Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1911-11-28
Typist Says Aged Pub
Usher Promised
Ring and Bonds.
HAD JOLLY LITTLE
DINNERS TOGETHER
Beneficiary's sLawyerDe
That Miss Thompson
Has Any Claim.

As the latest claimant for a part of
the haIf-million dollar estate OF
Charles b. Reed. New York pub
Usher and art cOnnoisseur, Miss Flor
ence NJ. Thompson. of 1O5 Twenty-sec-
ond street, Irvington, "A pretty young
woman, who was formerly a stenog-
rapher, has instituted an action to
have herself appointed as administra-
trix of his estate In New York cSunty.
Miss Thompson met Mr.. Reed while
she was working in New York office.
and she asserts that they became very
friendly, often enjoying Jolly" little
dinners at his expense. She wishes to
recover particularly a diamond ring
and some bonds which she says he in
timated he would leave her.
Mr. Reed, who died last March. divid-
ed his property between his family ply
sician, Dr. James P. Fiske. and Mrs.
William Grant Brown, wife of the law
yer who drew the will. The will was
sent to Greenwich, where Mr.. Reed had
$4,000 home, for probate.
Miss Thompson, who now wishes to
share her elderly friends estate, is a
pretty woman Under 25. At present
she is living at home with her parents
in Irvington.
Met Before His Wife's Death.
While Miss Thompson would not tel
exactly how long ago she became
acquainted with Mr., Reed she admitted
having met him before the death of
Mrs. Reed.
Ibid Mr.. Reed make any promise
that he would marry your" she was
asked.
"oh, mol. she answered quickly. "He
gave me "a perfectly lovely diamond
ring, l know, but that wsss. mean
for an engagement ring-not in the
strict sense of the word.
When asked about the $1,000 bond
said to have been given her as a pres
ent last Christmas. she would neither
admit nor deny that she had re-
ceived it.
But he was interested in me-" Miss
Thompson naively confessed. ITO what
extent is my own affair, I think"
Miss Rose FEEDER, a chum Of Miss
Thompson, admitted having attended
some of the Jolly little dinners Mr..
Reed is said to have given for Miss
Thompson's benefit.
In affidavits on file in the surrogate's S
office Miss Thompson and her attorney,
Louis Wertheimer, of 302 Broadway,
Manhattan swear that when MIR. Reed
died he had in his possession a valuable
diamond ring belonging to Miss Thomp-
son.
Miss Thompson also alleges that the
publisher promised to place certain
bonds in his safe deposit box, with her
name on them, so that in the event of
any accident happening she could be
provided for.
Mr.. Reeds will was dated as having
been executed on February 27. In the
papers he has filed with Surrogate
Fowler. Attorney Wertheimer incor-
porates a letter written by DR.. Fiske
to Miss Thompson and dated February
25. 1911-two days before the will was
drawn.
"Dr. Fiske probably wrote the letter
to ward the woman off" explained
Mr.. Hansl attorney for Dr. Fiske.
"Ihis case is just like many other
cases where a wealthy man dies ap-
parentiy without heirs. There's a
scramble for his estate. This woman
has made some ridiculous claims. She
really wants certain properties which
she cannot get. 1t Is not true that
Mr. Reed had promised to marry her,
although l am told she claims he took
her to luncheon and to the theatre fire.
1uently and gave her presents"
The appeal of Jessie B. Reed, a nun
sf the convent of the Sisters of Charity
Of st. Vincent de Paul at Mt. Vincent,
on the Hudson, from the decision of
the Probate Court of Greenwich, which
allowed Mr.. Reeds estate to the two
benefioiaries named in his will, prom
hes to further complicate matters. Mr..
Reed was her father.