The L'Anse sentinel., 1921-05-20
Royalty Gets Grip
]. on Leeds Millions

bought the concern and the profits O
the "blg four" were estimated to hav,
been close to $40OOO,OOO.
Mr.. Leeds and his associates in
vested their profits in the Chicago
Rock Island & Pacific railroad. Those
were the good old days of watered
stocks and the Leeds-Reid-Mo
combine soon had the Rock Island a
far different institution than in the
calm days of r. r. Cables control
Leeds was made president of the road
In 1902, but after two years he quar-
relied with his partners and was oust-
ed from Office. However, he had
cleaned up" and his fortune had
grown apace.
Divorced From First Wife.
Meanwhile Leeds had been divorced
from the wife of his earlier years
whose money was the nest egg of his
huge fortune. She received fiat sum
Of $1,0O0,000. They had a son, Ru-
dolph Gaar Leeds of Richmond-who
by the way received $10OO,OOO by his
fathers WILL
Mrs. Leeds No. 2, the present Prin-
cess Anastasia, was Miss Mamie
May Stewart. daughter of a wealthy
Ohio banker. She was regarded az
one of the prettiest girls in Cleveland
when she was married to George f.
Worthington. 1t was not long before
the Worthington marital bark struck
rough waters. Mrs. Worthington Sc
cured the divorce.
IT was about this time that Mr..
Leeds met her and became infatuated
with her. II was only three days
after the Leeds divorce was granted
that Mrs. Worthington became the
second Mrs. Leeds. AS a wedding
present Mr.. Leeds gave his new bride
Jewelry valued at more than a mil
Hon dollars mansion on Fifth ave-
nue. estimated to be worth $2,OOO,OOO.
and an ocean-going steam yacht. 1t
was on one of their visits to Paris
that Leeds bought Mrs. Leeds No. 2
a $4,000 pearl necklace.
About that time son was born to
the happy pair-the present w. B.
Leeds, Jr. This youth gained the title
poor richest boy because Of the
great care his mother and father pro
'ided and the fortune spent on guard
ng his footsteps.
A Royal Brineing-Up.
When this child was two and one
lalf years old he went with his father
md mother to London. And here, In
'art, is cabled newspaper dispatch
# how the once humble florist and
ailroad worker provided for his heir
" second marriage:
mot even an heir to royalty could |
ave more elaborate care nor more |
luxurious service than this little |
american Is now receiving. 1t is the |
Wonder Of the whole hotel (the ex-
lusive Claridge).
1.-Two nurses are In constant attend |
nee and maid, valet, and extra
ervants are devoted to chasing away
ull care"
Death Of Mr.. Leeds.
1t was June %, 1908. in France. that
he "tin plate king" died. The will
vas filed at Mineola. L. l., Septem-
er 3, 1908.
Stripped of legal phraseology, here
J the paragraph that gives to royalty
{ Greece (by marriage) the bulk of
he 'tin plate" millions:
IF the son, william b. Leeds, Jr.,
r issue of his shall survive the widow
Mrs. Leeds No. 2, now Princess An
stasia) three-fourths of the resIduary
state Is to be set aside for william
!. Leeds, Jr., or his issue"
In other words. II Princess Anasta-
"a dies, her husband. Prince Chris
,pher, brother of King Constantine.
ets about S10O00,OO0. and young
eeds about s30OOO,OO0. Then when
oung Leeds dies, his royal widow or
ieir children, II any. will get the
100000 or more OF good American
loney.
After the death OF Mr.. Leeds and
the years before his widow was
,ptured by the Greeks. she broke into
uropean society right and Ieft--reaI
,yalty's private grounds Of
'e Leeds millions at her command
Iany dented title sought her hand
J marriage. Her marriage to Prince
christopher occurred at Geneva on
anuary 81. 1870. and made her Z |
,usin Of most Of the royalty OF Eu-
80 ana eavo ho~ ~.soh ~~-r<~a