Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-06-19


An Atlanta special has the following: 'The
shorter will case was under argument for new
trial here to-day before Judge Stewart, who
mas reserved decision until Saturday. There is
more money involved in this case than any
other, except the will Of Mary Telfair, which the
lawyers tried SO hard to break up. The Shorter
family is one Of wide relationship both in Geor-
gia and Alabama, Ell Shorter having been gov.
ernor OF the latter state. Alfred Shorter, whose
Will is in dispute, was born in Wilkes county, in
1SS when six years old his mother died. and
ne went to live with his grandfather. His father
married again, and had several children BY his
second wife When Alfred Shorter began life for
himself, he went to Monticello, where he was
employed by Mr. Baldwin, leading merchant,
and was taken into partnership. The firm pros
pered. and in its profits was laid the foundation
OF what afterwards became the princely Shorter
fortune. Baldwin died. and the business was
continued by Shorter as the surviving partner
the widow retaining her husbands interest
Finally Shorter married Mrs. Baldwin. They
lived near her. They were Mrs. Harper and
Mrs. Cooley. both blessed with offspring The
, families were intimate, and Mr.. Shorter saw a
great deal of his wife's nieces and nephews.
Thirty five years ago Harper, shorter's brother
was not long before Shorter went to FLOYD
county also. He invested largely in real estate
ana mines, and was one Of the projectors of the
Rome railroad, and was largely engaged in
banking. Cooley and Harper died. and Shorter
administered on their estates. Their children
lived near him. and for many years some of
Harpers children were a part of his family
Shorter rapidly grew from prosperous into q
wealthy man. Eight years ago his wife died,
and about the same time he founded Shorter
college. His first gift was $40. 600, but he fur
nished the Institution with all It's buildings and
appliances which cost, besides this gift. sI35 OOO
In his will $40 600 more was given to the school.
" lad ,fFf
the education Of the women of Georgia Last
July he died, in his eightieth year. He left
will In his own handwriting. The bulk of his
property he left to the Cooley and Harper chill
dren, his residence going to the Beeland chill
dren, the offspring of a sister of the deceased
man. and to Shorter college. When the will
was offered foi probate caveat was filed by the
children of the lalf brothers and sisters of Shor-
ter The ordinary of Floyd county probated the
will over the caveat. An appeal was taken, and
the case was called at the March term and
eleven days were occupied in its hearing. The
jury sustained the will. Counsel moved for q
new trial. This motion was called before Judge
Stewart yesterday afternoon at o'clock.
The value of the estate is hard to determine.
as it Is in stocks, railroad property. and mining
enterprises There was not q work of Internal
improvement in the state in which Shorter was
not interested. Good Judges say that the value
of the estate is fully 81 600 600. In It's distribu-
ton by the will the Cooley children received
about 100000, the Harper children, except
Mrs. Hamilton, about $50. 900, Beeland heirs
30 900 Shorter College S45. 900 and Mrs. Ham
iltOn $780, 900. The caveators are T. B. Burge.
James Truitt, Nathan Truitt, Mrs. Priddy and
the heirs of Henry A. Shorter in Arkansas Some
contest was made by the Beeland children be-
cause Of an alleged change of their bequest
from $75, 900 to $40 ,00O The grounds of the con-
tests are that Shorter was unduly Influenced in
making his will by Mr.. and Mrs. Hamilton, and
also that in writing and putting the will to-
gether some of the pages were SO misnumbered
as to make the document invalid