Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-07-09
A Fight for n militia,


The contest over the estate OF the late G,,-se
hsroln, which has occupied the attention On
S1rrogste Hutchings for over SIX months, anf
attention, drawn 20 Close before
Hutchtngs on Tuesday.
In December last George Hardin who haB
net ehgaged IN the business OF importing Irish
nnen Tor over quarter OF a century. and who
bad accumulated fortune Of over 4 million ~
collars, died ~ his residence on Carneta street
hAToin had never become a citizen OF this
country, although living In the city tor over
forty years. All his property wss in bonds
stocks, mortgages, bank books. Sc his an !,
resl estate being the house in which be lived.
shortly after his death his hOusskceper calling
herself Mrs. Elizabeth Hardin. and clam ny ~
be the widow OF the deceased. spplied thrnr, 81
her lawyer 10 Surrogate Hutclings tor letters
OF administration on Mr.. Hardin's estate. The
news OF MIR. Hardin's death reached his reIa-
yves IN ireland, and a half brother, armed
WIN proofs d identity and powers Of attorney
nom the other relstiyes, arrived in time 20 pu.
IN bis objection "a letters OF afrnipfsfrs.',r
oeing granted 20 " Mrs. n srdin.- The grourd
OF objection was that 4" Mrs Hardin" was ,,os
tbe WIDOW OF the deceased. he never lawns
been married, but only his housekeapsr anS
consequently not entitled % letters OF So
mlnihtTation or 10 any portion OF the estate
a an Sio lny stefan, who was tor some time Mr.
hAfdln1s FAMILY doctor, testified that while a.
thelr house one evening the deceased took A
ring ard put IL on Mrs. Hardin's" ringer ana
, ,sa, 70 witness, 81 want you to bear witness
he case for the Irish relatives looked weak
and might have fallen to the ground buf for TIE
discovery OF 3 man named Robert Walker in
the almshouse on one Of the islands. Walker
heard OF the case and sent word % the con-
testants that he could give most important tasti-
mony In their favor; lie wss brought from
the island and astOnished the court and ssNrs
hardln's' counsel by declaring himself the
lawful husband OF the woman who claimed 10
be the widow OF George Hardin, and related an
extraordinary story of the marriage. An old
lady, Mrs. Thompson, ninety-two wears of
age, subsequently testified that she knew Mrs
walker, and saw her afterwards a. Hardin's
housekeeper, and that Hardin told her Robert
Walker had been at his store on Broad street
snd wanted money from him on account OF his
lWslkers) wife being MIR. Hardin's house,
keeper, and that he had put him out aud or
After Walker turned up 50 unexpectedly,
mrs. Hardin" did not appear In court. She
was eubpUnaed 10 appear in court on Tuesday.
walker was present early, and seemed 20 be
eiated Al the expectation OF seeing Mrs. Walker.
The latter, dressed IN deep mourning, and wear
ing heavy black veil, appeared in court and
was placed on the witness stand. Walker sat
directly opposite her, but she gave him no token
OF recognition, nor did she manifest the slight
eet emotion or nervousness. She WAS asked
some questions touching her marriage with n ar
din, and stated that she hsd heard and believed
before marrying Hardin that Walker was dead.
Judge Porter, counsel for "Mrs. Hardin" then
proceeded TO sum up. He cOntended that the
marriage with Hardin was legal. even admit
ting the person present was Robert Walker. the
first husband Of Mrs. Hardin on the ground of
long absence and the report of bis death. He
quoted the statutes on the subiect. aud adduced
q number of preceden's in similar cases. COun-
sci for the heirs at-lsw denied any marriage
with Hardin, OF which he claimed that no proof
whatever bad been given, except the m ere word
OF "MIs Hardin" who had no certiacats 10
show, and who could not even tell the name of
the clergyman or the church. Surrogate Hutch
ings reserved decisiOn.-N. 4. rUTrss. 4fh.