The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-07-13
~|NGERSOLL'S PROPHECY.
T. j. Davis Says His Contract Made
With John A. Davis Is
Fraudulent
The Iowa Boy Now Asserts That
He Was Deceived and
Misled.
He IL Not willing to BE Longer Im-
posed Upon-The Case in q
New Light.

"a y y AA SS~SSSs SAV
claims to be the son of the dead millionaire
over the distribution of whose estate a hard
legal battle is being made. 1t was of this
young man that Col. Ingersoll made a pre-
diction in his closing argument before the
supreme court last week. Ingersoll's pro-
phecy was to the effect that if the alleged
will should be proved a forgery, Davis
would come into the contest once more,
Notwithstanding his contract with John A.
Davis in which he disposed of all his rights
to a share in the estate. He is in Butte
waiting for the trial OF the case involving
the validity of the will, pending the decis-
ion of the supreme court on the change OF
venue case. According to the statements
made to a Miner reporter by Mr.. Davis
there have been three contracts or assign
ments of record made to him, one of which
was with Jewet Allin, made about two years
before the death of the millionaire: another
with M. A. McCoid. Davis attorney, made
at the time he was employed, which was on
March 26, 1890, and still another with John
A. Davis, made in June, 1890. Mr.. Davis
explains the contracts as follows:
At the time the contract was made with
Jewet Allin, living then at Los Angeles.
CAL, John A. Davis was, n had been for
eight years previous, engaged in an effort
to ALLEVIATE the father of 7. j. Davis from
him In order to prevent the latter becoming
the heir Of his father. The contract was
made with Allin with a view to bringing
about a reconciliation with the millionaire,
his father, before his death. Had this
reconciliation been brought about before
the death Of Mr.. Davis. the present
litigation in the opinion of Thomas Jeffer-
son Davis would have been avoided. Under
the terms of the contract with Allin moth
ing was done and no privileges accrued, SO
that thisp particular one has nothing to do
with the estate.
Thomas j. Davis says he knows that
for years before his fathers death some Of
his other relatives tried in every way to in
jure him in the affections of his father and
that he is prepared to show this in many
ways; that his father resisted efforts and re-
fused to do anything; that his relatives did
succeed, however, in either preventing the
making of a will in his favor or else, if such
will was made, which he believes is the case,
destroying or concealing it from him.
The second conveyance to M. A. McCoid
is q valid one, says Mr.. Davis. 1t was
made AS q portion of the remuneration for
his services as attorney-to secure his in
heritance, and under it his rights are
amply protected.
The third contract, says Mr.. Davis, was
with John A. Davis, made at Omaha, Neb.,
III JUNE, 1oJOs duu i 4INuuulcut IL WlUu-
out consideration; that at the time this con
tract was entered into he was decoyed to
Omaha by a deceptive telegram, taken to
the house of John A. Davis attorney and
away from his own counsel, where he was
assured by John A. Davis that he was to be
the administ, ator of the estate and could
then if necessary get away with the whole
thing; that there was q will which allowed
him CT. j. Davis) a %pittance of not more
than $4,000 during his lifetime. possibly
nothing. ana that he was the execu-
tor and that it was all left with him to
should be; that the estate was not
worth more than SEQ 900, and that he,
John A.. Davis, would take care to settle
fully with the other men who had contests
with him. That John A. Davis SO placed
the business before him that it was simply
a question whether he would have him
(John A. as an enemy with the power
under the will to cut him off entirely, o.
have him as a friend who was willing anc
biR-hearted enough to pay SO much-more
representation of the stipulations o.
the will; that under the influences of these
promises and assertions the contract wat
made. Since that time he has been kept
under John A. Davis influence and no
permitted to make known the fact or coun-
possible way; that within the last two
weeks he has laid the facts before his coun.
sci and has in consequence learned the
truth, and is therefore not willing to b.
longer imposed upon; that John AS con.
tract is not what he was led to believe il
WAS in legal effect, but rather much stronger
and more sweeping. Thomas j. Davis sAyi
it was intended only to become operative
under the will, and was executed on the
superstition that the will referred to BY
John A. was genuine,
Thomas Jefferson also states that it was
aypresalv aoraaH first. that thav uara fr
take the testimony and establish fully the
fact that he is the son of Judge Andrew J.
Davis and has been leoitimatized as suct
under the law. This, says he, they have
failed to do and are showing no disposition
in this direction. He would like to have
this more h anything else. He says he
is not engaged in a struggle to get bold OF
the accumulations of his father, and made
the following statement of his position.
II am an honorable man. l know how te
live as a poor man lives, and do not need
much. Il have no great aspiration, but
love and revere my fathers name. With
me it is and shall be an open, honorable
contest for a name and place among mon as
the legitimate son of Andrew j. Davis, and
therefore his heir. / want this both fol
boy at home. / have been deceived and
misled, and seem to be the object of con.
spiracy and hatred on the part of those
who should be just to me. ls it not an I'M.
seemly scramble that is being made for my
fathers money? Do not all these people
know in their hearts that l am his only sor
the only n living in whom his blood OF
descent runs3 This fight on me is being
made only from Il desire to gel
hold of his money. l do not want
to be understood AZ doing the same
l know that my father would, ut his death
have desired to donate literally from his
estate toward the establishment of public
institutions. l wish it might be done tc
perpetuate his memory. | wish that ar
academy of science could be established il
his name here in Montana, where his wealth
was gathered. My fathers estate is suf-
ticient to do this and leave ample provis-
ions for myself and family and at the same
time carry on the local interests of which
he died possessed"
Young Davis further said that if the viii
should not prove to be genuine and shoult
be set aside he has at this time ample PROOF
of his legal right AZ he'll -at-law under the
laws of Montana. He also says no has CON
tidence in the courts and juries here, anc
does not believe that any court or any jury
will defeat his right to the estate under til,
evidence he now has.