Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-04
run" on him. Mr.. Ridout and Thomas e.
an trustaes were the grantors

Waggaman. az trustees, were the grantors
in the deed conveying the Woodley tract
to the Catholic University of America to
secure that institution In connection with
the indebtedness OF Mr.. Waggaman to II
In the sum of more than $S0O,UOO. Mr..
Rfdout Is a half brother of Mr.. irving
Williamson. who Is Mr.. Waggaman's at
torney. In order to accept a bequest I'm
der will, it is explained. he changed his
name from Williamson to Ridout many
years ago. His connection as trustee
and as brother of Mr.. Waggaman's at
torney. it has been suggested. may have
something to do with the Waggaman fall
ure prcciritating Mr.. Ridout's affairs.
An order directing Mr.. Ridout to pay
fore the 5th of December. was signed in
the matter of the estate of o. D. Barrett,
deceased. by Judge Gould last November.
Several months ago. Mrs Sallie c. Barrett,
widow of Judge Barrett and executrix of
mis- estate. complained to the Probate Court
here that she was unable to receive any
communications from Mr.. Ridout, although
she had repeatedly written and cabled to
him from her present residence. 100 Rue
de la Pompe, Paris. France. Mr. Ridous
had been retained as her attorney to rep
resent her In the settlement of her hus-
bands estate.
She finally retained Mr. George c. Hazel
ton her attorney, and the latter has
represented her in the proceedings since
At the instance of Attorney Hazelton, Mr.
Ridout was ordered to show cause why
rule should not be issued against him
directing him to render an accounting.
Directed to Account.
No cause having been shown by the time
specified, Justice Gould signed an order the
9th instant directing that the account be
filed on or before the 18th instant. The lat
ter date Mr.. Ridout filed an account. 1t
was as follows:
May 13, 1903, cash collected from the es-
tate, $4.101; February %, 1904, paid execu-
trix, $500; April %. 1904. paid executrix.
81, 400; legal services to estate, $40O; bal
The following day. November 16 Attorney
Hazelton filed exceptions to the account. al
leging that 1t was imperfect and that the
charge for legal services was "exorbitant
and unjust"
Justice Gould. upon consideration Of the
account and of the exceptions. fixed the
fee Of Mr.. Ridout in the case at 500 in full.
and ordered the payment Of the balance
due, 81 lO1. 66, into the registry Of the court,
as explained.
In addition to the suit filed August u
against Mr.. BarrosS and Mr.. Ridout, the
Citizens National Bank the 18th of October
filed suit at law against Mr.. Ridout to re-
cover 2.713.74 alleged to be due on a note,
The 18th of November Judgment by default
was rendered in favor of the bank.
A deed was filed the 14th of October by
which John Ridout and wife conveyed to
Clarence B. Rheem and Jesse H. Wilson the
Ridout residence, lot 80, square $50. being
premises 174S N street. to secure the pay
ment Of $4SOO to Irwin H. Linton, six
months from October 8, 1904
Alleged Business Transactions.
Several local lawyers have been employed
recently to investigate the validity and
worth of. and, If possible to collect ac-
cumulated interest on certain notes held
by former clients of John Riedout.
These alleged facts have been brought
70 hght, 1t Is said. through the failure, or
In some Instances, hesitancy of Mr. Ridout
to turn over the interest mentioned above
within the past six months or more
II is said that there will be involved in
the failure, number of the members Of
the Metropolitan Presbyterian Church a
number being women, for whom Mr.. Rid
out held money for investment. These
notes represent, it Is declared, close to
100000 ~
Not many months ago, It Is declared. the
board of trustees Of the Metropolitan
Church. 4th and B street southeast. being
aroused by rumors, took ont of Mr..
Hioout hands certain funds of the church
that had been intrusted to him for some
time SO that in case Mr.. Ridout shouid he
unable to settle his accounts satisfactorily
the church as an organization would lose
nothing. Some members of the congrega-
ton, it is asserted, will, under the circum-
stances that are supposed to exist have
the world. an
!" ora tnat interest was not being paid by
Mr. Ridout with his customary prompt
ness has. it is said, been passed from
mouth to mouth in the congregation of the
church for many months.
Mr.. 3. d. Luckett, local attorney and
an elder in the Metropolitan PRESBYTERIAN
Church. where Mr. Ridout is so well
Known. said recently to Star reporter that
he had been retained by members OF the
congregation of the church in this matter,
and that the notes which these members
had obtained from Mr. Ridout had haen
given into his care.
de added that he did not wish to sneak
puoncly at this time about the result of
the investigation, which he had been con-
Quoting since April last
Thls investigation. Mr.. Luckett renark
had been a very thorough one. bringing to
:lgnt almost every fact in regard to the
transactions of Mr.. Ridout
1t was learned this afternoon that the
claims against Mr.. Ridout which are in the
hands OF Attorney Luckett in the Pacific
building, are in no wise altered and the at
t1tude of Mr.. Ridout in regard to them ia
regarded as very unsa tisfactory by Mr..
Luckett 1t is known that Miss Mary l.,
Lockhart of Southeast Washington. one of
Mr. Lucketts clients called personally upon
Mr.. Ridout yesterday and was able to get
a little interest money from him, amount
Ing, however to only SD
Authoritative information is at hand to
the effect that Mr.. Luckett intends to file
his claims Immediately after he has learne
bankruptcy, and it is stated that he and
other attorneys will take steps toward pre-
venting Mr.. Ridout's discharge from liabil-
tiles, as is customary in ordinary bank
ruptcy cases
One prominent local attorney who is in
timately acquainted with Mr.. Ridout's con-
dition financially said today:
He has been trying to effect a settle
ment with his principal creditors for some
time, and 1t was hoped he would succeed
but the filing Of the petition in bank
ruptcy will forestall anything of this sort -
Mr.. Ridout was in his Office a few min
utes after o'clock this afternoon when q
reporter for The Star called. He said he
had been Informed of the fling of the suit
in bankruptcy only brief time before and
was not ready to discuss the matter The
hling Of the suit he said, however was a
surprise to him, and until he had seen what
the public press might say about 1t he
thought 1t best to remain silent
What grounds are there for the suit 90
he was asked.
II would rather not speak of that now, -
was the answer.
DO you anticipate anything more serious
than is usual in such cases?" was the next
question.
mo, do not he said.
The reporter then mentioned that there
were rumors of more than usual moment
in connection with the filing of the suit,
and asked about certain claims said to be
held against Mr.. Ridout.
II hope to satisfy all the claimants" said