The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-10-11
A BOSTON CONTESTED WILL CASE.
1t Reads Like Romance in Sensational
Story-Paper.

STORY apers
Springfield Republican.
The settlement of the estate of the Boston
ship merchant Thacher Magoun who died last
year reveals a remarkable condition of things in
the domestic establishment of one of Bostons
older families. The children of Mr.. 1lagoun
are contesting the will upon the usual ground
of unsound mind and undue influence We are
threatened with the condition of things where
the possession of property at death and the
making of a will are to be considered prima
facie evidence of insanity If these will
tests continue, the courts will be driven to make
a rule of this sort in order to clear off their
dockets The Magoun case turns upon the Is
sue whether man who estranges his children
bv stepping over the bounds of social custom
can be in his right mind
Mr. Magoun was a successful man of business.
He made money for himself and joined his child
rem with him in business as they grew up He
built a fine residence at Medford furnished it
artstically, entertained generously and was
courtly man of the od-school in general bear
ing But he had his Affections Mrs. Magoun's
health failed and finally she lost her reason.
The second step in this domestic drama was the
employment of Miss Margaret OHare as wait
ress in the Magoun establishment This seemed
but common place circumstance, but it did not
so prove. Miss OHare, who was born in Ireland
and had worked out some, was person of adj
dress, and she won Mr.. Magoun's regard by her
devotion to his invalid wife. In due time the lat
ter was removed to an asylum, and Margaret
OHare promoted to the position of house
keeper. Nay, more than tiIat. Mr. Magoun, not
caring to dine alone-for his grown-up children
had families of their own-asked Miss O'Hare
to sit at the head of the table. To say that she
was surprised is only saying that she we'll
trained servant. She hesitated, Nagoun insisted,
and she yielded. This was in 1860 From this
point the evidence in the case is conflicting
That the children were very much panied there
is no doubt: but they claim that they obeYed
their father and paid due respect to Miss O'Hare
as the head of their fathers establishment.
| This Mr.. Magoun in his letters bitterly denied.
He claimed that there conspiracy to drive
Miss O'Hare out of the house. Stories were also
circulated as TO the private relations between
the father and his housekeeper. To meet this
condition of things Mr.. Magoun took the extra
ordinary course of adopting Miss OI1are as his
daughter. by which the kitchen girl finally
gained a legal victory over a high strung and
pround family of children and prospective
heirs.
Meantime Mrs. Magoun died in the asylum,
and the children paid such attention to the
daughter as they compelled to. When
Margaret O'Hare Magoun called care was
taken not to expose to the servants their moIti-
ication at having to receive an exalted domes-
tic, and the children also bore IN silence the
anguish of seeing the daughter wearing their
dead mothers silk dresses and riding cloal.
Wien Margaret went to church diplomatic son
would offer her his arm. When the family Wis
tied Saratoga, diplomatic son would also SEQ
her out to dinner. Occasionally one of the fam
lily was entrapped into a carriage ride with Miss
| O'Hare and sometimes the young ladies' would
meet her accidentally upon the street and feel
| compelled to recognize her
! In the ordinary course of nature Mr.. Magoun
died, and it was found that all his property was
left to the adopted daughter. Miss Margaret
O'Hare Magoun She now occupies the old
residence, collects the dividends upon his bonds
and stocks and appears to be perfectly con
tented with her lot The present suit before
! Judge Colburn is instituted by the children Ia
order to set aside the will, upon the ground
! that Mr.. Magoun was crazy after the deatA oil
! his wife.