Evening journal., 1891-09-25
4 MATTER OF MILLIONS.
But Searles Forgot All About
the Transactions.
HIS HOSTILITY TO TIM HOPKINS.

Show That This Enmity Caused searies
70 Use Undue Influence In Getting His
wife to Disinherit Her Adopted Son.
SALEM, Mass, Sept. 25.-At the Searles
will contest Mr. Searles resumed his seat
on the witness stand. He was looking
less buoyant than on the previous day.
His face wore something of an anxious
look, for counsel had been pressing him
Asrd, and his voice was more subdued and
hasitating.
Mr. Searles testified that the mansion at
Great harrington was decided TO him Feb.
~, 1883, although the deed had never been
recorded.
Mr.. Burley asked II the Hopkins palace
In San Francisco had been transferred 60
witness, and Searles replied that he had
no recollection that the palace hBd ever
passed out OF her hands.
Mr.. Burnley remarked, well, guess
eau refresh your memory and at once
submitted deed Of the property in San
Francisco, dated May "a, 1883, transferring
Il to the witness.
He Had Forgotten II.
II had forgotten that Decd said Mr.
Searles. He then went on TO say that he
did not recall several deeds which were
there produced. He remembered signing
lot Of deeds and papers, but could not
recall their contents.
Mr. Burnley then asked witness if he
knew that one of the transfers Of property
included the cemetery in which the re-
mains Of Mark Hopkins, Mrs. Searies first
husband, were inferred. Searles replied
that be did not lie believed the transfers
were being properly made by Mrs Searles'
attorney and could not tell why the deeds
named above were not recorded Mr. Bur
ley then inquired If all Of the unrecorded
transactions made during the absence Of
Searles and his wife in Europe were not
the basis OF consultation with Stillman on
their return to America. and Mr.. Searles
replied that such was the case.
why They Were Not Recorded.
s'Did you not, said Mr. Burley impress
sively, as he turned half around to look
significantly Mt the judge, did you not
understand that the object Of leaving the
transactions unrecorded was for the pur-
pose Of keeping Timothy Hopkins and
&rs Searles' kin ia ignorance OF the Inn
mense property that you were aequirlngf
"Certaiuly not" replied Mr. Searles
quietly, ~ IT.
Then Mr. Buriey whirled around and
rsad the following telegram, which was
sent by Mrs. Hopkins three days before
the marriage was celebrated:
s>Sgs NEW Yonx. Nov. 4 1887
To Timothy Hophinsi
DEAR SIn--The marriage proposed and re.
fused four years ago consummated at u a. m.
Eov. g. II possible Let e. r. seArles and the
bride receive your congratulations. ! do not
@ail before the 10th, NJ. HOPKINS.
The Undue influence charge.
Now they were getting to the point
whore there were to be revelations con
ecrning Timothy Hopkins opposition to
the marriage The point OF undue inau-
snce hinges right here. 1t is admitted
that Timothy opposed the marriage mud
opposed il bitterly. and the claim Is that
Searies 50 resented this action Of Timothy
that he persuaded Mrs. Hopkins-Seares to
disnherit the son. Under the searching
questioning Mr.. Searles went on 20 say he
remembered TO have heard his wife read 4
letter which she sent to Tim in which she
said that she believed that Edward r.
Searles and Sullman & Hubbard were his
fTim's) friends
He had heard before his marriage to
Mrs. Hopkins that Tim had detectives on
ais track. He did not like to learn such a
fact, yet he entertained no i'll feeling
against Tim. He believed the story aud
subsequently had a talk with Timothy in
the presence OF the latter's fostermother
Tim stated he had naer employed de-
fectives in any capacity. but that lac was
f.t Aur
man who was to marry his mother. Searles
told Tim that he had no objection for any
one to fully investigate his character. IA
fact, deemed it periec1ly proper for Tim to
do so.
Hopkins Was Ecmembered.
A will Of Mary r. S Searles, dated Nov
~, 1887, with codicil dated June rs, 1853.
was produced. Witness knew Of the tsitl,
but did not know Of its contents until
since his wife's death.
This viii gave $4,000 TO John HARDWOOD,
former coachman, and tue residue wA-
left ia trust TO Edward II Searles. Timothy
Hopkins and Thomas f. Stillman. To pty
the income in equal shares 20 Edward *
Searles and Timothy Hopkins during their
lifetime. and on their death 70 whonsorsel
they might designate by will. Witness hnd
heard Mrs Searles say that before hci
marriage she bad made previous willis
She had never told witness that she haas
promised her first husband to hold hcl
entire property In trust for Timothy; MOI
that she had promised Timothy's OWL
mother that II she would consent 10 th,
adoption he should have an her property
never heard Mrs Searles say when she hrs
Jaw her little granddaughter. Here come,
the little heiressn
Indifference 70 Millions.
The sensation Of the day was this wit
ness apparent indifference to the transfe
of millions Of property to him by hi
generous bride, through the intervention
OF the accommodating Mr.. Stillman. an,
murmurs Of surprise could be heard whel
he said that he had forgotten about.th
existence OF tho unrecorded deeds in hi
favor II was only after most searchin
questioning by Mr. Burnley that be AZ
lnitted that it was not his understanding
nor the understanding of Mrs. Searle
that the property should pass TO him Il
she deeds were recorded
An ElemsDt OF suspicion.
Another element Of suspicion was tn,
the deeds were all drawn while the parti,
were on their wedding tour in Europe /
Mr.. Stillman, and were signed and eX
cuted in foreign country before gp Anne
ican consul The only excuse offered {,
these acts Of munificence was that NJ
Stillman, acting as Mrs Searlesi attorne
and in her personal interest, thought it a.
Nisabe that she should convey ali her pro
erty TO her husband, who was Mr.. Still
mans old confidential friend and his par
ner IN the combination of experience an