The Washington times., 1917-09-22
DATA IS STOLEN.
IN BINGHAM CASE,
LAWYERS DECLARE

AO-NF N.Y. sept - w ullt
Judge Robert W. Bingham. husband OF
the late Mrs. Henry H. Flagler by her
second marriage, has refused to talk
since his return from his vacation in
Atlantic City and New York, his at
torneys are not so reticent. The fact
that report comes from Wilmington,
N. c., that his wife's body is about to
be exumed to discover the real cause
Of her DEATH failed to break the
silence that the Judge has maintained.
Attorneys for Judge Bingham took
cognizance of the conditions at VIII
mington, where q guard has been
placed over the grave OF Mrs. Bing-
ham, and issued a statement contain
ing two important facts:
Attorneys Statement.
First-That q representative of
Judge Bingham will go at once to
Wilmington to ascertain all the facts
In connection with activities there.
Second-ThAt the office of DR.. NJ.
L. Ravitch In the Atherton building
here was invaded Thursday morning,
his papers thoroughly examined, and
some Of them stolen.
Two OF Judge Bingham's counsel
issued the following statement re-
lating their plans and discoveries:
"A representative of Judge Bling
ham stated that he was greatly sur
prlsed at the reports coming from
New York in reference to the exhu-
nation OF the body OF Mrs. Bingham.
and that no one OF Judge Bingham's
friends knew anything Whatsoever
about 1t. 1t seems from the news
papers that Helm Bruce, who is the
counsel for the executors and trus-
tees under Mrs. Bilgham's will, was
likewise entirely ignorant
VIII Send Inquirers.
"a representative of Judge Bling
ham has asked an intimate friend to
60 at once to Wilmington and find out
exactly what, II anything. has been
done there in this matter; whether
there has been any request for such
thing; by whom such request has been
made, II any has been made, and for
what purpose such a proceeding IL to
be had, and to see that in the event
there is any such purpose (which
Judge Bingham's representatives can
not believe to be true) Judge Bing-
ham Is given full notice SO that he
may have a representative present
1T was reported in one Of the news
papers some time ago that DR..
Ravitch, who, with DR.. Borgess., at
tended Mrs. Bingham in her last Ill
ness, had received since her death a
present or fee Of t50,oo0 and an auto
mobile"
PApers Are Stolen.
"A curious incident occurred in con-
nection with DR.. Ravitch on wednes-
day night or early Thursday morning
OF this week. At that time DR.. Raw
itch's office in the Atherton building
was entered. his desk forced, his
papers and medical records searched
and scattered all over the room and
some OF them stolen. !;
"Dr. RaVitch has made a report Of
these facts to the proper authorities,
and no doubt the matter will be care
fully investigated"
The eodicil to the win which gave
Bingham $4,000, 900 was written on
DR.. Ravitch's stationery. Discovery
OF the thief Is regarded as very i'm
portant-
Fred Forcht and Helm Bruce, chief
counsel in Kentucky for Mrs. Laur-
ceives about $50, 900. 900 from the
estate of Mrs. Bingham, refused to
make any statement concerning the
Wilmington reports of elimination.
Detectives ut Work.
Detectives, II was said, have been
at work in Louisville several weeks
in connection with the case. 1t lie I'M
derstood that a former chief OF police
is engaged by Judge Bingham's attor-
neys. and that close watch Is being
maintained on every person connected
with the AFFAIR and even on telephone
generations.
Judge Bingham, with W. r. Keenan,,
OF New York, and W. A. Blount, of
Pensacola, Fla, executors OF Mrs.
Bingham's will, have appealed to the
court to set aside the agreed or
der entered appointing two trust COM
panies In Louisville joint administra-
tors OF the estate. It was believed
when this agreement was entered
that this presaged q settlement OF the
trouble and that Mrs. Lewis would
not file a suit to break her aunt's
will as had been expected she claim
ing, II is understood, that her aunt
was subjected to undue influence"
Fight May Go On.
Her appeal indicates, however. that
the hght will go on, and that Mrs.
Lewis will sue. The sympathy in
Kentucky is strongly in favor OF
Judge Bingham.
The facts in regard to Mrs. Bing-
hams last illness are as follows:
Mrs. Bingham frequently felt Ill.
without having apparently a special
malady. DR.. Ravitch, a close personal
friend OF Judge Bingham, frequently
miniStered to her, and Mrs. Bingham
had the greatest confidence in him.
When Mrs. Bingham became acutely