Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-01-16
NO WILL FOUND.
w. A. Thomss's Estate 20 BE Matter
OF Litigation.

Messrs. W. r. QuarIes and Mann $.
Ouarles, who were on Monday appointed
by Judge Minor, OF the Henrico County
Court, as curators OF the estate OF william A.
Thomas, deceased, having notified all persons
interested, proceeded yesterday morning 10
the presence of the claimxat OF The estate,
Bette T, Lewis, to make a search 10 ascers
tain whether the deceased left q will, and at
the same time TO learn what estate be bad
left.
The curators were accompanied by their
counsel. Mr. Henry g. Cannon; the heirs al
law were represented by their counsel,
Messrs. Guy & Gillian. 3. y. Munford, and
MIR. Miller, OF Dsnville, and the claimant
was attended BY her attorneys, Edgar Alian,
Esq and ex-JudZes George L. Christian ana
Edmund waddill. There were also present
some OF the appraisers appointed by the
Court and some near friends OK the de-
ceased.
SEARCH. But NO WILL
The first search took place IN the counting
room OF Drewry & Co., on south TWeifth
street. where Mr.. Thomas had an iron sale.
Next the residence OF the deceased. in Hen
rico county rear the corporate limits, was
visited and a thorough examination ~ the
premises made: and the last Investigation
was st the Planters National Bank, where
Mr.. Thomas KEEP. in deposit-oox his most
valuable papers
The examination, which was concluded
after 9 O'Clock last night, having occupied
the entire dav. failed 10 reveal any will or
any memorandum Of that character.
THE ESTATE.
The securities, which consist chiefly OF
loans secured by deeds OF trust on real es'
tate, It was lesrned, aggregate about $780,
OOO Besides these the deceased left real es-
tate. the value Of which has not yet been as
certsined but which will probably realize
some $4,000 or 100000 In addition TO tbs
there Is deposited in bank some $4,000 or
800. 600 in money, making the aggregate
value Of the estate about quarter OF nil
lion.
WILL CONTEST,
Counsel for the natural child OF the de-
ceased yesterday served on the curators q
written notice that while they would peace
fully surrender the property, they neither
waived the right 10 the keys held by their
client, nor did she in the slightest degree
waive her clam Of right to the possession
and title Of the property.
TIE DAUGHTER AND HER CLAIMS.
Bette r. Lewis, the claimant, is natural
child OF Dir. Thomas. but her m0tner Is not
a white woman, though she (Bethe) could
probably often pass for white person. she
has been married for several years TO col
ored man named Lewis, who came here from
the North and now keeps drugstore on
| Leigh street near Adams.
AS stated Yesterday, she claims that on bis
death-bed be presented her his keys to his
| bank vault, his safe, and desk, sud handed
her his bank book, and stated that be then
and there gave her with them all Of the vaua-
bles In the several repositories. She says that
on a former occasion when he was sick and
| thought he would probably die he banded
her 1000, which he had ia cash, and after
be got we'll she deposited the money In bank
| to his credit.
| TUE CASE.
| This Is a novel case and every stage OF II
will attract attention. There is brilliant
array OF counsel on each side and the light
promises TO be one Of great interest.