New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-09-23
MRS. HOPKINS PROPOSED.
INTERESTING TESTIMONY OF E. F. sBARLEs
IN THE GREAT WILL CASE AT SALEM.
DELAYING THE MARRIAGE IN ORDER TO LET HER
MAKE SURE SHE WAS sATIsFIED-HE DID
NOT MARRY HER FOR MONEY ALONE.

NOT MARRY HER FOR MONEY ALONE.
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TBBUsR1
Salem Mass, Sept. 22.-Ihe hening on the will OF
Mary F. Hopkins, Of Methuen, begun IN the RIO
bate Court here this morning. Judge Harman pre-
sided Colonel Solomon Lincoln. OF Boston: william
Allen Butler and wilhelmus Nynderse, of New-lOr
and Richard Dodge. OF Cambridge. appeared for the
VIII. f. T. Burley, of Lawrence; Judge Boalt, OF
San Francisco and Judge W. c. EndlcOtt represented
Timothy Hopkins, the chief contestant The other
contestants who have fled appearances did not appear
colonel Lincoln asked for probate the VIII
which he read. 1t leaves the entire estate,
estimated at S30O00oO0. to the testator's husband
Edward F. Searles. The attesting witnesses, William
Dodge, Of Cambridge Charles NJ. Thornton. Of Law
renee and W. o. Norris, of Methuen, all testified TO
witnessing the will in customary form. Mr.. Dodge
said that he drew the win from memorandum given
him by Thomas f. Stlllmau, Of New York, and carried
it to Mrs Searles at Methuen. He also testified that
on the same memorandum were instructions for draw
ing the will Of Mr.. Searles; that he drew IT, and that
IL vss signed at the time At the time OF
signing the will attention called to the omission
10 provide for the adopted SON. Timothy, and Mrs.
seares said it as she wished it, Having put on
the attesting witnesses, the respondent rested n
The contestant first called Edward F. Searlcs. who
was on the stand all the afternoon a Will made at
the time OF the marriage produced. In IL Mrs
seares gave $4,000 to a coachman and divided the
Hopkins on crOssexamination Mr.. Searles testified
that he first met Mrs. Hopkins in san Francisco In
March, 1883 going to her house with letter Of intro
ducon TO look over the house met her there several
times going on excursions into te country twice win
her and her daughterin-la1 lie then detailed his
acquaintance with and visits 10 Mrs. Hopkins.
The first proposition OF marriage between the two
came from Mrs Hopkins in NewYork, in the fall OF
1883. Witness did not assent to 1t for year. but in
December, 1884 he entertained the proposition lie
knew at the time that Mrs. Hopkins born in
1890 and was twentyone years his senior; had never
previously proposed marriage to any one. lie could
not help knowing. he said that Mrs. Hopkins was
a woman OF large means. He delayed accepting the
proposition Of marriage to give her chance to be
sure she was satisfied and. after he entertained II, ne
DELAYED marriage for three years In the spring Of
1856 he went to Florida the guest Of Mrs Hopkins
in her private car She was accompanied by MISS
Cass of Great Darlington. Witness, from 1880 10
1857 was superintendng the building Of Mrs lopknss
house at Great Darlington. lie had understood tna'
the son. Timothy, in conjunction with the railroad
people, managed her affairs had been told by MIS-
Hopkins that Timothy had objected to the marriage
but had cherished no Ill will toward him for IT, The
agreement of marriage was entered into in September
1887, on witnesses part, because he greatly admired
Mrs Hopkins. In reply to a question, he said that he
married her for all she had both love and money, but
should never have married her for money alone
A marriage contract made before the marriage was
produced but was found to have been cancelled An
ncxcd TO II was schedule by which real estate In san
Francisco vaucd at S3.j0oO00; the estate IN Great
harrington lots in New York City and lands IN SGca
nnnto md elsewY ere in California placed in trust
for Searles with Mr.. Siil!maa.
The case will go on tomorrow. 1t Is understood
that fbe Contestants do not intend TO put many
witnesses now the case will go to the Supreme Court
anyway.