The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-06-23
ROOSEVELT
ESTATE IS
DEFENDANT
Woman Files Claim for
$69, 800 on Alleged Note
Signed by T. r.

Hillsdale, Ind. June 23.-Mrs.
Emma Richardson Burkett, who has
filed a claim for $6s,s00 against
the Theodore Roosevelt estate to-
day related as much as she cared
to reveal of the story Of an estate
inherited and loaned out during the
Republican national convention in
June, 1912.
The alleged note bearing Roose-
velt's signature and the will by
which she came into possession of
the money were in the Chemical
National bank in New York. she
said.
Signature Called Forgery.
Her story came after she had
been told attorneys for the estate
characterized the former presi-
dents signature to the alleged note
q forgery.
According to Mrs. Burkett, she
resided at Danville, ILL.,, when the
alleged loan was made, June q.
1912. An uncle, Henry Richard
son, q miner, had left a will pro-
viding that Mrs. Burkett should
take charge of his money, $685. 800
and turn over the interest to Mary
Kenney. his daughter. She said
she received word from a friend
that an investment of the money
had been arranged in Chicago
where she was taken to an office
and met President Roosevelt and
man named Shunson, both Of whom
signed the note. Shunson, she
AYERS, paid her the interest on the
alleged loan until 1917 when she
says he went to France.
VIII Sec Mrs. L0ngworth.
She also remarked that she ex-
pected soon . message to go to
Cincinnati to see Mrs. Alice Long
worth, tho former presidents
daughter, but would not reveal the
purpose of the contemplated trip
i've offered to compromise this
thing" she said, "at first I wanted
the principal and the interest fol
four years, but now l merely wan
the money back that is rightfully
mine"
She asserted the former presi
dent had told her there would b<
no publicity about the matter.
Knew Colonel Well
Mrs. Burkett secuted suggestion.
that she had been duped by clev'
er confidence man posing as thu
former president
Il knew Colonel Roosevelt tot
we'll for them to fool me that way,
she said. Il have always been ,
staunch Republican and 1 had heart
him speak and had shaken hand
with him at q half dozen places il
Terre Haute, Danvflle and othel
places.
Mrs. Burkett told her story afte1
learning that the executors Of tn
Roosevelt estate had branded tn
signature on the alleged note
forgery and had refused to pay he
claim.
Woman Has Court Record.
Danville, ILL.,. June %. Cour
records here show that Mrs. Emm'
r. Burkett was tried and convicte,
at the March term, 1914. Of tn
federal court for violation of tn,
federal postal laws in connection
with q matrimonial agency con
Quoted by her. Evidence was in
troduced at the trial that she wa
known to correspondents through
out the country as Emma Burkett
Emma r. Burkett and Emma l
Emely.
Men who claimed to have bee,
duped by her came from long dis
tances to testify. Her scheme va
to write them she was q handsog1
widow and would to the writel
but that she had no money o
clothes. One man testified havin
sent her money for clothing an
railroad fare, but had never hear
from her again.
Mrs. Burkett was sentenced an
served 60 days in Jail.