St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-07-26
A FIGHT TO A FINISH.
One Among. the Heirs of A. j..
Davis, MOntana's CrOesus.

One Among. the Heirs of A. j.
Davis, Montana's CrOesus.
Special to the Globe.
BUTTE, Mont, July 25.-When A. j.
Davis, MOntana's richest millionaire,
died last February, his heirs, by the
score, came focklng to Butte. The
Judges enormous wealth was estimated
variOusly at from seven to eight millions
of dollars. Nobody knew exactly how
much it was. When it became known
that the judge, owing to weakness OF
intellect in the last few months of his
life. had not been able to make will,
no little excitement was aroused. The
Judge had never married, but his broth
ers and sisters mad, so that the influx of
heirs and claimants raised Butte'S pop
ulation immensely for few months.
They came from Connecticut, Massa-
chusetts, New York. Illinois, Iowa and
California. and when several claimants
appeared in court and applied for ap-
pOintment as administrator surprises
followed each oJher in startling success
sion. Besides the known heirs there
appeared Thomas Jefferson Davis, who
claimed to be son of Judge Davis,
and representatives also appeared
for an alleged daughter, also lllegiti-
mate. Lawyers f10cked to Butte in
greater number than the heirs, and
during the hearing of the case the court
house was crowded. Decision was at
length given in favor of John A. Davis.
of Butte, formerly of Illinois, brother of
the deceased, and he was appointed
administrator. Appeal was taken to
the supreme court at Helena, and dur
4, II fI,no h hoo
heard in that city. But proceedings at
ceedingS heretofore rendered useless by
the finding of will. 1t was thunder
bolt in the camp of the scores of heirs
and lawyers. This, too. was filed in the
interests of John A. Davis, and it is
said that the drift of proceedings i'll
Helena hastened the production of the
will. The will is old and musty, and ac-
cording to its date was made on April
10, 1866 AS to its history, the multi
tudinOus lawyers of John A. Davis are
very reticent. That it had been made a
quarter of a century ago was we'll known
of course to John A. Davis, but where
it had been kept could not be learned.
Since Judge Davis death continual
search has been kept up for it, and two
weeks ago, in an old desk in Van
Buren county, Iowa, laid away with in
Vulnerable musty and dilapitated docu-
ments, the will long sought for was
found. 1t IS dim with age, but is not
worn by use, and is easily decipherable.
1t leaves the bulk of the wealth to John
A. Davis, with simply life annuity to
Thomas Jefferson, the illegitimate son,
Pet Davis, the illegitimate daughter,
and Miss Bergett, mother of Pet Davis,
all of whom were then residents of Van
Buren, county, Iowa. The executors
mentioned were James Davis and job
Davis, both of whom are now dead.
Thomas Jefferson Davis still resides in
Selma, Van Buren county, 10. Pet, the
illegitimate daughter, is now dead.
Caroline Bergett, the mother, has since
married to one Smith, and her where
aboutS is unknown. She is known to
have lived in Goensville, Tex. The
will was brought to Butte by special
messenger as fast as steam could bring
him. The will, after being exhibited in
court, was, by the courts order. placed
in bank vault, and no one can see it
except by order of the court and in COM
pany with the clerk of the court. The
will will be strongly contested. On its
strength, John A. Davis petitions that
the will be admitted to probate, and
that letters of administration be granted
the petitioners. This matter will be
heard Aug. s.