The Detroit times., 1910-08-24
FIGHTS FOR SHARE
OF BIC ESTATE
New England Girl Says She is the
Daughter of Lucky" Baldwin
Claims Part of Fortune.

Los ANGELES. Cal, Aug. 23.-Out
OF New England has. come here a
charming, winsome maid OF IL TO fight
for a daughters share of the millions
left by Lucky" Baldwin, famous
horseman, who died over year ago
on his magnificent principality known
as the Santa Anita ranch, near Los
Angeles. The first legal step was
taken a few days ago when Leo J.
Mcguire was appointed her guardian
so that the contest OF the dead mil
ionaires viii might begin In due,
courtly form.
AS strange a romance as was ever
penned by the most up-to-date novel
list is told In the plain statement of
the claim OF Beatrice Anita Baldwin
rurnbull. She says she is the daugh-
ter OF the man who left $20,00O,0 900,
and that she knew nothing OF her
fathers identity during all the years
OF hor life until her mother broke the
silence a year ago TO urge her daugh-
ter's rights. Now mother and daugh-
ter have settled here for the long
struggle for the wealth OF the dead
turfman.
To The Times correspondent here
Mrs. Turnbull and her daughter told
their story. Mrs. Turnbull Is the
daughter of VIM. A. Ashley and grew
up on his farm at Royalton, VT. To
Royalton came Baldwin In the '90s to
buy horses for his famous farm and
racing stable. Lillian Ashley, who
helped her father in his dealings, often
met the millionaire.
Takes Fancy to Girl.
Baldwin took a fancy TO the girl
and they correspondent In 1892, her
fathor having died, Baldwin visited
her and when she was one Of an ex-
cursion party to California he met
her In Southern California and per-
suaded her TO go TO San Francisco
with him. There she says he we'd
ded her at common law, telling her
he was a divorced man, but that he
could not marry her publicly because
he had already had too much noto-
riety by his daughter clipping with her
cousin.
Lillian Ashley says she and Bald
win drew up and signed marriage
contract She went to live with him
at Santa Anita, and six months later
learned that he had a wife living.
She fed from him and soon was born
the daughter who now seeks to In
herit part OF his fortune.
She entered suit against Baldwin
and at the trial her sister, Laura Ash
ley, tried to, kill the turfman In the
courtroom in San Francisco. Her
bullet went wild, and though she was
acquitted by a Jury the shot rang
he 90 fy.fa al and aH
It's weight In the verdict against the
girl victim Of Baldwin.
Miss Ashley, with her baby. went
to New York, and there met and mar
ried VIM. Barron Turnbun, an ortho-
poedic surgeon. From that time her
life was spent placidly IN their home
In Boston until the news Of the death
OF Lucky" Baldwin over a year ago
awoke tho mother to the sense OF her
daughters rights to the vast wealth
of her father. She consulted lawyers
and they told her that under the laws
OF California the child Of common
law marriage who has been unprovid-
ed for during her parents lifetime and
who is unmentioned In such parents
will, shares equally with his other
children in his estate.
Birth Certificate Recorded.
The Los Angeles city han holds the
record OF her birth, with her fathers
name, Elias Jackson Baldwin, duly
recorded and there are still living
many persons who recall all the in
cidents OF Baldwin's acquaintance with
Lillian Ashley. But she will not get a
shekel Of the Baldwin money without
a desperate contest by those to whom
Baldwin left his millions-unless they
compromise.
Baldwin's own history outrivals the
most shocking or astounding yellow
back.
He was married thrice and divorced
orce. He was gambler, miner, hotel
boniface, race track plunger. breeder
OF horses, real estate speculator. and
eternally a litigant. Lawyers fattened