The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-04-08
IT WAS AN BRRoR.
The Estate Of the Late Abner III. Brown Not
so Large Generally Reported

The Estats of the Late Abner III. Brown Not
Large n Generally Reported
DELPHI March 31.-[Special. IA spe-
cial in THE SENTINEL recently from this
place in reference to the estate of Abner
Il. Bowen conveyed an improper i'm
preston OF the facts. There has been no
evidence leading to the conclusion that
the deceased left a for tune. mostly in per-
sonal property, of So 600. The deceased
left large amount OF real property, the
value OF which has not been given to the
public. Nor has an inventory been taken
by the administrator showing a large
amount of personal estate. The figures
given in the dispatch were imaginary.
The mortgage records show a large amount
of money at interest. very much of which
has been paid. but the mortgage records
were not satisfied by the deceased, hence
large number Of suits are being brought
by the administrator on the face of the
mortgages as recorded. Notes which have
been fully paid more than ten
years ago are now being sued
upon, the facts of which were well
known 10 the administrator before suit
was brought, but the fact OF the mortgage
records being unsatisfied and a c.oud
resting on the title to the lands, justifes
the proceedings. But at this point the
heirs OF the estate claim to be the owners
of all the notes and mortgages owned by
Mr.. Bowen at the time of his death, by
gift few days before his death. and they
claim that a division among them has
been made, hence they are resisting the
collection by the administrator in his
suits and the question of the ownership OF
the notes has not been determined.
About two years ago the county commits
sioners entered with contract with three
attorneys twho are also attorneys of the
administrator to ferret out property
which had not been listed, and for their
services to receive a sum equal to % per
cent. ofthe amount collected. Pursuant to
said contract they have lodged with the
county auditor a statement OF unlisted
property running back to 1881. alleged not
not to have been given
in TO the assessor by Mr.. Bowen
aggregating S2,OOO.O 00-and the admin
istrator notified to show cause why
the same should not be placed on the du-
plicate. The writer of the dispatch referred
TO may have avenues of information
which will justify the statement that the
heirs packed up their possessions in
trunks, boxes, etc, and fled into other
states, but if he has, he is the only person
outside of the family so favored. A
thousand rumors have been ahoat ever
since the death of Mr. Bowen, but moth.
ing reliable came out of them. The
amount OF money taken away, if any, is
unknown except to the heirs, and as to
the changing of their residence this is 9
mere presumption. If the heirs are the
the owners OF the property in
dispute. it is theirs TO do with as they
like. If the property belongs to the estate
especially the evidences of debt. the adj
ministrator lis entitled to it. If the tax
claim is a just and legal one, the admin
istrator OF the same can resort to real
property to raise funds, if not sufficient il
personality comes into his hands. Out
side Of the tax claim the debts are small
against the estate, and if the tax claim il
unfounded and uncollectable at law, the
duties OF the administrator are about a
an end. When the question of the owner
ship Of the notes and mortgagesi is settled
the real amount of unpaid notes will bt
shown and a little idea of the value of the
estate will be known. 1t can safely bC
said that the proceedings of administra
ton will never reveal the worth of the es
tate. Confidence in the financial abili
ty of the bank is unlimited.