Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1891-09-23
TWAS ALL FOR LOVE
Why Edward Searles Married
Mrs. Mark Hopkins.
MONEY WAS NOT AN INCENTIVE
Interesting Testimony in the Great Will
Contest at Salem.

Mrs. searles, According to a Witness, in
Sound Mind When She Signed the WILL
The Right of Timothy Hopkins to Ap-
pear the Adopted Son Questioned
Other Evidence.
SALEM, Mass, Sep. 23.-At the begin
will case yesterday, all of the contestants
were either present personally or repre-
sented by distinguished counsel.
The first proceedings were the reading
of the petition and will. William w.
Dodge, a witness to the will. testified to
going from Cambridge to Methuen July
16, 1888, and drawing the will, of Mrs
Searles. 1t was read to her, and she
signed it after declaring that it expressed
her wishes. She was to all appearances
of sound mind.
Mr.. Burleigh, of counsel for Timothy
Hopkins, asked that the will of Edward
S. Searles, mentioned as having been
drawn at the same time. be produced.
Incidental to the discussion of this re-
quest Mr.. Lincoln for the executor,
stated that the executor did not concede
the right of Timothy Hopkins to appear
as the adopted son. Mr.. Burleigh re-
peated that both the will and notice re-
cognized the relationship.
Mr.. Burleigh pressed the demand for
Mr.. Searles will and the Court ruled
that it was competent, but declined to
postpone the hearing, directing the eX-
ecutors, however, to produce the will.
Mr.. Burleigh procee led to cross-exam-
inc witnesses, his main point being the
fact tina the name Timothy Hopkins
was written apparently in a different
ink and in blank space left for the
name.
Mr.. Dodge stated that his impression
was that he left the space until he got to
Methuen, as he was not sure whether
there was middle initial.
He had been instructed to draw a will
leaving all the property to Mr. Searles,
and as his duty as IL lawyer required, he
inserted the section regarding the omis-
sion of the name of Timothy Hopkins.
He called the special attention of Mrs.
| Searles to this and told her he could
modify it if she desired, but she stated
that it expires ed her wishes, and it WAS
executed. Witness TOOK it away and
sent it to New York to the executor.
The examination of Edward +. Searles
was then commenced. He first met Mrs.
Hopkins in March, 1888, at San Fran
cisco, going to her house with a letter
| of introduction to look over the house
He then detailed his acquaintance and
visits to Mrs. Hopkins.
The first proposition of marriage be-
tween the two came from Mrs. Hopkins
in New York in 1888. He did not assent tC
| it for a year, but in December, 1884, he
entertained the propositions knew at the
time that Mrs. Hopkins was born in
1920. He delayed accepting the PROPOSE
ton of marriage to give her a chance tC
be sure that she was satisfied, and aftel
he entertained it delayed marriage for
| three years
In the spring of 1886 went to Florida
as the guest of Mrs. Hopkins, in her pri
waite car. He was accompanied by Mis-,
Cass of Great Darlington. Witness
from 1885 to 1897, was experimenting
the building of Mrs. Hopkins house al
Great Darlington. He has understood
that the son Timothy, in connection will
the railroad people, managed her affairs
had been told by Mrs. Hopkins tina
Timothy had objected to the marriage
but had cherished no ill-wiIl toward hin
for it; the agreement of marriage wa:
entered into in September, 1887, on wit
ness part because he greatly admire,
| her.
In reply to question he said that h,
married her for all she had both love ant
money, but should never have marriet
her for money alone. Did not know o
the will made the day of the marriage
| November 8, 1887 until after her death
but did not think it was Intentional,
made behind his back