The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-09-16
Struggling Mother, Once Pros
porous, Brings Suit to Re-
cover Family Residence.
THOMAS j. d. SMITH
DEFENDANT IN CASE
Mrs. Catherine Gillick, Now
Cook in Hospital, Hints There
Was a Conspiracy.

Once possessed of a competence,
Mrs. Catherine Gillick, now poor, ID
fighting for her old home, at present
owned by Thomas j. D. Smith, we'll
known and well-to-do glass manufac-
turer of this city. Mrs. Gillick de-
clares, in Il bill of complaint filed in
chancery, that he fraudulently and un-
lawfully holds it while she slaves her
life away as servant. Mr.. Smith de-
nies her allegations.
The woman states she is endeavor-
ing TO support her family of five on
the slender wages she receives as cook
at the tuberculosis Hospital at We
roma. So far the struggle has been too
much. she says. and one hardy little
youngster. 10 years old, has pitted his
strength against the world in a
struggle to keep soul and body to-
gether He sells papers by day: by
night he stretches his tired little limbs
upon the earth and goes TO sleep under
the stars.
In the dry pages of the legal docu-
ment. now a part of the records of the
court. is woven pathetic tale of hard
ship and privation.
Trouble with Husband.
Eight years ago Mrs. Gillick was
| happy with home. husband and five
little ones, the youngest a few months
old. She lived then at .37-39 Vincent
! street. The property was in the name
| of herself and her husband and was
free of debt. The husband, Patrick,
| borrowed $4,000 for which the home
4 was mortgaged. Later lie borrowed
| $500 more. In 1905. following a dis
agreement, he left home. Mrs. Gillick
had him hailed into court and he
agreed to allow her TO rent the home
and with the money support herself
and the family. He agreed to pay in
| tcrest on the mortgages.
! After a few months, she charges. h,
failed 10 pay the interest. Fore,
closure followed and the property wa.
! advertised for E. le. Mr.. Gillick thol
met Thomas j. l.. Smith defendant in
the present suit, who. she declares
agreed to purchase the property and
hold it in trust for her. On the day
| when the sale was held, Mrs. Gillicli
alleges. Mr.. Smith addressed the as
sembled bidders and asked them not to
bid. explaining tnar he wanted to buy
! tIc properly III TRUST lOr lile ONneT
They refrained she declares. at his re.
quest. and he bought the property for
S4.525. At that time. she says, it was
worth $4,000.
Backed by Afsidavit.
Later she went to Mr.. Smiths office
she AYERS, with purchaser who of
fered Mr.. Smith great deal more foi
the property than he paid for it, Mr.
Smith refused to sell. Later, she de.
clares, Mr.. Smith announced that tho
property WAS his and that she had nj
claim upon him whatever
Joseph A. Connolly, OF this city
who accompanied her to AIr. Smith!
office, in an affidavit declares her story
to be true. Mrs Gillick employed
Michael j. Tansey to bring the suit
Mr.. Smith. through his counsel, Ed
ward NJ. Collie, declares that Mrs. Gil
lick annoyed him frequently by urging
him to buy the place. He says tina
he never made a deal with her, never
addressed the bidders and did not pur
chase the property in trust. He con
siders himself the lawful owner h,
says. and refutes Connolly's affidavit
as we'll as Mrs. CLICKS. The cas-.
comes up in chancery next Tuesda.
upon the return Of a rule to SHOW
cause why Mr.. Smith should not b,
enjoined from transferring the prop
crty and why he should not max,
restitution to Mrs Gillick.