Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-09-11
A WILL CONTEST.
SPRIrUALEE MIXED UP IN TIE hopkins
BARLBS CONTEST.
A Spook- DsGssa Earrisgs-TiHothy Hopkins Vii
Atsmp to Shsw That bis Foster Mother Was
TIE Victim Of Undue IIfusrc0 When
80 Was Disinhgiisd.

NEW YORK, September lot ha'
been frequently stated since Timothy
Hopkins first determined to contest his
foster-mother's will that he would claim
undue influence, and offer to prove the
unsound mental condition Of Mrs. Hop
kins-Searles at the time she disInherited
him. Family goSsips have un:olded the
plan Of campaign. 1t appears that the
influence which the obscure paper-hang-
err is said 10 have exerted is similar to
that OF the high spook priestess, Ann
O'Delia DisDebar, when she led Lawyer
Luther r. Marsh q pretty lively dance.
Ii Is generally understood that Mr..
SearleS is an apostle OF spiritualiSm,
and that most of his associates are en-
gaCed in fatnOming the mystery OF COM
municGtion with departed spirits. When
he went 70 San Francisco 10 is said he
found an old lady deeply impressed In
the mysteries of spiritualism. At her
house were the two souls Of DR.. Crook,
who in lest amused Mrs. Hopkins by
pretending to converse with the lnVlS-
IDLE inhabitants Of SpOOkland. These
conferences began TO take on serious
aspect. for Mrs, Hopkins became de-
won't believer, so when Mr.. Searles pro-
claimed himself en- apostle OF the faith
he was invited 70 join their evening cir
Gle in the drawing-rOOm.
As the story goes, there was spirit
writing going on in Mrs. Hopkins draw
ing room one night, Mr.. SearleS being
the medium. When the slate was opened
be was the first to read the message. 1t
was an Injunction from spirit land that
Mr.. Searles should marry Mrs. Hopkins.
OF course Mr.. SearleS was greatly en-
barraSsed, and he started TO rub out the
writing, but Mrs. Hopkins Snatched the
slate and quickly scanned the message.
That ended the seance for that evening.
10 was not long after that Mr.. SearieS,
In the presence OF several friends, put
his arm affectiOnately around Mrs. Hop
kins and kissed her, while she in return
announced him as her affianced husband.
Timothy Hopkins has furnished him
self with ailidavits concerning his foster
mothers spiritUaliStic tendencies, and
he will endeavOr through his attorneys
10 convince the Massachusetts Court
that Mr.. Searles obtained absolute con-
troll over the old lady by fraudulent
spirit manifestations. IL has been stated
that no attempts have yet been made
toward a settlement Of the contest, but
IL is now positively knO wn that the
story of the negotiations between the at
torneys on both sides was true in every
important particular.
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 when Mr..
Hopkins arrived.
Mr.. Wilson and his associate counsel,
Judge BOatt, were empowered by
IeSSrs. Stillman and Hubbard to say
hat Mr.. Searles was willing TO give
Mr.. Hopkins $3.50, 900 in full settle
nent of his claims. When the amount
vas mentioned UUth OF Juo O1IrfvEs-'-
awyers looked surprised, and then re-
armed TO the Hotel Brunswick TO repeat
he proposition to their client. The
next day they told Messrs. Stillman and
Hubbard that Mr.. Hopkins would not |
even consider the offer.
It's said that M Hopkins has signed !
An agreement to pay his attorneys one
fourth OF the amount the courts award
aim. AS the lowest value OF the estate
5 $40, OOO, 900 and Mr.. Hopkins expects
10 get one-half of it, MeSsrS. Choate,
Endicott, Wilson, BOatt and Burley Will
have 1850, 900 to divide il they win.