Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-04-19
A REMARKABLE CASE.
Attempted Fraud and ATS Discovery
An Estate Of $3.50, 900 FrauduienfIy
Held for Fifteen ears.
from the Minneapolis Tribune.

FROM the minneapolis Tribune.
From the date before us, it appears that
Mrs George Holt and Mrs. ]. w. Brigham,
of this city, with a brother residing Ut
Cheopee, Mass, are sole heirs to an estate
of Sl50000 left by a brother who died 10
Detroit, Michigan, twenty-six years ago.
Jonas c. Brigham the brother referred to,
a son of Dr. Luther Brigham, of Chicopee,
Mass, removed TO Detroit about the year
1888, and embarked in the drygoods bust
ness. Four years later he invented, and
procured a patent on certain machinery for
generating gas, and entered into a contract
to light the city, but in experimenting, one
evening, an explosion occurred, and he was
instantly killed. At the time of his death
he was betrothed to the daughter of Col.
Brooks wealthy gentleman, and at that
time a custom house officer. Col. Brooks
Immediately wrote TO Brigham's father, in
forming him of the death Of his son, and
that if he desired, he Col. Brooks) would
act az administrator in settling up the es-
tate, and forward him the proceeds taking
care TO state, however, that the amount
would probably be very trifing He was
accordingly made administrator, and after
a little time had passed, wrote to Mr. Brig
ham that his son left nothing but gold
watch and clothing, which the administra-
tor thought should be given him, for his
trouble. Knowing nothing Of his sons
business affairs, Mr. Brigham accepted the
statement as true, gave the watch and
clothing, and never realized as much as one
penny from the estate
Thus matters have rested for twenty-six
wears, none Of the heirs for moment
dreaming Of fraud and unfairness, until
about three months since, when Mrs. Holt
and Mrs. Brigham received q letter from
the person who acted az Judge of the Pro-
bate at the time the estate was settled. He
wrote merely to inquire their given names,
as they might be made parties in legal
proceedings in regard to property once be-
longing to Jonas G. Brigham" Their
suspicious were at once aroused, and with
out replying to the letter, a friend was sent
to Detroit 10 quietly search the records,
and obtain an abstract of all property
standing in their brothers name. The in
vesligation revealed the fact that there is
standing upon the records, in the name of
Jonas {. Brigham, one piece of property
IN the heart Of the city, now worth S40,-
GOO nine lots, also in the heart of the city,
worth $500 eighty acres of land, few
miles ont, worth at least $4,000 a store,
house, abd lot, and three acres of land, in
Newport, and iG0 acres of land in Illinois
The total value OF The property is about
$50 00O.
Judge Jones, a. attorney for the heirs,
has been in Detroit for some days, and has
Eritten TO them corroborating the above.
Col. Brooks died ten years since. The adj
ministration has never been completed, and
the gallant Colonel and Judge Of Probate
have been collect ne ;he rents, and enjoying
a good thing. Since the death of the Col
onel, the Judge has had il all his own way.
and his object in visiting the heirs was,
doubtless, TO buy them off for a mere song.
When his term of Office expired, he viola
ted the law by conveying the records in
this case to his home, where they remained
until he was forced to give them up re-
Gently. 1t seems that seven years after
Brigham's death, an individual came for
ward and presented what purPorted to be a
bond for a deed to the property now val
ued at $40. 0G0, but the instrument lacked
seal and witnesses, and the court has per
sisienily refused to issue an order confirm.
ing the title The bond Is believed to be
forgery, and the property will undoubtedly
be divided among the three rIghtful heirs.
Judge Jones is expected home on Saturday
next, when we may learn further pariicu-
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