Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-09-25
STEWARDS MONEY.
Anothet Grab for the Dead
Mans Millions.
GEN. BUTLER HAS NEW EVIDENCE.

Some Alleged Irish Heirs VINO Want a
Chance tn Prove Their Relationship
Few Facts That il Proved Put Judge
Hilton in IA BAD Position and Cast a
Cloud ON the Memory of Mrs A L. Stew
art.
NEW YORK Sept. 25-Is the will of the
late dry goods merchant, Alexander II.
Stewart to be broken? Gen. Benjamin
+. Butler and Lawyer William H. Secor
claim that they have documentary evil
dence in their possession that will legally
nullify the will. The case of Sarah Bra
nagh, of Lisburn, Ireland, who claims to
be the nearest blood relative of A. L.
Stewart, against w P Smith. "a coiored
coachman of the late Mrs Stewart, came.
up before Judge Lacombe in the Unitep
states cir cult court yesterday, and sur
prising facts were elected COsehman
Smith was left IA valuable house at ID
West Thirty fifth street by Mrs. Stewart.
Sarah Branagh brought suit several years
ago for ejectment against him on the
ground that she was legally heir to the
property.
Must Prove Their II relationship
Different LAWYERS have been trying to
have commission appointed to go to
Ireland and examine certain witnesses as
TO the kindred of A. II. Stewart
and Mrs. Branagh's claim that she
was blood relative of Stewart.
Certain interrosatories which the com
plainants' lawyers have prepared to be
asked foreign witnesses have been repeat
eddy thrown out by both Judges Wallace
and Lacombe on the ground that the an
swers to them could not be submitted to a
jury To prove pedigree unless it could be
proved that the plaintiffs had evidence in
their possession to show that they were
the blood relatives they claimed to be-
Buffers Startling Assertion.
Il wish to ask you, Gen. Butler" said
the court yesterday, whether you have
evidence in your possession sufficient to
justify foundation for these lnterroga-
lions, or are you hoping to gain such evil
dence hereafterf'
Il will state fully and frankly to the
court, said Mr. Butler. "that have such
evidence III my possession. | have known
OF cases where witnesses have been bribed
tates are held by fraud and wrong This
happens to be case wherein | have now
in my pocket evidence which no one can
get unless they can bride me- That |
don't think ans one will ever do"
Letters from A. L. Stewart.
~ have in that little satchel lying there
on the table lett RS from A T. Stewart, in
his own handwriting, recognizing these
witnesses in ireland as his relatives.
don't think that any one will be able to
get these letters away from me- 1 have
proof IN various ways of this relationship
to Mr.. Stewart, but | can't trace it fully"
"That's all | want to know, general"
said the judge. Your assurance that you
have such evidence is enough" Gen But
Ter then stated for the benefit of Judge
Russell that he would prove that Judge
Hilton and Mr.. and Mrs. Stewart had Wis
tied some of these relatives in Ireland
Living Witnesses To BE Presented.
Gen. Butler said that he did not pro-
pose to have the commission go over any
part of the world, except Ireland to find
out from competent witnesses how many
of Mr.. Stewards heirs are alive. They in
tended, he said, to have couple of very
old persons on the stand soon to prove
that many of the heirs are very much
alive Judge Lacombe took the papers in
the case and reserved his decision rs to
the form of interrogator;es he would al
low to be asked by the commission
Was Perjury Committede
Gen. Butler SAID last night that the let
tiers would cause some interesting read
ing The letters had come into his pos
session within "A month. The night Mr.
Stewart died Mr.. Secor said Judge Hill
ton drew up IA petition to have his will
proved and prObated. Both Judge Hill
ton and Mrs. Stewart, he said swore to an
affidavit stating that Mr. Stewart had not
blood relative then living on the earth.
The will was then Immediately probated