The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1891-09-23
WASALLF FOR LOVE
WHY EDWARD SBARLEs MAR
RIED MRS. MARK HOPKINS.
WAS NOT AN INCENTIVE.
Interesting Testimony in the Great
Will Contest at Salem Mrs.
SeRrles in Sound Mind When
She Signed the Will.

SALEa, Mass, Sep. 23.-At the begin
ming OF the trial or the Hopkins-Searles
will case yesterday, all of the contestants
were either present personally or repre-
sented by distinguished counsel.
The trst proceedings were the reading
Of the petition and will William w.
Dodge, a witness TO the will. testified Il
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
5. 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.. Searle's 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 proceeded to cross-eXam-
inc witnesses, his main point being the
fact tina the name "Timothy Hopkins
was written apparently in different
ink and in a 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 a middle initial.
He had been instructed to draw will
leaving all the property to Mr. Searles,
and as his duty as "a 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 expressed her wishes, and it was
executed. Witness took 1t 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 to
it for year, but in December, 1884 he
entertained the proposition; knew at the
time that Mrs. Hopkins was born In
1920 He delayed accepting the PROPOSE
tion Of marriage to give her chance to
be sure that she was satisfied, and after
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-
vate car. He was accompanied by Miss
Cass of Great Darlington. Witness,
from 1885 to 1897, was experimenting
the building Of Mrs. Hopkins house at
Great Darlington. He has understood
that the son Timothy, in connection with
the railroad people, managed her affairs
had been told by Mrs. Hopkins that
Timothy had objected to the marriage,
but had cherished no ill-will toward him
for #; the agreement of marriage was
entered into in September, 1897, on wit
ness part because he greatly admired
her.
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. Did not know of
the will made the day of the marriage,
November 8, 1887, until after her death,
but did not think 1t was Intentionally
made behind his back.