The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-10-27

Certain letters written by Mrs. Rob
inson, wife of wealthy Detroit banker
oecasioned the fling of the big damage
suit Mrs. Cope. acting as secretary
for the Womens Home Missionary So
ciety of Kansas. found she could uot
turn over certain funds from the Mur-
ray bequest owing to legal compIca-
tions. Then Bishop David H Moore
wrote Mrs. Robinson letter in which
he made remarks about Mrs. cope thdt
would not be expected from the bishop
of a Methodist church. Mrs. Robinson
then used the material in the letter r.
a fight on Mrs. 1Ope. The Topeka
woman went to the Wichita meeting
and demanded an explanation. The
Detroit bankers wife refused to see her
OF to discuss an adjustment. Then suit
was filed.
1t was six years ago when Mrs. Cope
was one day q guest of Fannie Mur-
ray, a wealthy Lancaster, Kan, widow.
In the course of the visit Mrs. Murray
became interested in the work of the
Womens Home Missionary society, of
which Mrs. Cope was secretary From
that day until her death, the Lancaster
woman followed the work of Mrs. Cope
and the little missionary society with
great interest.
In 1905 and a few months before her
death Mrs. Murray executed a trust
deed to certain property in San Diego
Cal. placing the document with Hor-
ace NJ. Jackson of Atchison, Kan. This
deed provided that after the payment
of all expenses the residue from the
sale of the property should be divided
equally between the Women's Foreign
Missionary society of the Methodist
Episcopal church and incorporated un-
der the laws of New York; and the
remaining One-haf to the Women >
Home Missionary society of the Kan
sas conference of the NJ. Z. church
Then trouble started. jackson found
that the national society was an In
corporaJed body ana could receive the
benefits from the trust deed. The Kan
sas organization was not incorporated
and couldn't draw a dollar. Mrs Cone
then came into the limelight in the
settlement of the estate. She brought
about the incorporation of the state
society and was elected as its treasurer.
Mrs L L. knostman of Manhattan
was chosen president, and Mrs. George
o. Smith. of 501 Topeka avenue. this
city was named as secretary.
From this time trouble was rolled
up in great chunks and placed at the
door of the Kansas corporation The
Officers could not see the same solu-
tion of legal puzzles and the national
organization took hand in the game
and drew no thanks for their services.
Right here, also, is where Mrs Robin
son made her appearance. She saw
Mrs. Cope pursuing one course in the
adjustment of the Murray legacy and
promptly took the opposite side And
from that day to this things have han
pened and words been spoken in the
missionary meetings that were not on
the printed programs.
The san Diego property had been
sold for S21, 500. The national organi-
zation drew down $4,000 and was
thankful. The Kansas corporation was
entitled to an equal amount when
suddenly the women who We're to IN
vest money found themselves in the
midst of a new brand of grief
Mrs. Knostman's husband is
wealthy Manhattan merchant. Just AT
that time he saw how he could profit-
ably invest $4,000. His wife was Dresi-
dent of a new corporation that had
that amount to loan Knostnan,s
wife, according to Mrs. Cope. proposed
to the other officers that her husband
use the money and put up stock in his
Manhattan store as collateral security
The women talked it over. The prom
osition was rejected.
Here was where Mrs Robinson. an
peared. She took sides with the Man
haitian woman and said the Kansas
women ought to be ashamed The
Kansas wonen-except Mrs. Knotsn7ar
and her friends-told Mrs Robinson FL
take the first train back to Detroit ana
look after her own business.
Money Is Invested.
BY consent and advice of the seora
tarY and attorney for the national So