Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-05-26
The ESTATE OF ". A. THOMAS.
Answer Of the Administrator 10 Ret
tie LeWIs's Petition.

Answer Of the Administrator 10 Ret
tie LewIs's Petition.
Yesterday Major Leigh r. Page. admins
traitor for the estate OF the hate William a.
Thomas. filed with the clerk Of the Chancery
Court his answer 10 the bill exhibited some
months ago by Bette Lewis and her husband
against Mann 5. aud w. r. Q%usIles, c%urators
Of the said Thomas estate.
THE HISTORY.
on the 4th OF last January Mr.. william A..
Thomas, a wealthy old gentleman, died at
his residence, near the Hartshorn- Memorial
College. HIS estate was valued at about
$22L000, and consisted chiefly OF personal
property. No will was found among the
papers OF deceased, but Bette Thomas Lewis,
a natural daughter, claimed the bulk OF the
estate by giit d0HGtio norris cdHsd.
Messrs. w. r. and Mann s. Quarles were
appointed by Judge Minor, OF llenrico
County Court, ouraiors OF the estate; aud
later, upon the motion OF the heirs at law
OF deceased, Msior Page was appointed adj
ministrator.
Counsel for BEETLE Lewis applied to Judge
Fitzhugh to appoint = receiver. This was
| refused at first, but the Judge finally grant
ed a rehearIng and appointed Mr.. y. W.
Bowe and Captain John a. Coke Joint re-
ceiyers.
THE COUNSEL
In this litigation the heirs at law are repre-
scented by Messrs. Staples & Mumtord,
Guy and Gillian, and Green a Green, the
latter firm Of DAnyiile. The counsel for
Bette Lewis are Messrs. Edgar Allan, Ed
mund Waddill. Jr., Christian & Christian,
W. w. Gordon, and L. {. Burks, the latter
late q Judge OF the Court OF Appeals.
The bill Of Bette Lewis was filed with the
Court several months ago, and in IL reasons
were given for claiming the bulk Of
Thomas property.
DEFENDANTS ANSWER.
Major Page, in bis answer to the same
filed yesterday, admits that BEETLE Lewis is
an i~llegitimate daughter Of Thomas and was
regarded by deceased IA such, but defendant
does not admit, for want Of information, that
she is The only living child.
THE PLAINTIFF.
The defendant admits that plaintiff w9s
born In pittsyiyania county, but claims that
she Ia nearer forty years OF age than thirty
five, rs attributed TO her in her bill. He de-
MES that plaintiff lived with deceased fol-
twenty years, aud believes 1t untrue that she
presided over the family table during that OF
any portion Of that period.
Defendant AYERS that while deceased was
very indulgent be did not provide for every
want Of Bette and did not grant her every
luxury In living.
THE HOUSE AND LOT.
He believes that Thomas intended to give
! plaintiff the house and lots claimed, but de-
mes that the first lot was not conveyed tc
BETTE because OF a misunderstanding on
tho part OF the agent. The let's were
bought at different times, and defendant
admits that when the last deed was presented
TO Thomas he expressed surprise to the
agent that the deed was not made TO Bette,
and defendant believes that interstate con-
suited with counsel on the day Of his death
In regard 10 conveying the property to plain
tif.
Defendant denies that deceased authorized
4 builder 10 erect q house at Bettie's wishes,
but, on the CONTRARY, Thona as superintended
' the matter himself, and was very economical
In building and furnishing the same.
wHkRE SILENT.
Defendant admits that deceased did speak
to a distinguished Gentleman about acting a,
trustee for plaintiff, but denies that any larg,
amount OF property mas intended TO be con.
yeyed TO her. He tlhs attention TO the fac
that while plaintiffs bill sbounds In the In
significant details a. 10 the death OF deceased
there 10 q marked silence as TO the hour o.
death. the persons present and the circum'