St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1907-03-20
General Streeter'S Statement.

OSuGl dl OIL CCtCI , OldtCIlCHls
Aside from the general interest in the
affairs of Mrs. Eddy, St. Johnsbury peo-
pie will be interested in the statement of
her counsel who is native of this town.
Early Saturday morning March p |
sent to Mrs Eddy a copy of the bill in
equity as published, but not yet served
upon any of the defendants so far as
am informed. | have since had a long
personal conference with her, at which
this proceeding and matters connected
Herewith were fully discussed.
In common with her many friends she
believes that the initiative in these pro-
ceedings was not taken by her son or
other relatives, but by Others who in a
markedly unusual manner and by unique
methods are undertaking under the
guise of court proceedings to continue
the persecution begun some time ago. /
From my conference with her at this .
time, and on other recent occasions,
am able to speak definitely and posi-
lively. Her clearness of mind and reso-
luton of purpose have been in no respect
impaired by her advanced years. Her
capacity to think clearly, and to deal
accurately and justly with important
business affairs, has never been more
perfectly demonstrated than in her con-
ferences and acts within the last two
weeks, and in numerous business letters
in her own handwriting, which | have ;
received from her during that time.
The amount of Mrs. Eddy's property
has been grossly multiplied by rumor
and untounded report. She is not pos
sessed of large wealth, as the term is c
used. Mrs, Eddy receives no income
from the Church, nor from the publ
cation society connected with the I
Church. Her sole income for many years f
mas been from the copyrights on her own \
books, and the amount from this source v
las been grossly overestimated {
Mrs. Eddy's business affairs have been G
managed by herself, with the aid of Mr.. Il
Frye, her devoted and loyal servant and II
lnder the oversight and personal audit il
,t another gentlemen whose name has il
lot ben mentioned, but who stands for h
III that is honorable and of good repute &C
n financial circles i'll Concord. Accurate O.
ccounts of all her property and invest
nents, as well as of her annual income a
nd expenditures, have been carefully F
ept and frequently audited. The last Il
udit was in October 1906. None of f.
he defendants named, except Mr. Frye, a
ave any connection with the manage ii
1ent of her property or investments or /
ave any knowledge whatever in refer W
nee thereto, nor have any of said defend II
nts ever received any property of Mrs. m
Idly which they hold in trust or other o
wise, except in one instance for the
eneht of her relatives in
Inquiry has been made whether the q
arious defendants would accept service Y
i the proceeding. cannot say as to W
hat. With my partner, Mr. Allen L
Hollis, am counsel for Mrs Eddy alone.
While the defendants would undoubtedly
K guided largely by Mrs. Eddy's wishes al
With respect to these proceedings, cam C
OF, as her legal representative, under Sc
axe to speak for them &C
With reference to the report that
ythin few days Mrs Eddy has placed -
J the hands of trustees large amount IN
money, to be held and used for the rs
enefit of her son and her grandchildren, Ik
have nothing to say. Whatever Mrs. III
ddy may or may not have done toward II
roviding for her family is a matter II
'hich ought not, for the present at least, i
} be discussed by me- Il
1t is obvious that | ought not to talk i
bout the legal aspects of the case, nor 4
hat will be the course of the proceed L
gs, so far as Mrs. Eddy is concerned. rs
he proceedings are unusual. So far as Is
lis case can be considered a legitimate L
'oceeding in equity, it seems to be an
tempt to have the personal rights and
ivileges of a citizen adjudicated in a Il
ay unprecedented in New Hampshire, is
far as am aware, and if it shall II
pear that these proceedings have been I8
Stituted for purposes other than the H.
certainment and protection of the II
aintitts' legal rights, the method of Y
aling with such case will be carefully
nsldered by Mrs. Eddy's counsel before
aking any public statement.