New-York tribune., 1921-01-19
Widow, From Whom He
Was Separated, Cut OFF
With 500; Two Chill
dren Get $1,000 Each
Relatives Expected
To Contest The Will
Relations of Dorothy L.
Whiteford and Finan.
cier's Son a Mystery

Dorothy Lucille Whiteford, chorus
erl, is the principal legatee under the
viii Of Joseph J. Ryan, Thomas Fort
aue Ryan's youngest son, who died No
venber Is last. The will, which was
fled for probate in the Surrogates'
saice yesterday, cuts off the testator's
widow, Mamie Morse Ryan, from whom
he was separated, with S100.
The value Of the estate is estimated
ns $4,000 and Miss Whiteford's legacy
at $1,000. It is explained in the will
that q settlement adequate for the sup
por. Of Mrs. Ryan and their two chill
dren was included in the separation
agreement executed May 6, 1915. The
cstate consists of two life insurance
policies. aggregating s25 1000, and Ryan's
one-ffth share in realty left by his
mother, the late Mrs. Thomas Fortune
Ryan.
Miss Whiteford, who has been visit
ing friends in Rockledge. Fla, since
January 8, is twspty-three years old,
extremely pretty, and makes her home
With her father, mother, brother and
several sisters at 172 West Seventy
ninth Street. One of her sisters is
the wife of j. NJ. (Jack) Welch, book
ing agent for the Selwyns. Her father,
John H. .Whiteford, IL toy manu-
'acturer of SIS Hudson Street. Miss
Wbiteford was in the chorus of 'The
Royal vagabond," in one Of the George
H. Cohan revues and other musical
shows. She has not been on the stage
IN the last few months.
Knew Him Four Years
Beyond the fact that Miss Whiteford
snd Joseph j. Ryan had been acquainted
sor four years preceding his death and
that she was at his bedside in the Ho-
.el Ansonia with members Of his own
mily when he died, little could be
learned concerning their friendship.
ihe were Just gcod, fFisna as; that
lords brother said yesterday. II knew
Ryan very we'll myself"
DO you know how they metz" the
brothe- was asked.
He said he didn't. although John J.
2obinson, Miss Whiteford's attorney,
had said he understood the brother in
reduced Ryan to Miss Whiteford.
Does Your sister. know Mr. Ryan's
family:"
"No; / can't truthfully say she is
ocially acquainted with then1," Mr..
Whiteford answered.
Il can't see why there should be so
much interest in this matter" he added.
II it wasn't that Ryan was Thomas
Fortune Ryan's son there wouldn't be
any attention paid to it,"
my daughter, Dorothy, had known
Mr. Ryan for some time" the mother
said. "she was his dear friend-in fact,
MS only friend. She was with him
adential secretary to Mr.. Ryan"
Mrs. Whitefcrd's statement was Aade
before the interview with her son and
ne was displeased when informed Of
her concluding remark.
Dorothy wasn't Ryan's confidential
secretary or anything like that" he ex-
claimed.
Will May Be Contested
Efforts to reach Thomas Fortune Ryan
last night were unsuccessful. A repre-
pr"@oSA'C VI AAis ISyhli ueH lH4O3ESQ a.
he Surrogates' off ce every day for the
.ast month as to whether the will had
been filed, ard this occasioned surmee
thst contest may be in prospect. Mis-.
Mamie Morse Ryan and her two chill
aren, Eleanor NJ. and Joseph J. Ryan
IT.: arc in Italy.
i don't know the woman and never
heard Of her BEFORE" YVES the comment
d Allan A. Ryan, brother of Joseph.
DO not wish to discuss my brothers
WI or the affairs Of his estate"
:. Mortimer L. Shuford, of 81 Wall
ssfeet, executor of the will, said Ryan
aaa provided for the payment of an
saple monthly sum for the support
his wife and children" when they
separated. Mr. Shuford said report
ABOUT six weeks ago that Joseph J.
aysn's heirs would forfeit his share
Z. MS mothers estate because he lied
itEeous,
Joe's heirs viii, inherit one-ffth Of
hs mothers estate" said Mr.. Shuford.
fcoatsaued On psas 6vs,
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