Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1885-01-15

SUPREME Court DEcIHoNs.-We
have just received news of the tina,
decision in the case of the application
of Miss S. s. Watts for the appoint.
ment of r. c. Orr as the administrator
of the estate of Cyrus Sargent deceased
AS considerable interest has beer
manifested in regard to this matter
and as much has been said and writer
concerning certain parties for theil
actions in regard thereto, and as some
very unfayorable criticism has heen
passed upon the Judge Of the County
Court where this matter was first tried
we have concluded to look the matter
up and lay the facts before our readers
Cyrus Sargent one of the wealthiest
and best known citizens of Grant county,
was accidentally killed at his farm in
Bloomington on the 29th day Of Octo-
Der, 1883. His only heirs were bis
brother Rodney Sargent, residing at
West Point, N. Y, and his niece
Saloma S. Watts, who had for several
years resided with the deceased, but
who at the time of bis death resided at
Lynn, Mass.
Upon hearing the news of her uncle
death Miss Watts came at once to Wis
consin to attend the funeral, but hay
ing met with an accident in which her
leg was broken she was confined to her
bed during the winter.
On the 18th day of Nov, 1888, Miss
Watts filed in the County Court petit
ton praying for the appointment of r.
G. Orr as administrator of her uncle 5
estate, which petition was brought to
hearing before Judge McGonigal on
the 18th day of Dec, 1888. At this trial
Miss Watts appeared by attorney and
Rodney Sargent by M. A. Clark. of
West Point, N. Y, his attorney in
fact and by able counsel. Mr.. Clark
filed certain objections to the appoint
ment of Orr, and also filed the petition
OF Rodney Sargent and his own petition
also praying for his own appointment.
AT this trial which consumed the greater
pait of two days, Judge McGonig al
gave the matter thorough considera-
ton and rendered his judgment APP
pointing Orr as administrator and
ordering him to file bond in the sum
OF one-hundred thousand dollars for
the faithful performance of his duties.
which he at once did. Rodney Sargent
by his attorney in fact Immediately
gave notice of appeal to the Circuit
Court, where the case was again tried
at the last February Term. Hon. w.
+. Carter and Ed. NJ. Lowry appearing
for Miss Watts and Messrs. Bushnell
u Watkins appearing for appellant.
The judgment of the Circuit Court
fully affirmed the judgment of the
County Court.
Rodney Sargent by his attorney in
fact again appealed, taking the case to
the Supreme Court of the state where
the matter was finally argued by the
Hon. A. Il. Bushnell and the Hon. s.
U. Pinney for the appellant and the
Hon. w. E. Carter and Ed. M. Lowry
for Miss Watts.
The Supreme Court has filed its de-
cision affirming the judgments of the
lower courts and the litigation has
ended for the present at least.
Mr.. Orr will doubtless soon enter
upon his duties as administrator. The
long delayed settlement will in due
time be reached, and the property be
assigned TO its rightful owner.
Another decision of considerable
local interest is that in the case of H.
A. w. McNair VS.. j. l.. Rewey, sheriff
The facts in this case are as follows:
A firm doing business in Fennimore
under the firm name of j. L. Hicks &
Co. became involved and made an as
signment to H. A. w. McNair for the
benefit of creditors. Clement, Savers
& Co. and others attached the goods,
claiming that theyibelonged 10 j. t.
Hicks, and not to j. I. Hicks & Co.
McNair brought suit to recover the
goods from the sheriff j. l.. Rewey.
This case was tried at the Sept term of
the Circuit Court, 1888, and decided in
favor of the plaintiff. Defendant APP
pealed the case, and the judgment has
been affirmed by the Supreme Court
decision filed Jan. Is.