The morning call., 1891-09-05
HOPKINS SHARE.
SeaTleS Willing to Settle for a Reasonable
Amount.

NEW YORK, Sept 4.-When Timothy
Hopkins arrived here he was full Of fight
A close friend Of his says that when he
reached the city Hopkins found his attor-
neys discussing a proposed settlement
with attorneys for Searles. He was speedily
invited to take part in the conference,
and for two days he and Judge Boalt and
Lawyer Russell j. Wilson have been in al
most constant communication with Butler
Stillman and Hubbard. Searles' representa-
tives and managers of his entire estate. The
conferences brought out the fact that there
was a disposition on the part of Seares to
make an amica6le settlement with Hopkins
and minor contestants provided they Ould
he content to accept reasonable share of
the fortune.
The estate is so peculiarly situated that
to realize on the productive part would be
detrimental to the interests of everybody
Many millions are invested in palatial resi-
dences that cannot easily be sold, and
Southern Pacific securities must remain in
tact to keep control of the property.
So much of the income Is also absorbed by
unprOductive real estate that it is difficult
to separate any part of the fortune without
materially depreciating the remainder. The
lawyers discussed yesterday what amount
OF the fortune would satisfy the demands of
Hopkins, and, although nothing like an un-
visable to wait till some of the real estate can
be disposed of to good advantage This is
about as far as the negotiations went when
the conference was Interrupted late in the
afternoon By telegram TO Hopkins sum-
mOning him to 60 TO Methuen for q private
conference with Searles. Hopkins left on
the afternoon train. This move of Seares
was unexpected and is regarded as further
evidence OF his reported anxiety TO settle
with Hopkins without unpleasant notOriety.
Hopkins friend says he will get at least
5000. GOO for his share, but he is not certain
that the disinherited son would be satisfied
with even that amount Mr.. Hopkins
certainly has a strong case IL it
goes to court" said the friend. He
will be able to prove by incontrovert-
ible evidence that prior to her marriage
with Searles lie was the acknowledged heir
to the bulk OF her vast estate. He can show
also that the old lady was not in the full en-
JOyment of health and intellect when
the marriage took place, ana that
afterward undue Influence was used to
words he may have uttered IN crticiZing
her marriage were magnified many times
when they reached her ears. Even
in her last illness she was secluded from
every one who was not known to be allied
with Searles' interest. II looks now as if
settlement will soon be reached. but unless
Searles is willing to make fair division of
the property, Hopkins will fight until the
last course Of appeal has been exhausted"
Joseph II. Choate. one of the leading law
yers of this city, was retained to-day by
Timothy Hopkins in his contest against Mrs.
Searles' will.
Arguments in the case will probably be
begun Tuesday Mt Salem, Mass. General
Hubbard, one of The lawyers representing
the executors, and himself an executor, says
that the estate wont reach thirty millions.
He says he cannot imagine upon what the
Hebbards base their hopes, as there is no
mention OF them in any of the many wills
declared invalid it will not benefit them.
They would have then to attack the next
last will and so on until they had gone
through all. ani even if they succeeded in
breaking all tha wills they would not gain
ANYTHING