Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-08-19
PLANS TO EDUCATE HER
Wants Young Woman Trained il
Catholic Faith.
SUIT Is HEARD IN NEW YORK
Lawyers in Case Are Unwilling to
Discuss 1t-Name OF Ref.
cree Is Withheld.

ly guarded, news got out yesterday that
for many weeks. until a few days ago. a
referee appointed by the supreme court
Of this county has been quietly taking
testimony in an action by Mrs. James J
Hill. wife or the president OF the Great
Northern railroad, to get the custody Of
her granddaughter, the eldest daughter
Of Mr.. and Mrs. Samuel Hill.
| Not even the name Of the referee would
be disclosed by any OF the lawyers con-
nected with the case, nor could the
courts order Of reference be found at
the county courthouse. But at least
two lawyers admitted that such an action
| had been In progress. though they re-
fused to discuss II. saying 1t was OF no
interest to the public.
Mrs. James J. Hill has been represented
| first by Arson McCook Beard OF Mas
| sau street. and later by both MT Beard
and ex-Supreme Court Justice Henry A.
Gildereleeve, 2 Rector street, whom Mr;
Beard brought into the case. Samuel
Hill, who married the eldest daughter OF
James J. Hill In 81. Paul in 1888. Is rep
resented by ex-Supreme Court Justice
william N. Cohen, q William street.
Mr.. Cohen declined yesterday to say
Hills other than that 1t could not posi-
bly, interest the public. When told that
any court action concerning FAMILY OF
such prominence would probably be IN
yer and had to protect the affairs OF his
client. and he was not ready TO make any
| statement regarding the AFFAIR.
Ex-Justice Gildersleeve was said to be
| on his vacation in. New Hampshire and
could not be reached. Mr.. Beard. the
| other attorney for Mrs. James ]. Hill,
said there wasn't anything Of public in
terest In the affair which he could dis
cuss.
Granddaughter Of Age Now.
He was not inclined to admit even that
a referee had been taking testimony. but
when informed that this mitch was posi-
lively known. and that Mrs. Hill. his
| client, was known to have started the
action for the custody and education OF
her granddaughter. Mr. Beard said that
when the resort was had TO the courts the
granddaughter was not OF age, but that
she had gained her majority while the
referee was taking the testimony, and
therefore could do as she pleased
been asked or why Mrs. Hin wished to
have her granddaughter brought up un-
| der her direction rather than under the
guidance OF the girls father. He did say,
however. in an effort to minimize the
Importance of the action. that the referee
had not made his report and might never
| do so in view Of the girls becoming of
age, and. therefore. legally competent to
choose her own home and method OF edu-
cation as we'll as her religion.
From no source could IL be learned who
testified before the referee. all inquiries
as to the referee. witnesses and records
Of testimony leading every time back to
| Mr.. Boards Office. The index records OF
| the county clerk were searched yester-
| day afternoon from January I down to
the present time for anything like an
order Of reference, but in vain. 1t either
does not appear at all. or Is concealed
| against the scrutiny OF the curious.
Deny Separation 1umor.
The first reports about the appointment
| OF a referee had 1t that Mrs. Samuel Hill
| was seeking a separation. but both ex-
| Judge Cohen and Mr. Beard emphaticaily
| denied this as far as the present action
| is concerned. The only suggestion made
| from any source OF a reason for Mrs.
James j. Hii's step was her desire to
have her granddaughter educated in the
| Catholic schools and brought up In the
Catholic faith. to which both she and her
husband belong: Mr.: Hin has given away
| churches and schools. including 100000
| toward establishing the Roman Catholic
Seminary at st. Paul
Samuel Hill. however, who is a native
or NOffn 1drOi1na ana no reidtIon &c
| his father in-.aW's family, which IL OF
| Canadian origin. Is understood TO be q
| Protestant, or at least indifferent To
| the plea OF Ills nlother-in-law for his
| daughter to be educated and brought UP
as q Satholic.
Samuel Hill is president OF the WASH
inRton state Good Roads Association, and
| has come before the public chiefly as an
| advocate Of good roads for the farmers
sake. He il q Harvard man. class Of
| %. and was admitted to the bar In 1880
| OF the railway president, In st. Paul was
| the social event OF that city Of the fall
OF 1883. He was reared In Minneapolis.
| but In recent years has made his home
| in Seattle. On the morning of his mar
riaRe he was thrown from q vehicle and
narrowly escaped serious injury.