The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-27
Letter MILLIONS.
Facts About Their Disposition
Come Out in Court.
Lord and Lady CurZon Poverty
Stricken in London.
JOE LETTERS PLUNGE.
Dropped Nine Millions Trying
to Corner Wheat.
Annual Allowance But $4,000
in Consequence.
JOE LETTERS PLUNGE.

Chicago, Oct. Authorizations show
ing the poverty of Lord and Lady
Curzon, who was Mary Letter, after
their return from India, where they
had ruled over millions of subjects in
regal splendor, and disclosure of the
actual sum, SO, 000, 900, that Joe" Letter
dropped in his famous plunge in the
wheat pit, were made public for the
first time yesterday in the suit of Hugh
Crabbe against the Zeigler Coal COM
pany on trial in Judge Eberhardt's
court.
Because of Letters unfortunate spec
ulation, as was shown, his allowance is
now only $4,000 a year, while both his
sisters are receiving more than twice
this amount.
Lady Curzon's poverty followed her
to her grave. This much has come to
light: When she and Lord Curzon re-
turned to England they could not open
their magnificent London house, Carl
ton House Terrace, but were forced to
take rooms in a hotel and live mex
pensively while waiting for funds to
arrive from America.
In few months Lady CurZOn died,
but in a letter, which was produced in
court yesterday, she wrote that until
she knew whether she was to receive
the full income from her fathers estate
she could not open her town house. She
asked that all of her mail be sent there.
but it is known that the house was
rented and that her mail was forward
ed to her hotel
The financial difficulties of the Cur
IONS were caused by the immense
drains made upon Lady Curzon's purse
by their establishment and entertain
ment in India. Lord Curzon was with
out private means and his salary as
viceroy was a mere bagatelle when 1t
came to paying for the expenses of liv-
ing up to the style his position de-
manded.
At this time, however, Lord Curzon
has sufficient for his and his children's
needs. He and his children are each
receiving $6S,000 a year from the Lew
z. Letter estate, beside the income from
81, 100000 placed in trust.
Joseph Letter received $4,000 month
from the estate. When he dropped
million in the wheat pit his father came
to his rescue and assumed $1,OOO,OOO OF
the burden. When he died, however, he
charged each one of the children VI
with the money they had received from
him before his death. Therefore, Joe
Letter has to pay interest on $4,000, 00(
that he dropped in the wheat pit. Lady
Suffolk, who was Miss Daisy Letter, re-
ceives an income of $125,00O year, as
also does her sister. Mrs. Colin Camp
bell, formerly Nancy Letter.
Lady CurZOn S letter. IN WHICH Snt
told of her financial straits, was writ
ten to Hugh Crabbe in February, 1907
A short time after this Lady Curzor
died and Lord CurZon received set
Element in part of the L. Y. Letter es-
tate. 1t appears that he was paid too
much money and because of this he wa:
informed that his income from the es-
tate would be forwarded to him les:
$1,000 His lordship expressed hi:
"horror' at this and said so plainly II
| a letter to Mr.. Grail be.
Crabbe says that the trouble between
| himself and Joe Letter which finally
| led to the young millionaire dismissint
| him from the employ of the Letter es
| tate arose over the fact that Joe" Lett
| er knew there was a spy in the offices
| of the estate who was keeping Lad!
Curzon informed regarding the man
! agement of the Letter millions.
Letter thought that the spy wa
| Crabbe when he saw the letter from
Lady Curzon addressed in his sister
| handwriting to Crabbe.
An attempt made to get thes'
| letters before the jury by Attorne!
Elias Mayer, who is representing Mr.
| Crabbe, was promptly checkmated b!
| Attorney Miller for the defense. Th'
attempt was made while w. j. War;
Mr.. Crabbes successor, was on the wit
| pacS stand