The Detroit times., 1912-09-12
FHREE GOVERNMENTS WANT
TO KNOW WHY CLIENTS
left FORTUNES TO LAWYER
/ May Be All Right for Them 60
Do it, But They Want to
Know About it
THOROUGH PROBE is ON
three Cornered Investigation
Revolves Around Burton w.
Gibson, of New York

NEW YORK, Sept. l1.--What kind
bf man is Burton w. Gibson. wealthy
New York lawyer? Three govern.
nents want to know. America,
ireat Britain and Austro-H Hungary
nave Joined issues TO probe the mys.
cries that seemingly engulf Lawyer
iibson's moneyed clients.
The Austrian consul-general want
O know more about the mysterious
will and death OF the Countess Ross
Menschik Szabo. She was drowned
n Greenwood lake, n. ", July 16, and
Immediately afterwards Gibson az
,eared with will making him solo
Executor over her estate OF $4,000.
"In the name of God" began the
will. and II ended by bequeathing all
he property to the countess mother,
Mrs. Petronella Menschik
Gibson explained to the surrogate
court that the mother lived In Chica-
20 and was the only relative OF the
deceased. The Judge turned the es-
tate, mostly bank accounts, over TO
Gibson as executor. About the same
lime an old woman went with
ibson to Brooklyn notory and
signed legal paper making II pos.
bible for Gibson to get the funds I'm
bis possession. The woman signed
the name of "Petronella Menschik,
mother"
Apparently the case was ended
Then the Austrian consul heard of It
He cablcd a few brief facts TO Vienna.
where the Austrian government got
Into communication with the Men
schik family.
The New York consul got a hurry.
up cable from the Vienna chief Of
police declaring that the mother OF
the countess had died two years ago
and that her death was known to the
countess, last February when she
made her will. Mrs. Menschik had
never been In Chicago. Furthermore
the chief suggested that the countess
had probably been murdered for her
money.
Friends OF the dead countess, who
Is described as q dashing brunet, tell
about mysterious influence Lawyer
| Gibson had over his client. He called
upon her daily and spent much time
with her, they say. Twice he took
| her to Greenwood lake. When she
came back the first time she said tina,
while boating she had fallen out, bat
had saved herself.
July 16 the countess and Gibson
went again. This time the boat turn
ed over. Gibson says the countess
tipped IL over as they were eXchang
ing places. When help arrived the
lawyer was clinging To the overturn
ed boat; the countess was drowned
], Gibson hurrledly returned 10 New
|'York, leaving the recovery OF tht
body to others, and went about get
ting the will probated and the bank
books in his hands.
The action OF Austria has stirred
the British government into pTobins
Gibson. About year ago Gibson got
$4,000 damages from railroad com
rany for John r. O'Neill, an Irish
boy. O'Neill had one OF his legs acc.
dentally cut of a short time after hC
came over to New York lie wenI
back TO Ireland and bought tavern
returning 70 New York 10 get the bal
ance OF his money. some $4,000
| which Gibson had borrowed. On Mas
4 16. 1911, O'Neill started for Gibson''
Office. telling his sister TO be ready
for dinner when he got back. He ney
er returned Nothing more was ever
seen or heard of him. Gibson say:
he paid him over the money and ther
dismissed him from memory.
Six years ago Gibson had a client
Mrs. Alice Kinnan. in the Bronx. She
lived alone with a HELPLESS, insane
mother. June 8, 1906, the body o.
Mrs. Kinnan was found. She had
been murdered Gibson had beer
attorney for her and her mother
Mrs. Kinnan had quarreled with him
over Gibson's alleged action in get