession they remained.
But Mr.. Pratt surprised his doctors
bv recovering from his supposed fatal
illness. and two or three months after
the preparation Of the deeds was IN
perfect health and able to carry on his
business.
One month ago he wanted to sell a
small piece of his property and re-
ouested his three children to execute
the deed Rodney was willing. but
the other two. it is alleged. to the old
mans amazement, refused, pretending
to be the owners of the land. and as
serting that their father had no further
claim to it. A legal action followed,
in order that Mr. Pratt might regain
claar title to his extensive holdings.
Rodney has waived all claims. being on
the most filial terms with his father'
but the two other children are said to
be obdurate.
Mr.. Pratt lives with relatives AT iz'o
Lake avenue His place of business IS
room SG2. 81 Dearborn street. At one
time he was a business partner OF
President Roosevelts father in New
York city. Frank Schoenfeld IS his
,++orpev in the coming suit.