Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-09-30
ECCENTRIC REQUESTS
Lately Made by Massachusetts
Millionaire.
Only Fifty Thousand Out Of Two Million Dol
lars Left to the Wife-General Curtis,
thelndian Fighter, Comes in tor
a Small Share.
NOTABLE EVENTS OF YESTERDAY.

BosroN, September pa week ago last
Saturday, Nelson Curtis, one OF the wealth
lest citizens of Boston, died at his residence
in Boston Highlands, leaving an estate
yariously estimated at from 81. 25O, 600 TO
s., 900, 900. He was a self-made man. Over
fifty years ago he came to this city on foot
from one of the inland towns of Massachus-
etts, a poor, almost friendless boy. de
first obtained employment as mason's as
sistant, but he soon evinced extraordinary
shrewdness, business capacity and enter
prise. At the age Of eighteen he left other
people of less natural ability to "a
Carry Mortar and Lay Bricks,
and with financial backing from q we'll
known business man, who bad becone IN,
terested in him, he undertook large ana
profitable building contract. This was the
initial step of a business career tnat
amassed great fortune. Mr.. curtis De-
came one of the best known builders In
Boston. Great clusters of buildings erect
ed by him adorn every part 9f the city. de
was the contractor for the Boston Museum,
the Fitchburg railroad depot, the United
States Hotel, and about half the Catnohc
churches in Boston. The great possessions
of the best paving class. OF late years he
has also been heavily interested in certain
valuable stocks, particularly those OF the
Boston and Albany railroad. He was q
shrewd, money getting man TO the last.
Disappointed Heirs.
His funeral service took place on the
Tuesday following his death and in the al
ternoon of that day the provisions OF his
will were made known. The disposition OF
his vast property was surprise and dis
appointment to the majority of his rela-
tiiyes. To his wife, Mary Z. Curtis, he be-
oueathed only his household estate and
the income Of $4,000, to revert on her
decease to Nelson Curtis, the son OF his
brother George To his several sisters and
brothers, excepting George, and to their
children, he made com paratively small be.
quests of few thousand dollars each, in
Guiding one of five thousand dollars
to Gen. Nelson A. Curtis, the
Celebrated Indian Fighter.
1t is to his brother George Curtis that the
great bulk of his property, amounting to at
least 81 go OO0 is beQueathed. George
Curtis and Solomon A. Bolster, an attorney,
are made executors and trustees without
bond, In view of all these facts great dis
satisfaction exists among all the heirs, with
the exception of those belonging to the
George Curtis branch of the family. A
strenuous attempt will be made to break
the will, on the ground Of undue influence,
alleged to have been eXerted by George Cur
lis and Soloman A. Bolster. The will is
dated April Is, 1876, with codicil strength
ening the authority of Curtis and Bolster
dated July -, 1873. The fact that the
testament has been of so long standing may
prove bar to its overthrow.
AFayorite Niece Overlooked.
Mr.. Curtis had niece who resided with
him and who was 10 him more like
daughter To her he left only five thousand
dollars She has been aware. of the pro-
visions Of the will for several years, but was
informed by her uncle at one time that
they were to be materially changed. In
deed, it is said that the deceased himself
was uneasy about the disposition OF his
| property, and shortly before his death, he
| declared that he would not be surprised IN
| the least if the will should be contested in
| the courts.
Ii is stated that for number of years
| past the chief beneficiary, who is we'll
known lumber merchant and ex-alderman
of this city, has been in close confidential
relations with the millionaire, and that he
and Mr.. Bolster together have practically
managed his affairs For the past five
years Nelson Curtis has been in failing
| health, having suffered two strokes of
paralysis. Still, with the exception OF one
or two brief intervals, he was believed to
have retained full possession of his facul'
ties. The matter comes up for hearing
before Judge Mckim in the Probate Court,
| October g.