The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-09-13

the same influence TO keep him out of his
rightful inheritance. Timothy Hopkins
will also try to prove that during her last
illness Mrs. Hopkins-Searles was isolated
from her friends and relations. and that Mr..
Searles stood guard over her day and night
until she died.
This spiritualistic phase of her life, and
the fact that she was brought under its
control by Mr.. Searles is the basis OF the
charge Of undue influence. 1t will also be
urged that, as Mrs. Hopkins became 80
easily converted in her old age. II should be
proof positive she was of unsound mind.
IL has been stated that no attempts have
yet been made toward settlement Of the
contest, but it is now positively known that
the account published in the World Of the
negotiations between the attorneys on both
sides was true in every important particu-
lar The negotiations were opened BY Rus
sell Wilson, Mr.. Hopkins California lawyer.
He called on Messrs. Stillman
and Hubbard, attorneys for Mr. Searles
and managers Of the estate, aud they
officially told them of Mr.. Hopkins inten-
ton to contest the will. Mr.. Wilson wished
60 know what sort or proposition Mr..
Searles would like to make toward a settle
ment of his clients claim. Mr.. Stllman re-
piled that Mr.. Searles had never desired to
ignore Mr.. Hopkins On the contrary, NJ.
Searles had spoken of liberal settlement,
and the attorney said be was satified that
! an amicable arrangement could be reached
without recourse to the courts.
Nothing further was done until Mr. Hop
| kins arrived. Then Mr.. Wilson ard his as
sociate counsel, Judge Boalt. were informed
| by Messrs. Stillman and Hubbard that Mr..
| Searles was willing TO give MIR. Hopkins
| IS, $50, 900 Ia full settlement OF his claims.
When the amount was mentioned both Of
the California lawyers looked surprised,
and then returned to the Hotel Brunswick
to repeat the proposition to their client.
| The next day they told Messrs. Stillmau
and Hubbard thai Mr.. Hopkins would not
| even consider the offer.
How much does Mr.. Hopkins ask 2" said
| Gen Hubbard.
well, really, gentlemen, the meager
offer made to us takes us so completely by
surprise that it scarcely seems as if any set
Element can possibly be made outside of the
| courts,n was Mr.. Wilson's reply.
The result was telegraphed to Mr.. Searles
at Methuen, who autographed back that he
did not care to continue further negotia-
| tons with Mr. Hopkins attorney. If Mr.
Hopkins would come to Methuen aud talk
the matter over, Mr.. Searles photographed.
he thought they would have no difficulty in
reaching satisfactory understanding.
Mr.. Hopkins went to Methuen that night,
and last Saturday spent part Of the day
|
come to terms, for Mr.. Hopkins demanded
an equal share of the estate aud would
| listen to no other proposition. de lett Mr..
| SearleS and joined Joseph II. Choate at the
latter's country house in Stockbridge, Mass.
where he will remain until the case is called
in the probate court at Salem on Sept. %.
| 1t is said that Mr.. Hopkins has signed an
| agreement to pay his attorneys one-fourta
of the amount the courts. award him. As
the lowest value Of the estate is $50 600 900
and Mr.. Hopkins expects TO get one-hAlf of
| it. Messrs Choate, Endicott Wilson,
Boalt and Burley will have S2,500,OOO to
| divide if they win.
1t is not generally known that Timothy
Hopkins had almost exclusive management
Of the estate during the five years preceding
| the marriage of Mrs. Hopkins to Mr..
Searles. At the time she left California in
1889, she gave her adopted son control OF
| the property. and admonishei him to man
| age it carefully aud familiarize himself
with all of the details as il would some day
all be his. When he was made treasurer
of the Southern Pacific Railway Company
he assumed an air Of Importance
that was somewhat amusing to the
Huntingtons, Stanfords and Crockers. At
the time Of his marriage Mrs. Hopkins gave
him present of 100000. and the income
from this, together with his salary of
$4,000 year from theTrailroAd company,
was thought to be ample to, meet all his ex-
penses.
A few years later, when sic came to look
over his accounts Mrs. Hopkins was aston
ished to find that he had been absorbing
about $4,000 a year from the income
of the estate for his personal USE
When she demonstrated With him he
replied that it was necessary for him &c
spend 100000 q year to keep up with hi;
end with Gov. Stanford and C. P. Hunting
ton. The old lady thought Otherwise and
limited his authority, cutting DOWN mis- al
lowance to $4,000 year. just prior to
her marriage she relieved her adopted son
OF the responsibility and placed the
management of the estate in the hands of
Messrs. Stillman and Hubbard. who have
handled it ever since, receiving an annual
| fee OF 70 0O0f for their services. -.
Timothy Hopkins has continued to re-
ceive his allowance of $4,000, and this
together with his $4,000 as treasurer of the
Southern Pacific, has enabled HIM to live
comfortably in the Sl00,000 MEMO Parh
| house. And yet he refused to take SO, $50, :.
COO from Mr.. Searles ana stop contest