The Washington times., 1907-12-10
COTTON HEIRS
FACING LOSS
OF 100000
Collectors of Estate Sent
to New York to
Find HypotheCated
Securities.

Charles a. Douglas and Brainard w.
Parker. Washington collectors of the
estate OF the late Mrs. Ellen NJ Cotton,
who died in this city recently leaving
an estate valued at over Sl.OO0.O00. went
TO New York this morning TO search for
stocks. bonds. negotiable papers, and
other valuable instruments belonging TO
the estate which are thought to be in
that city. The papers are valued at
$4,000.
The securities sought are the part or
the estate secured from a local trust
company. II is alleged. by W. J. Bart
nett, who was appointed a special ad-
ministrator for the California courts.
The securities were taken 10 California
by Bartnett and deposited with the Cal
fornia Safe Deposit and Trust Com
pany, OF which Bartnett was vice presi-
dent, and which. II is alleged. failed in
November.
Directed to Take Securities.
The washington attorneys for the
heirs becoming apprehensive for the
safety OF the securities supposed 10 be
IN the possession OF Bartnett, secured
from Justice Barnard last night at his
home an order authorizing them TO go
TO New York city today and make a
search for the securities, which are
thought to be in a safe deposit vault
of that city. In the event that the
searchers are successful in locating the
100000 OF securities, the courts order
directs the attorneys to take such ac-
ton as may seem best 10 them TO secure
legal possession Of the papers.
In the petition presented 10 Justice
Barnard asking for the authorization or
this action the Washington collectors
review in detail the appointment Of
Bartnett as the special administrator
OF the estate by the Santa Cruz. Cal.
courts, and note particularly that ne
only gave $4,000 bond 70 cover these
10000 Of securities.
His Trust Company Failed.
It is alleged that after giving the
bond IN May. 1906. Mr.. Bartnett came
70 Washington and on demand received
from Washington trust company $3.50
600 bonds and other papers and vaIu-
ables worth another $4,000. part Of the
Cotton estate. 1t is said that Bartnett
took these with him to California; that
under an order Of the California court
he was directed 10 deposit them IN the
California Safe Deposit and Trust COM
pany- II is alleged in the petition that
November 9 this trust company SuS-
pended that two days later a demand
was made on the officials OF the com
pany 10 exhibit the Cotton securities,
but thar they refused TO give any IN
formation about them
Il is further alleged that q bank eX-
aminer OF California under oath Swore
. that these securities were not in tho
vaults OF the California Safe Deposit
and Trust Company and that all the
negotiable papers deposited there 10y
Rartnctt had been rem owed and Were
tnen in a safe deposit box Of the Al
lantic Safe Deposit and Trust Company
OF New York.
Allege Pawniug of Securities.
1t was further alleged in the petition
that the same bank examiner had sworn
that Bartnett had hypotheCated these
securities for a loan he had secured
Jointly with David f. Walker, then
president OF the CALIFORNIA; Trust Com
Bank, Of New York, and that the Sc
the Atlantic Safe Deposit and Trust
Company, Of New York.
1t Is the belief OF the WashIngt1n
attorneys now in New York that unless
speedy action is taken 70 secure these
securities they are in danger Of beine
an entire loss to the Cotton estate
Justice Barnard is asked to appoint
an attorney or attorneys In New Yorh
70 look after this matter. their com
penSatlon TO be paid out Of the estate
TelegTaphic press dispatches from Sar
Francisco indicate that warrants have
oesn issued for the arrest OF Bartuett
he being charged with having apuro-
priated these funds by hypothecatins
the stocks and bonds and IN oher way,
pelng connected with the failure Of The
California Safe Deposit and Trust Com.
pany.