New-York tribune., 1907-09-17
MRS. CURTISS GUARDED
Caught by ConserUator as She Is
about to Sail on Her Yacht.
IBv Telegraph to The Tribune.

Bridgeport. Conn. Sept 16.-Intercepted BY two
deputy sherifs she starting out yesterday
afternoon for extended yachting cruise her
steam yacht the Osceola, Mrs Julia Watt Morris
Curtiss Of Southport is guarded by Charles
Murphy. of Bridgeport. sworn in as special deputy
sheriff. at the instance of her conservator Judge
Z S Banks Mrs. Curtiss is IN her mansion IN
Sasco HILL where she must remain until her men
tai condition has changed for the better. Murphy
will allow her no visitors and will permit her
to leave her home
Mrs Curtfss. who is one OF the heirs OF the large
Watt estate, and who is already millionaire in
her own right. was recently adjudged incompetent
on petition OF her son. Louis Morris, who support
ed his allegations by evidences Of great extrava-
gances the part OF his eccentric mother. Judge
Nobbs. of Bridgeport, who presided ar the hear
ing appointed Judge E s Banks. Of Fairfield. con-
servatOr.
Word reached the conservator yesterday that
Mrs Curtiss preparing to leave Sasco Hill for
a trip on her yacht. Judge Banks
nnoned Deputy Sheriff Heisler. of Bridgeport. and
Deputy Sheriff Banks. of Fairfield. Taking them
in his automobile he hurried to the shore. near
where the yacht anchored. just in time 70
prevent Mrs Curtiss from going aboard.
Mrs Curtiss protested to the captain, recently
engaged and not familiar with the circumstances.
that the men were trying 70 kidnap her, and thus
enlisted his support There promised to be fight
for the possession Mrs Curtiss until the sherns
peruaded the yacht officer that they were author
ICED in demanding that she return home.
Mrs Curtiss was prostrated to-day and in no
condition receive visitors. even II the special
policeman on guard would permit them to enter
The countryside near the Curtiss home was soon
afre with runors that Mrs. Curtiss had been kid
napped by a yachting party and other equally
groundIess tales. The yacht Oscola left Fairfield
late this afternoon and Is supposed 70 be on her
way to New York
Mrs Curtiss who is forty-fve years old. when
IN New York divides her time between the home
OF her aunt Miss Mary G. Pinkney. No 142 West
ssth street. and the Savoy Hotel. where she keeps
a luxurious suite of rooms. In August II was
reported that she was to marry again, having been
twice married and divorced About the same time
there that she was dissipatnS her
fortune by agances. Soon after this pro-
ceedings were Instituted 10 have her restrained
and resulted in the appointment OF a conservatcr.
Henry H. Wibert sued Mrs Curtss IN April
1902 for So 500 partly for services in calling upon
and consulting with her in reference 20 inducing
RolIin A Curtiss TO visit her. and in tracing and
ascertaining the whereabouts Of Curtss' ana cali
ing upon him at various places and using enorts
to persuade Curtiss visit her" Wibirt got
verdict for $1S.50O
Mrs Curtiss IS a daughter Of the late Thonnas
Watt whose father. Archibald Watt was the
founder of the Watt estate Mrs Curtisss brother
Thomas Watt and her sister, Miss Grace watt
will share with her the bulk Of the Watt millions