The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-07-03
MRS. HARDY PERKINS WILLS
THE CONTEST OYER THE ESTATE OF A
RENOWNED sPIRITUALIsE
Two Husbands R-,resented In the Legal Hat
tie-s5, 900 Civ to One TO Give Place to
Another-A bogus Divorce and Btgnmy.

tfe-S5,OOO CIV IN TO One to Give Place to
Another-A bogus Divorce and Bisnmy.
BosToN. July "A hearing was had in the
Probate Court before Judge McKim. to-day.
upon what IL known as the Hardy-Perkins will
case The facts are these: Ezra @. Perkins. a
contractor formerly residing at Hyde Park.
having lost his first wife. espoused the cause Of
Spiritualism in order to hold sweet communion
with her. and in due course OF time became
attached TO the famous Spritualistic exponent
and medium. Mary NJ. Hardy. who then resided
with herl husband. John Hardy. In Concord
square. Boston. the scene OF many test circles and
the resort OF all classes Of skeptics and believers
About eighteen months ago an arrangement
was made with Mr. Hardy whereby. on tho pay
mcnt Of $4,000. he permitted Mrs. Hardy to OBJ
tain n Western divorce. and soon thereafter she
was married to Ezra G.. Perkins by the Rev. DR..
Van Kleck. then rector Of Christ tEpiscopal)
Church. Hyde Park who officiated at the Lord
Hicks wedding in New York After the wedding
tour Mr. and Mrs. Perkins returned to Concord
square. where the mystic circle was formed
daily and manifestations sought and given In
regular routine. In the Moody and Sankey ex-
element Mrs. Hardy visited the tabernacle on
raw and chilly day and contracted n severe
cold which caused hor death on the 14th Of last
Mrs. Hardy Perkins. as she was called after
her second marriage. was the possessor OF con-
a Will in which. after beaueathing iegacies TO
her fnther, mother. sister. and brother, she left
tne trs residue OF her estate to Ezra g. Perkins;
This will bears the endorsement OF the approval
Of Mr.. Perkins, and was made with his knowl-
edge After the, funeral services over, Mrs.
hear that she had made another will. dated Jan.
l. 1878. in which all OF her real estate was con-
yeyea to her sister oTssS Smith n trust f0T
her personal estate was to he given to my
husband who was also 70 be an executor.
Court. Mr.. Perkins petitioned that the first
VIII be proved. and that he he appointed
Perkins petitioned that the second will be
proved and that orissa be appointed oIecutriI.
A third petition was presented from, John
Perkins was his wife, and that she meant him
when, she left half OF her personal property. to
clared Void and hat. IN accordance s dan % With the
statutes, he be- given all Of tho persona. prop
erty, L either win was 70 be allowed, Hardy
husband" was TO receive one-haif Perkins
as as RersbIse53tly claimed that he WAS
Tie viii was nsU nsSer signed by
Mrs. Hardy Perkins. or. II it was. that Il was
done II a trance ,r and 50 is OF no effect In the
father and mother reside; the house in Concord
$4,000. II is alleged by leading Spritualists
that the spirit Of Mrs Hardy Perkins has ap-
Wills.
Il, the hearing to-day the question OF the
Le Roy Sunderland Of Quincy testified that he
was acquainted with Mrs. Perkins. although he
Mrs. Hardy for thirteen years. He went TO her
house on the ist nf January at her request and
sigped @ az ne wiIl He asked her II i WAS her free
He signed his name rs witness In the presence
Of the other witnesses and in her presence. The
other witnesses signed in his presence and in
her presence, and at her request.
Cross-examined by Mr.. Avery,Didnt put
hSads nan s on MS Perkins when she wa; s
soothe her by the exercise Of my will. Have
bcen practising sort Of psychological control
witness TO counsel. Have ectured on mental
science: practice that as q profession. Have
licved In mcsmerism believe in the science Of
tho human mind by which converted people
SS nsac,ea Tinibisr ste When practice ,Sd as d2ctor
minister. Witness detailed the situation of the
parties and the, ,!circumstances attending the
the ladies sat on the bed with Mrs Hardy and
held her up; have lived alone. and separate
separation. I never had but one wife never
wanted but one"
John Hardy was then called. He testified that
he was married to the deceased woman and
was her husband until another man came into
MS family in that position. In reply to wheth-
said he did not know. He made no objection 10
the arrangement, between Mr.. Perkins and his
Wlle. ne never knew OF any divorce papers.
He had been married three times. the last time
a. little over a year ago. little while
after Mr.. Perkins had married Mrs. Hardy.
tgamist. and did not. think that the
divorce procured by Mrs. Hardy was good for
anything. that IL. at the present time. He did
not authorize any one TO appear for him in tho
proceeding in the. divorce court where the di-
vorce was obtained.
In considering tho issue Of the proper np.
pontment Of executors the Court decided that
Mr.. Hardy was not proper person for such
position. rs he had parted with his wife for a
consideration. Mr.. Perkins was the husband
who would be executor under tho will, and sure
ties would be demanded. An appeal from the
decision will be made.