, 1886-10-31
MISS wIcKEs, WEALTH.



"
The following somewhat romantic tale
is told by a Beverly (Mo } correspondent
Of the Boston GIo5e'
Society in thus own is very much agi-
tated just now over the sensational story
that comes from the West to the effect
that the late Miss Wickes, whose death
was announced from Chicago a few weeks
ago, has left her entire property, mount
ing to several thousand dollars. to a man
named Roye and has disinherit,d her
niece, Mrs George w. Cook, of this
town, in whose favor she had previously
made her will.
A strange story surrounds the lives of
all the parties to this sensation. Mrs.
Cook formerly lived in Chicago. where
she was divorced from her first husband.
A short time after this she joined her
aunt, Miss Wick,s, who then resided in
Lebanon, Pa. and there met Mr.. Cook,
who was a promising young newspaper
nun.
The young couple fell in love with each
other, and were soon aiterward married.
Then they came 10 Beverly, where Cook
obtained employment on the Beverly Git
zen. lie was a very bright Young man.
and became very popular in town. Later
on he bought the Beverly Times. and he
made that paper a very popular and sue
cessful one.
After he became established, Miss
Wickes came here to live with her niece.
She was about IS years Of age, and inves-
ted the most OF her money 10 real estate.
She Their made a will, making Mrs. Cook
her heiress. A short time afterward Roye,
who is a nephew of Miss Wickes by mar
riage, came on from Chicago, and boarded
with MIR. and Mrs. Cook. He made
much of Miss Wickes, and it is alleged
that in that way induced her to loan him
$1,000.
He told n marvellous story Of the great
chance there was to make a fortune in
Chicago in the laundry business, and in
duced Cook. against the wishes OF his
wife, to sell out his newspaper
business and accompany him to
that city. Mrs. Cook and Miss Wickes
also went, but the principal part of the
%latter's money was left in real estate IN
this town. After they had been in Chi
cago some time, an agent OF Miss Wickes
came to Beverly for the purpose of rails
ing some money on that lady property.
He sold a house lot. and then attempted
to negotiate a mortgage on a cottage
house. While negotiations for this trans
action were pending, an uncle Of Cook 5
came to Beverly, saw the attorney who
was engaged on the case, and told him
that Miss Wickes was not in her right
mind, and that she was not capable of
transacting any business. He also ad-
vis,d the attorney to investigate the
agents authority to transact business for
Miss Wickes. The result was that the at
torney withdrew from the case. aud the
mortgage wai not effected.
The agent was persistent, however, and
soon found a party who was willing to as
sumo all risks. The cottage was mort
gagged and the agent returned.
4 few we, Ks ago Mr.. and Mrs. Cook re-
turned to Beverly. Miss Wiekes remain
ing in Chicago with Roye, \ short time
afterward a telegram WA received an
nouncing the death OF Miss Wlckes OF
heart disease. The telegram was follow
ed in a few days by a letter, which an.
nouuced the fact that Miss Wickes haC
made a new will alter the departure .
the Cooks for Beverly, annuling H.
former one, and leaving the entire prop
erty to Ruye.
The new will has been sent on to b'
probated in the court Tor Essex county a
= Salem. On making a search OF the rec
ords deed, were found conveying all he
real estate to Roye, bearing dates a lev
months back.
Mrs Cook her determine
ton Of contesting the will on the groun'
that Mss Wickes was not Of sound mind
aud that undue influence was exerted
The contest promises some sensational lie
velopments. and, if reports are true, vii
disclose some startling features whicl
have not yet been made public.