The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-06-23
IN DEATH
OF HENRY FLAGIFR
Relative of Florida Millionaire
Refused Admission to House
When His End Came.


mer Flagler. head of the Western
branch of tho Flaeler family and near.
est blood relative OF the late Henry NJ.
Flagler. except tor Harry Hardness
Flngler. n son. has given out a. state
ment of the strange circumstances sur
rounding his last visit to the Florida
empire builder and concerning the con-
struction OF part of the will.
Tho S1o0,oo00oo estate of Henry NJ.
Flagler. was devised principally to tho
widow. who was Mary L. Keenan,. She
received SEQ. 200. The son received
$4,000. GOO. and the rest was divided
among relatives OF Mrs Elagler. busl-
ness associates OF the dead fnancier,
and charities.
J. 70. PARROT. president OF the Flagler
railroad; William r Keenan,. brother
we're named trustees of the estate
In his Interview Mr. Flagler said:
Got Shock of His Life.
when I went to Palm Beach imme-
dia tely before Henry's death, l received
the shock OF my life
Instead of finding him a sick old
man. in the luxurious home he had
built. surrounded by the beautiful
things which ne loved and where he
would naturally prefer to spend his
last moments. | found him hustled
away to old. bleak. uncomfortable
house away out by tho beach
Instead OF finding him surrounded
by the friends and relatives who had
loved and respected hi mduring life-
drawn around the lonely house. forbid
ding entrance to every one
Instead of finding the surgeons and
specialists which Mr. FlaEler's wealth
could easily command. l found in en-
tire charge of the sick room and to
the exclusion of every one else. Mrs.
Flaglers cousin. n village physician
named Keenan,.
Treated as Outsider.
Instead of tho welcome that might
naturally be expected under the cir
cumstances. l found that l was treated
as an outsider. An old friend and
cousin. nearest relative except the son.
was forbidden a talk with the dying
man.
Il was denied admittance to tho
house. stopped by the detectives, and
forbidden to leave n card or approach
the dwelling by j PARROT, one Of
the biggest benefciaries under the will
l was denied every opportunity to get
near him, to thank him once before he
died for what he had done for me.
Eight years ago, when I was just
beginning to make good in business,
I acquired water rights which will de-
veiop into property worth millions up
in Minnesota. Then the government
made it forest reserve, and attracted
the attention of Canadian competitors
who put in protests through the Brit
ish ambassador. In order to get it
cleared up. it was necessary TO set the
wheels of government at Washington
moving. and that I was unable to do.
SIcnnt MIKE or RreoL
II was desperate, for it meant my
fortune or ruin. and finally | asked
Henry TO write a note to the then
Secretary of State. Elihu Root. asking
for consideration lie did. and my
troubles vanished as If by magic. His
influence saved my business career.
so what was more natural than.
when he was so seriously i'll in Feb
raar? and later. that l should want TO
thank him and tell him how grateful
I was before he should die? I hurried
across the continent from California,
expecting TO find him dead
Spoke In Whispers.
II announced my arrival by telegram
10 Mrs. Flagler. but received no reply
or Acknowledgement. 1t was immedi-
at"ly after my arrival AT West Palm
Beach that I discovered the shocking
conditions surrounding my cousin in
his last illness.
"Neighbors and old friends told me
disquieting things. There are strange
things doing out there, they said to
me. whispering under their breath for
Parrott, after t'lagler. rules Florida.
Ola business associates of the dying
man came TO me. Brothers OF mine
in the Masonic Order said the same
thing
When thought it over, went
out to the telegraph office. and. after
endless trouble and refusals from the
operator-which ceased after I noticed
q dat .i,cr in ,.r,,J
sent the following telegram to Harry
darkness Flagler at his home. in New
York:
""Your father is calling for you.
Your presence is imperative and neces-
sary. Your father loves you dearly
and longs to see your face and speak
with you before he dies.
Father aud Son EStrnnged.
You see. Harry had been cstranged
from his father for twelve years. and
it seemed to me that. If every other
friend were to he barred from his bed
side. the son should be there Whether
the message reachd him or not | don't
know. At any rate he came immedi-
ately, but in the meantime his father
died There were none with him but
his third wife her cousin and PARROT,
who received 100000 from the estate
and an ARRANGEMENT whereby he is to
manage the East Coast system as long
he likes.
II received information before the
funeral that was not to receive a
card of admission. didn't ask for
one. With thousands or others / paid
my humble respects 10 Henry NJ. Flag
Ter outside the churcn and then went
away.
That is the story of how one Of the
greatest men America has ever known
died"