The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-10-24
was refused. The next night he blew out
his brains on MS lady loves doorstep.
The senrles Will Case.


of the Searles will case this morning Lin
coin recalled Searles. Witness testified
that at Mrs. Hopkins request he called on
MIR. Stillmau to look up securities IN Octo-
Der, 1887. Witness testified as to the visit
of Stillman to Metheun before the last will
was made. Mrs. Searles stated she wished
to leave all her property to witness and
would provide for Timothy in her lifetime.
In case anything happened to her she was
willing to leave matters in witness hands;
she knew witness would be more generous
to Timothy than she would. Witness testi-
fed during Mrs Searles' last sickness he
visited New York and while in con-
versation with Stillman referred to her
condition, and said if her condition
was critical it would be well to transfer
the Southern Pacific and Improvement
bonds and stocks to the partnership, 30
in case of Mrs. Sesrles' death it should not
lose it's voting power. Stillman said he
would attend to it. Witness dspied most
emphatically he ever at any time attempted
| by himself or through others to in any
way influence his wife in the disposal of
her property. He never noticed anything
to show she was in any other than strong
mental condition.
Burley, on cross examination asked wit
private conversation in regard to the dis
posal Of her property. Witness replied
None" Sesrles stated that in June. 1887,
he had property of his own amounting to
600, coo.
The discrimination brought out moth
| ing new. Witness knew of no memoranda
additional to the will being left, at least he
had not discovered any. This concluded
! Searles' testimony, he having been on the
stand for five days and over under the most
searching examination into all his affairs.
Burley then called Tor the check books
showing the checks to Stillman or Hubbard.
This request the court was not disposed to
grant. Counsel for the will then rendered
the original copy Of the letters which had
been read for comparison, and the contest
ants rested their case for Timothy Hop
kins.
Judge Harmon asked if anyone else
wished to be heard in opposition to the
instruments, and there was no response.
Lincoln then called General Hubbard, of
New Y ork, who testified he had known
Searles for some time prior to 1882, but
had personally done no business for him
he first met Mrs. Searles in the spring o!
1888, but had heard something of matter:
in conversation with Stillmsn. Genera
Hubbard gave In general way Mrs
Searl5s' property as consisting of some
sixty different kinds Of stocks and bonds
The property is such that anyone who at
tempts to attend to either one of the prop
critics it requires all of his time. Witness
had large and prosperous practice suC
when Stillman came to him aud sail
I Searles wanted him to take the manage
ment of the property if he would go il
with him, he told him it was
serious matter, as it would il
3 short time at least involve the abandon
ment Of the practice of the law. Final,
he consented to take it up with him. A &C
partnership was suggested by Stillms
Z who had found as attorneys, they had me
with rebuffs in getting the Information
a, necessary TO CO q with the questions befor
: them, but as principals as well as attorney
they could insist on their rights to it. Wit
ness knew that per cent. of the incom
: of property would be much less than hi
professional income, and finally, afte
D much discussion, the co-partnership, a
drawn, was made as a most Just and rea
eonable arrangement.
At the afternoon session General Huh
D bard testified the management Of the estat
3 had taken nearly all his time for the las
q year and half and fully as much of Still
mans time. He saw Mrs. Searles abou
June B, 1883, and she wanted some one (
S manage her business who was near at hand
d In the latter part of May, 1890, witnes
q went to Mrs. Searles and remarked sh
q Searles was drawing quite literally. Sh
asked if that was not right Witness sal
> yes il she wished it so. She said Searle
pays all her bills and she wanted him Il
She did not want to keep a bank accour
= or have anything to do with matters {
business.
d, 'Were any changes made in the record {
the title of the co-psrtnership just befor
: Mrs. Searles' DEATH" was asked witness
: Eyes. In the Southern Pacific and p
cifc improvement company, both had bee
y transferred to the partnership, but had re
NAMED on record as In the name of MIR
Searles. They were then transferred G
? the books of the compauy's. Witness hs
: no personal knowledge of the wills, ar
= had never attempted in any manner to il
fluence Mrs. Searles in regard TO makir
her will. Mrs. Searles always impresst
him as woman Of alert mind, and spoil
4, as woman of quite decided opinions VINE
she spoke on matters of business. Wi
D, ness never advised keeping matters seer
: from Timothy Hopkins.