Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-10-23
THE BIG WILL SUIT
1t Goes Merrily On at Salem,
Mass.
T1MMY AS A BUSINESS MAN.
The Diary of Mrs. Searles offered and
Read in Evidence.

searles Was Worth $4,000 Before He
Married Mrs. Hopkins-The European
Trip Cost 800, OOO-Tim Was offered
More Than S., 900, 900 if He Would Dis
continue the Suit--Interesting Evidence
in the Big Fight for Millions.
SALEM, Mass, Oct. 23.-In the second
days trial in the renewal of the Hop
s-Searles will contest several letters
were read by Mr.. Wilson, one under
date of Oct. II, 1887, from Mrs. Hop
kins to Huntington, to the effect that
she must repudiate the agreement
signed by Tim, as she was not aware of
its purport.
Other letters followed, giving in de-
tail other business relations existing be-
tween Mrs. Hopkins, Cyrus Field, Hunt
ington and others.
Numerous kilograms relating to Tins
business transactions on the Pacific
slope were to the effect that Lawyer
L. f. Stillman was jealous of what was
being done, and urging Edward F.
Scar es to adopt different business ar
rangenents.
Timothy Hopkins, at that time was
vested with the power of attorney to
look after Mrs. Hopkins financial in
terests in California, and, according to
Stlllman and his advisers, Tim was
working against Searles and in the in
terest of the Pacific slope railroad kings
Mr. Wilson read kilograms and letters
from Mr.. Searles to Mr.. Stillman, re-
questing that he deposit to his account
| $780, 900, $50, 900 and various sums at
various times.
| One of the letters developed the fact
that Searles called his residence in Me-
thuen "Pine Lodge"
Next followed the reading of letters
pertaining to the marriage of Searles to
| Mrs. Hopkins and the drawing of 500,
900 to defray the expenses of the we'd
ding trip to Europe
July %, 1890, Searles notified Stillman
to send Tim Hopkins So, 900, as the latter
was running the estate at Menlo Park,
! California, at great loss, and Mrs.
Searles thought he should give it up if
he couldn't escape running in debt.
Mrs. Searles' diary, which the lady
kept during her two trips abroad in 1887
and 1888, was then introduced and read.
The first entry was dated November 8
and read: married at Trinity Chapel
at H." The book contained mostly per-
sonal matters and descriptions of the
trip. Under date of January II, 1888,
this entry occurs: IT thought myself of
econdary consideration and, expressing
No. l."
William w. Dodge was called, when
the reading of the diary had been com
pleted, and said the phraseology of the
will was his own and was not suggested
by anyone else.
Mr.. Searles was then called by Mr.
Lincoln in rebuttal. He testified that
when he left Herter Bros. in 1882 he was
worth from 800, 900 to $3.50, 900. He had
left business on account of his health.
The firm had done work on the Hopkins
mansion in California and as he was go
ing West he got letter of introduce
ton SO that he could inspect the house.
He visited the place and presented the
letter and was invited by Timothy Hop
kins to dine with the family that even
ing.
The next day he went and inspected
the house. He met the family subse-
quently several times and again dined
with them.
Mr.. Searles said he had known Mr.
Stillman fifteen years previous to this
but had seen very little of him for few
years past. He had never, up to Octo
Der, 1887, mentioned Mrs. Hopkins af
fairs to him.
Continuing, Mr.. Searles said he wen
60 Great Darlington in 1883 to meet Mrs
Hopkins. He registered at the Berk.
shire House. Soon after servant came
and said Mrs Hopkins expected him al
the house. He told the servant hi
would remain where he was, but while
he was at supper the servant took his
lugg age to her house without his know
ledge, The servant was Carlyle Dennis
Mr.. Burley remarked: ''That is the
man who committed suicide' Mr.
Searles said that Mrs. Hopkins de
cided to have him build house for her
He supposed he would be paid as usual
but learned later that he was not. &c
thought I would be paid in the END
some way" said the witness.
Now that it is definitely known tina
the case will not be settled outside o
the courts, all efforts at a compromis'
having failed, it is interesting to know
that the amount offered to Timothy
, Hopkins to withdraw his claim upon thu
estate of Mrs. Searles was more thar
} So, 900, 900. The amount at stake in tn
contest, instead of being from $40, 900,
900 to $40, 900, 900, as has been stated, i
more than $50, 100000.
Mr.. Searles is determined to sustain
his part of the battle with all the powe
that a practically unlimited amount o
! money and the skill it can purchase cal
furnish him.
!, On the other hand, Timothy Hopkin
l will do all that he can to break the will
And to this end he has received offer
| from numerous friends of the f1nancia
means he may need to successfully con
duct the case.