The New York herald., 1921-11-10
MISS BOURNE SUES,
ACCUSING BROTHER
Asserts She Was Induced to
Accept $4,000 Property
for False Value.
NOW SEEKS 1889, ,l20
Her Part in Fathers Estate
Placed at $5,075,685 Under
Provisions of Will.
DARK ISLAND INVOLVED
Deal Repented by Heiress Was
for Summer Home in st.
Lawrence River.

Miss Marjorie Bourne, one of the
four daughters of the late Frederick
G.. Bourne, who was president of the
Singer Manufacturing Company and
commodore of the New York Yacht
Club, started a suit in the Supreme
Court yesterday to recover $3.50, ,12O.97
from her brother, Arthur X. Bourne
and George P. Vail, executors of her
fathers will
She accuses her brother of having
persuaded her to accept, as part Of her
heritage, the summer place, Dark
Island, in the st. Lawrence River, at
a valuation of 1889, 9,120.97, whereas, she
says, the real value is not more than
$4,000. She asks the court to compel
the executors to cancel the contract
and repay to her the whole sum or
credit it to her share Of her fathers
estate.
F. G. Bourne died at Oakdale. l.. l..
on March 9, 1919 His estate was the
largest ever settled in Suffolk county
and was appraised for Inheritance tax
it was divided almost equally among
seven children. Miss Marjorie Bournes
share was s5.075,6S5. Part of the
residuary estate is not yet distributed.
In her complaint, filed yesterday In
the Supreme Cour. by her attorneys,
Clifford, Hobbs & Beard OF 60 Broadway.
Miss Bourne says that in May. 1919, 1t
was agreed by the heirs and the execu-
tors that she should take the st. Law
renee property. Dark Island, as a part
distribution Of her share OF the residuary
estate, in lieu Of cash and at a valuation
equal to any bona fide bid from outside
the family. She says no bid exceeded
1900 and the fair market value was
not more than that.
The complaint says that her brother.
Arthur X. Bourne. falsely and fraudu-
lently represented" to her that the ex-
ecutors intended to sell Dark Island
outside the family to the highest bidder.
1t alleges that Arthur Bourne told her
that If she wished to acquire the prop
erty she should sign g. receipt, as
residuary legatee, for sum equal to the
book value Of Dark Island as II ap-
peared in Commodore Bourne's books.
The book value of Dark Island proved
TO be s3S9.120.97. The complaint says
that Arthur Bourne told his sister that
lnlS WAS less tnan tle dCtudi value, anu
that believing what he said to be true.
she entered into the agreement. dated
May 26, 1919. to take Dark Island at
the book valuation.
AS Miss Bourne's share in the residu-
ary estate available for distribution was
not then large enough to permit the
executors to charge 1t with the entire
$3ss.12097. her sister. May b. Strass-
burger, agreed that one-half of this sum
should be charged against her share.
Then deeds and bills of sale were exc
cuted. according to the complaint. and
later Miss Bourne repaid the 1874, 4,560.4s
advanced by her sister.
The result of II all, II Is alleged. Is
that Arthur n Bourne has "appropTi-
ated te himself s55,574.4S from Miss
Bournes share as representing his one
seventh interest in Dark Island when he
was entitled to only 500. and that
each of her brothers and sisters got
shares equivalent to $3.50. 900. while Miss
Bourne got a share worth only $4,000.
Arthur Bourne's attorneys are Yer
Planck & Prince of 149 Broadway. Re-
porters calling there yesterday to get
Mr. Bournes eide Of the controversy
were told that no one who could make
any statement was available