The Washington times., 1923-06-07
HAWAIIAN BOY IS
HEIR To DIG
FORTUNE
Romantic Series Of Events to
Make Him Very Rich
When He's Of Age.
BY IRENE CORDIALLY KUHN.
international News Service.

vs. HONOLULU, June 7.-Etlchard
p. Smart, who, ! though only ten
years old, already enjoys an In
come Of $4,000 a year and who
will be a multi-millionaire when he
reaches the age Of twenty.one. has
arrived in Hawaii for his annual
vacation.
Orphaned when a baby and the
central figure in one OF the most
tragic romances and bitter legal
battles in the history of the terri
tory, Baby Richard" as he was
known TO all Hawaii a few years
ago, is developing into sturdy
little lad and already evinces no
little interest in the great Parker
ranch on the Island Of Hawaii, <of
which some day he will be the sols
owner.
The story of "Baby Richard" and
his parents dates back to- early In
1912. Thelma Parker, his mother,
was then eighteen and considered
one Of the most beautiful and val
ented girls in all Hawaii. She was
the daughter Of John Parker, found
err OF the huge Parker ranch, one
OF the greatest In the 'Wor1d, ana
In her veins flowed a strain OF Ia
waiian blood, which added g distinct
touch Of piquancy to the beauty Tor
which she was noted.
Romance ON Ship.
In the spring OF 1912. . few,
months after her eighteenth birth
day, Thelma Parker was returning
to Hawaii after a visit to the main
land. on the steamer en- route from
san Francisco she met Henry Gall
lard smart, son of Virginia clergy
man. who had been employed as =
clerk BY the Trent Trust Company
OF honolulu and was returning to
his work here. There was brief
co,irtship aboard ship, and in July
OF that year the Parker ranch heir
ess became the wife of Smart.
Two children were born. The
first, Richard, in Honolulu, on May
81. 1918. and the second, in Paris.
France, in September OF the fol.
lowing year. The second baby lived
only twenty days. The mothers
health had begun to fail shortly
after the birth OF the first Child
and she did not long survive the
second one.
On November, II. 1914. she died
at San Francisco hotel. As she
passed away a Hawaiian orchestra.
grouped at the foot OF ner bed,
played softly aloha De-"
Just before her marriage the heir.
ess had placed her estate in a trust,
of which Alfred Cart ter, who is still
manager. of the Parker ranch, was
trustee. At the time she also made
a/wiIl which largely favored ncr
mother, Mrs. John Parker knight.
who is now guardian Of Baby Rich
ard. Later. however, she made q
second will also strongly favoring
her mother and her own relatives.
Father Is Accused.
Shortly thereafter the third and
last will appeared unexpectedly.
In thls Mrs. Smart left her entire
estate to Mrs. knight and other
members Of her family. Mrs. Knight
at once employed counsel and filed
a petition for the appointment OF
herself as the guardian OF Baby
Richard In this petition she made
Gaillard Smart, the father OF the
boy, alleging his unfitness to have
custody Of the baby. She declared
that his actions prior to the death
Of his wife were cruel, inhuman,
unfeeling and neglectfuT and
charged that his sole purpose in
marrying the heiress had been to
gain possession Of her property.
In answer, Smart made sensa-
tional charges against Mrs. knight
and her husband. It was not until
April 20, 1915, that a compromise
was arranged between attorneys
for the opposing sides. and Mrs.
knight was given custody Of Baby
Richard until he should become six
teen years old, but the father was
to remain his legal guardian. On
the death of Mrs. Knight the estate
was to be DIVIDED between Smart
and the baby-one-third to the for
mer and two.thirds to the latter.
Henry Gaillard Smart died a lit
tie more than year after his wife,
thus making Baby Richard the sole
heir. AS the estate now stands
the boy receives two-thirds OF the
net income, the greater part of
which is being invested for him.
At the time Of the execution of
the original trust the ranch con-
sisted Of 1882 acres, on which
there were 10000 head Of cattle,
1000 horses and $4,000 sheep. The
net yearly income at the time of
the compromise was estimated at
| $4,000
Under a court order issued re-
Gently here the lad was allowed
| SIG, 800 a year for his maintenance.