Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-03-02
MRS. EODIS SON FILES SUIT
Heirs Of Head Of Christian Science Church
Is Ask for Accounting of Property.
BILL is DIRECTED AGAINST THE TRUSTEES
woman is Alleged TO BE Mentally
Incompetent 10 Transact Business
Because of Advanced Age
Vast Sums Involved.

Eddy, head of the Christian Science church,
was filed In the superior court for Mer-
rimac county today by Mrs. Eddy's son,
George w. Glover of Deadwood, s. D., and
his daughter, Miss Mary Baker Glover and
George W. Baker of Bangor, Me-, Iephew
and next friend" of Mrs. Eddy. The, bill
is directed against Alfred Farlow and other
trustees Of the Christian Science church
in Boston and Calvin A. Frye, Mrs. Eddys
secretary. Lewis o. strang. her assistant
secretary, and Herman 8. Herring, first
reader of the church in Concorn.
Besides demanding an accounting Of all
transactions regarding Mrs. Eddy's AFFAIRS,
the bill asks for restitution in case any
wrong doing appears; for an injunction
during litigation against interference with
her property and business, and for re-
ceiver.
In a statement issued tonight by former
United States Senator William E. Chandler,
special counsel in the action, it is declared
Mr. Glover is actuated by no spirit of
disrespect to his mother. but believes that
the proceeding is in her real interest.
suit Not Against Church.
Mr. Glover says the action Is not directed
against the religion of the Christian Scien-
lists. The statement further states that
Mr. Glover had long thought his mother
was growing too feeble in body and mind
to attend to important business matters,
but that for a long time he was unable to
confirm this suspicion because those about
her seemed unwilling to allow her nearest
relatives to have an interview long enough
TO reveal her actual condition.
Early in January it is said Mr.. Glover,
during visit to Concord, was enabled to
have a short talk with his mother and
after due consideration he decided on the
present action as an imperative duty too
long neglected. Specifically the bill alleges
that the nominal plaintiff, Mrs. Eddy, who
sues '"by her next friend" has for long
time been incompetent to do business OF
understand transactions conducted in her
name. The next allegation Is that the de-
PENDANTS have possessed themselves of her
/ personal property and have carried on her
business.
| 1t is also alleged that the defendants,
knowing of her infrmity, have become
trustees for nearly all her property which
has come into her possession and are bound
to give account thereof and Of all the
| transactions in her name.
It is declared that there is reason to fear
the defendants wrongfully converted, some
OF her property to their own use and that
! there are transactions Of whicfllan account
should be given.
John W. Kelly Of Portsmouth and the
nrm Of Martin & Howe of Concord appear
as counsel in the case for the plaintiff,
with former Senator Chandler acting as
| special counsel
Mr.. Chandler's statement follows;
Vast Property Involved.
| Mr.. George w Glover and his daughter,
| Miss Mary Baker Glover have investigated
! the condition of Mr.. Glovers mother, Mrs.
Mary Baker Glover Eddy at Concord, n
II. Mr.. Glover had for some time been IN
clinad to believe that Mrs. Eddy, In her
old age, IS years now, has been growing
too Ieeple IN pouy anu 'Inu 20 b,,t the
various persons living with Mrs. Eddy had
! so persisitently prevented any other per-
but momentary Interviews with her that
| Mr.. Glover had not been able to test his
! fears by any prolonged visit. he and his
! daughter, however on January were per-
! mitted to see Mrs. Eddy for three-quarters
OF an hour and the result of that interview
/ was to confirm their utmost apprehensions
and to convince them that she was not
| capable of transacting business.
| She was weak bodily and her mind was
4 clouded and enfeebled and possessed by
strange and erratic notions. It was clear
to them that II was not insanity. but that
her mental faculties were so impaired that
she could not attend TO financial affairs nor
give intelligent direction TO any business
OF Importance.
| various lnclQenIS Connected WIN their
stay and facts which they learned from
several sources tended TO strengthen these
conclusions as to Mrs. Eddy's incapacity
further learned that Mrs. Eddyis secular
business seems to be larger than ever.
She is still president Of the Metaphysical
OF 400 practicing hsalers. though she docs
not personally give treatment.
| The copyrights OF Science and HEALTH -
a book OF enormous sale. stiil stands in
her name, while all the other copyrights
OF Christian Science books and weekly.
her name. She retains her place as head
OF the mother church at Boston with 4o.-
900 members.
II seemed to Mr.. Glover certain that the
income from these sources must be vast
all gathered In by reason Of the use OF
Mrs. Eddy'e name, raised largely by active
movements nominally headed by her and
to much OF which she must be personally
II was clear that as Mrs. Eddy could not
personally do anything about this enormous
business carried on by her authority, and
much OF II in her name, necessarily 1t was
all conducted by the various persons sur
rounding her at Concord and In charge OF
anairs at Boston, who were not under any
real responsibility to her for what they
Therefore Mr.. Glover, after consulting
with counsel. concluded II was his duty to
nave his mother take action for the pro-
lection of her property. He did not make
hasy deeision, but gave long and full
was advised that equity courts have au-
thortty TO take charge OF the property OF
enfeebled persons like Mrs. Eddy, and 10
see that those having II In their control
do not mismanage or convert any OF II to
their own use, and that an equity suit
might be brought against them in Mrs.
Eddy's name, by her son. her relatives OF
any degree. or any good citizen willing to
act as her next friend in this suit
Mr.. Glovers action Is not conceived In
any spirit OF disrespect or unkindness to his
mother. Mrs. Eddy, but is intended and
believed 10 be proceeding for her real in
terest; nor is II directed against Christian
Science. II merely means only what II pro
fesses 10 mean. and Mr. Glover considers
his action the performance Of an inpera-
tive duty too long neglected.
Mr.. Glover is a son OF Mrs. Eddy by her
first husband. He is not now. in New
Hampshire and 1t is understood that he
and his daughter have returned TO their
home IN Deadwood.
@. w. Baker is son OF Mrs Eddy's
brother. the late George Sullivan Baker
and is her only surviving nephew
Mrs. Eddy's Counsel Talks.
Frank s. streeter, personal counsel for
Mrs. Eddy. gave out the following state.
ment tonight;
Ny attention was first called to this pro
ceeding this afternoon. i have not since
| conferred with Mrs. Eddy. Within tWe
| xvaaka she has Conaulfed me aavaru1 IT,.