Newspaper Clippings for
May, 1910
5 May 1910
Miss Hope Robinson of Zion City is in this vicinity again.
Miss Bae Adams of Chicago Lawn is visiting her grandmother
here.
Mr. McDonald of Evanston visited over Sunday with David Young.
Mrs. Thos. Anderson of Kansas is here visiting with her mother
Mrs. Eliza Strang.
Mrs. E. A. Martin has been quite ill the past week. We hope to
see her out again soon.
Mrs. C. E. Bonner and Miss Mayme Trotter returned to their
homes in Chicago on Tuesday.
Messrs. C. E. Deman, and William and Guy McGuire were business
callers at Ingleside Thursday.
from the pages of the Waukegan Daily Sun 6 May 1910
INSIDE FACTS IN CAREER OF `SILENT SMITH'
Forthcoming Third Marriage of His Widow
Causes Review of Life History.
Was Nephew of Old George Smith
Who Made Much Money In Lake County
George Smith of Millburn and How His Nephew,
When He Came into His Millions,
Was introduced by Mrs. Keppel,
King Edward's Friend-Most Amazing Chapter of County History.
On excellent authority it is learned in London that a marriage has
been arranged and will shortly take place between Mrs. James Henry
Smith and Bartow Van Vorhis. The matter is being kept very quiet.
In fact, the present intention is to defer the announcement of the
engagement until after the wedding ceremony, and under the
circumstances this report may possibly be denied.
Mrs. Smith is at present in Paris, while Van Voorhis is in London,
stopping at A. J. Drexel's house in Grosvenor square.
Mrs. James Henry Smith was born Annie Armstrong, the daughter of
General John A. Armstrong of Baltimore. Her sister is Mrs.
Anthony J. Drexel of Philadelphia. Her marriage of William
Rhinelander Stewart, son of Lispendard Stewart, in the spring of
1879 was one of the leading events of the social season in
Baltimore. Mr. Stewart was the heir to the great Rhinelander
estate.
Silent Smith in Society.
James Henry Smith, who was known as Silent Jim Smith and the Man
of Mystery, made his first appearance in New York society under
the tutelage of Mrs. Stewart in 1901.
For many years Smith had occupied an unpretentious office in Wall
street. The sign on the door read Geddes & Smith, brokers.
Geddes was Peter Geddes, the American representative of the old
London millionaire. George Smith, who had amassed a fortune of
between $50,000,000 and $60,000,000 by speculations in Chicago and
Milwaukee real estate and in promoting railroads in the western
United States among them the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul
railway.
George Smith was an uncle of Silent Jim and when he died in 1899
Silent Jim made his first appearance as a prominent figure in the
public prints. He went to London, where he was launched on a
social campaign by Mrs. George Keppel, the favorite of King
Edward. He bought a country estate at Tuxedo, and in 1904
acquired from William C. Whitney, at a reported cost of $2,000,000
the handsome Whitney residence at 871 Fifth avenue, with its
wonderful collection of works of art from all over the world.
Always With the Stewarts
Soon after his entrance into New York society it was remarked that
Silent Jim was the inseparable companion of Mr. and Mrs. William
Rhinelander Stewart. He accompanied them on long yachting trips
and was seen with them constantly when they were in New York.
They appeared regularly in his box at the opera.
In June, 1905, it was learned that there had been difficulties
between Mr. and Mrs. Stewart, and shortly afterwards it was
reported that Mrs. Stewart had taken up her residence at Sioux
Falls, S. D., the "Reno" of that day. The announcement that she
had obtained a divorce was made public on August 24, 1906. Mr.
Stewart receiving the custody of his son, William Rhinelander
Stewart, Jr., while Anita Stewart, the daughter, who had been with
her mother at Sioux Falls, remained with her.
Hastened to Marry Him.
Upon obtaining her divorce Mrs. Stewart started east across the
continent on the fastest trains and embarked from New York for
Scotland where Silent Smith was then living on one of his Scotch
estates. Mrs. Stewart and Smith were married on September 13,
1906, in the parish church at Alvie, Invernesshire, by the Rev.
James Anderson.
As tour of the world aboard Anthony J. Drexel's yacht, the
Honeymoon, followed the wedding. Mr. and Mrs. Smith, the duke and
duchess of Manchester, and others made up the wedding party. They
were presented to various potentates, including the amir of
Afghanistan.
While crossing the Indian ocean Mr. Smith complained of toothache.
He was taken off the yacht at Kioto, Japan, where he was treated
for cancer by the best specialists available. He died in Kioto on
March 26, 1907.
Disposed of Millions.
The will of Mr. Smith left $3,000,000 to his widow, a life
interest in $1,000,000 to his sister, Lady Mary Smith Cooper, wife
of Sir George Cooper, co-heir of George Smith; a life interest in
$500,000 to Anita Stewart, his stepdaughter; $12,500,000 to George
Grant Smith, and $6,270,000 to Wm. Smith Mason, nephews, and
$100,000 each to the Orthopaedic and St. Luke's hospital, New
York.
Anita Stewart, Silent Jim's stepdaughter, was married last summer
with royal pomp to Prince Miguel of Braganza, of the house of
Stewart, and pretender to the throne of Spain. She received, it
was reported, a large dowry from her mother.
Bartow W. Van Vorhis is a member of the Union club and the New
York Yacht club. Mr. Van Voorhis has spent most of his time in
recent years abroad.
12 May 1910
Will Strang has returned from his visit at Marshfield, Wis.
John Hughes of Libertyville visited with friends here last
week.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Cremin of Grayslake visited relatives here
last Thursday.
Miss Cora Anderson of Kansas is spending a week with her
sister, Mrs. Stewart
Miss Pearl Cleveland closed her school at Big Hollow last week.
She returned home last Thursday.
Eugene Strang of Waukegan called on friends here the latter
part of the week. He made the trip in his new auto.
Miss Clara Foote went to Wheaton last Wednesday to care for her
neice who has just returned from the hospital after an operation.
Word reaches us from the H. B. Towers, who recently moved to
California, that they are very much dissatisfied with the climate
and that they are in very poor health.
from the pages of the Waukegan Daily Gazette 13 May 1910
A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Neahaus last Friday.
Miss Pearl Cleveland closed her school at Big Hollow last
Wednesday and returned home Thursday.
Eugene Strang of Waukegan was out in his new auto last week.
Miss Florence Anderson of Lake Forest visited relatives over
Sunday.
Will Strang returned from Wisconsin Sunday.
Miss Foote is visiting Mrs. Ralph Wheaton in Wheaton, Ill.
Mrs. Wheaton returned from the hospital last Thursday.
Miss Jessie Jamieson went to Chicago Saturday.
Wm. and W. G. McGuire and C. E. Denman went to Wisconsin
Saturday and returned with a small herd of Gurnsey cattle.
from the pages of the Waukegan Daily Gazette 19 May 1910
Miss Smith and Mrs. D. H. Minto are entertaining their brother,
Rev. T. Smith of Nebraska.
A. K. Bain and Mrs. J. H. Bonner were Chicago visitors Friday.
Maud Cleveland spent from Friday until Sunday with the home
folks.
Wm. McGuire and daughter visited relatives in Grange hall
vicinity Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs. Coldwell of Waukegan spent Sunday with the
latter's cousin, W. E. McGuire.
Wm. G. Thom visited his parents at Libertyville Saturday.
The Misses Young and McDonald of Dumfries, Scotland, are
visiting with the later's brother, David Young. Mr. McDonald of
Evanston spent Saturday and Sunday with them also.
The Hockaday school closed last Friday with a picnic and other
exercises.
Miss Ruby Cleveland entertained company from Fort Hill Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Strang and Son spent Saturday and Sunday
with their mother.
19 May 1910
WISHES OF MOTHER ARE HONORED
The wishes of their mother are stronger than verdict of the law
with the heirs of Mrs. Beatrice Smith, mother of the late James
(Silent) Smith who died at her home in Evanston on March 20th.
The law declared that the will of Mrs. Smith is illegal, but the
heirs will divide the estate she left in strict accordance with
her desires and will not take advantage of the liberties given
them by the invalidity of this document.
The will was filed in the probate court some time ago. Yesterday
Judge Charles S. Cutting refused to record it because of its
illegality. Mrs. Smith had neglected to name an executor or a
residuary legate and her witnesses were two sevants who testified
they had not seen her sign the document, but had attached their
names simply because requested to do so.
Judge Cutting's rulling caused a meeting of the heirs, who number
among them children and grandchildren of Mrs. Smith and servants.
All were in favor of respecting the will.
The will reads:
"I give and bequeath to each of the following persons the sum of
$1,000, Alex Yule of Big Timber, Mont.; Maggie Dietmeyer, Alin
Yule, Louise Y. Gerry, Wollie Heddie Burgess, Ruby Beatrice
Hughes, Beatrice Rossback, James C. Rossback, Mrs. Belle Y.
Phillips, Mary Halada, cook; Mrs. Lavigne, nurse."
"Also to the woman's board of missions of the interior I bequeath
$1,000.
Mrs. L. H. Bonner was a Chicago visitor last Friday.
Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Safford are spending this week in Chicago.
Mr. Peter McDonald of Evanston spent Sunday with David Young.
The Hockaday school closed Friday with a good attendence at the
program and picnic.
Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Strang and son visited Saturday with Mrs.
George Strang.
Miss Young and Miss McDonald of Scotland are visiting with Mr.
and Mrs. David Young.
Miss Maude Cleveland of Rochester Wis., visited from Friday
till Sunday with her parents.
Leslie Cannon returned Monday to Chicago after spending a
number of weeks with his parents.
Miss Florence Anderson of Lake Forest spent Sunday with her
grandmother Mrs. George Strang.
