The Washington herald., 1907-04-20

became known to-day IN regard to James
Henry Smith, known as silent" Smith,
who died suddenly or March &c. In Kioto.
Japan. worth s75.000.000
1t turns 5ut that Mr. Smith. who al
ways maintained secrecy as to his early
life. had mother. now eighty years old.
living in humble circumstances in Evans
ton, III.
He also had brother two nephews.
sister and a niece living In the West. and
/ all declare their intention 70 contest for a
share Of his estate. They say they have
information that they are ignored or but
slightly provided for in Dir. Smiths will
Source of Fortune Surprise.
Most surprising Of ali. however. is the
discovery that Mr.. Smith inherited his
vast fortune not from an uncle, but from
a second cousin Of his father.
Herman 5. lie Roy, of 10 Wall street,
who had charge Of Mr.. Smiths estate,
and who knows more about the private
affairs Of the dead millionaire than any
man living. declared to-day ihat no con-
/ test Of the viii could be successful He
said:
II the relatives of Mr.. Smith think
they can break his will, they have an
other guess coming. If they have money
that they wish 10 get rid OF. they stand
a good chance Of succeeding If they en-
bark on litigation.
Whether Mr.. Smith provided for his
relatives or not ] am not IN a position
to state. The will viii not be opened I'M
III Mrs. Smith arrives here.
.,rr orfrfgr, RFr Gsrsfs14fa mill fe nm
breakable.
"First-dr Smith was a shrewd law
yer.
'second-8ir. Smith had the required
number Of witnesses at the time he drew
up his viii.
"Third-He had a pefect right to
leave all his estate TO his wife.
NO one can break the will on the
ground Of insanity. No one can say that
Mr. Smith was crazy. He was married
IN September, 1906. and a few days after
the marriage he made cut his viii in
London. lie provided for every possible
legal contingency.
Relatives Visit New York.
CAS- 10 Mr.. Smiths relatives If the
fact was not known that he had several
relatives. that was not Mr. Smiths fault.
He had ii right to manage his family af-
fairs in his own way. As far as I know.
he was on friendly terms with his rela-
tlves. frequently sent them money, bat
seldom encouraged them 10 visit him.
None Of mis- relatives is in hard circum-
stances.
Mr.. Smith occupied the Whitney resi-
dence on Fifth avenue, but he did not
receive his relatives there. II they came.
he received them NJ his Tuxedo Park
home
what reason he nad for this ! do not
know. He never made an effort to con-
ceal the fact that he had numerous rela-
, tives. He was not responsible for the
general impression. II people thought he
had no relatives. he did not feel called
upon 10 correct that impression
Mr.. Smith certainly provided for his
widow. Whether his relatives were re-
, membered. no one knows. The talk Of
contesting the viii is ridiculous. II there
IS a contest, You may be sure that Mrs
Smith viii get the first shot at IT,"
One sister. Of whom the world has
. known, Lady Mary Cooper, of London,
left to-day for New York on the Deutsch-
land with her husband, Sir George
Cooper. They will meet the body Of Mr.
Smith when IT reaches Chicago
James Henry Smith was as mysterious
in death as he was in life. It came as q
complete surprise 10 his most intimate
friends that not only his mother. but p
brother, several sisters and numerous
close relatives. including nephews and
nieces. live in the West. It was the Gus
tom OF Mr.. Smith TO make visits. the OBJ
ject of which were known only 10 his
attorney. Now, with the coming before
the public Of mother. brothers. sisters
and blood relatives, the mystery Of shese
secret visits Is, in measure. explained
silent" Smith apparently kept close
track Of Fis relatives without their knowl-
edge. There are many mysterious things
about silent" Smith which. il is be.
Heved. the filing Of his viii and prospec-
tive litigation over it viii bring to light
Several OF the Western relatives have
= retained counsel TO fight for their rights
How the deceased has divided his prop
/ ertv IS not known. The viii has not yet
been read. nor viii il be tin after the
funeral. on May 4, in this city. The
, body is en- route to New York now. II
, viii arrive on April IS. at San Francisco
and on May 3 here.
Mother Eighty Years Old.
His mother. Mrs. Beatrice Smith. now
eighty years old. is living at 1920 Bridge
avenue, Evanston, ILL.,, and. although she
feels the inhrmities of age. she is stiu q
weil-preserved woman. strong and sturdy
though bowed with grief because of tbs
unexpected death of her son.
It had been the intention of Mr.. Smith
TO present his bride to his mother for the
first time on their return from the East
Sir George and Lady Cooper had planned
10 be in Evanston at the same time. and
there was to have been q family reunioi
! and a quiet celebration.
In Evanston also live two other sisters
: of MIR. Smith. They are Mrs. Victor Ross
) bach, wife Of a business man whose
headquarters are in Chicago. and Mrs
]. n Mills. wife Of a well-known Presby-
terrain minister. George A Smith. the
brother, formerly lived in Chicago. but
has been in Philadelphia for several years
The nephews are William S. Mason
vice president OF the City National Bank
I'm Evanston, and George g. Mason. OF
Aberdeen, S. Oak, superintendent of the
Aberdeen division of the Chicago, Mil
waul<ee and st. Paul Railroad. Mrs. Fred
erick p Vose, wife Of an attorney il
Evanston, is a niece.
If a contest of MIR. Smiths viii 4;
brought about. it viii be because Of the
discomfort of some of these relatives.
Though he had been regarded as some
thing of q recluse without a family. Mr.
Smith. 1t will be seen, had many relatives
and widely separated as they were from
him. he kept himself informed of then
whereabouts and condition. and until tbs
i day of his death they were 'partakers oil
/ his generosity.