The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-03-10

-, @---" 1850
telegram from Mr.. Hopkins. II was terse
and to the point. The disinhsrited young
man had filed notice of his discontinue
ance Of the appeal on the part OF him
self and his wife from the decision rendered
against them by Judge Harmon last fall.
This was lone at his " risk. for at
that time 10 agreement had been made az
to how much he was to receive from Ed
ward r. Searles, who now gets incontesta-
bly, the millions or Marx Hopkins, left him
BY the %latter's widow.
Attorney Stillman, counsel in this city
for MI. Searles, said to-day that, strictly
speaking, there is no compromise, but Mr..
Searlss, with his plenty, has volunteered to
give the disinherited adopted son q small
slice Of the Hopins' wealth.
The appeal has been withdrawn uncon-
ditionally and leaves Mr.. searles complete
master Of the situation. He will provide
for all Mrs. Hopkins' relatives in a liberal
manner. There IRE twenty-four or twenty
five Of them. Mr. Searles says that Mrs.
Hopkins left ali her money to him with the
understanding that he should provide for
all her relatives in a way that she would
desire. 9@a n
Bequeathing all her wealth to him, Mr..
esarles says, was only a matter Of conven-
fence. Mira. Hopkins trusted to his. gener-
oslty. and he is. he now says, prepared to
fulfill her wishes to the letter. The So, 20O,-
GOO he offered Mr.. Hopkins over a year ago
was, Mr.. Searles says, in strict conformity
to the wishes of his dead wife.
The $$33,0o0,O0O which Mr.. Searles now al
lows Timothy Hopkins is made up of west
ern property exclusively and cash. 1t is
practically the same as was offered him
last year, with one notable e~xception-the
palatial Hopkins house on the corner of
California and Mason streets in San Fran
cisco ID not included.
he wishes to keep this house for several
reasons. He will convert it into a great
public institution, whether a library, pic
ture gallery or a museum he has not de-
cided, although it is probable That the
house will be an art gallery rather than a
library. This would be following ont MIR.
searles' artistic inclinations, and such an
institution would for the rest Of his years
be a source of extreme pleasure to him.
1t would fill, too, q vacancy in San Fran
cisco that has so far been allowed to 90
untouched, and thus impress unusual in
terest on the gift. In lieu of this house
MI. Searles has given MIR. Hopkins 1850, 900 |
in cash, which he regards as a fair present
valuation of the property, which cost over
$1,000, 900.
The rest of the three millions given to
MI. Hopkins consists almost entirely of
real estate and cash, but where this prop
erty lies has not been announced by the
attorneys here.
An interesting story is related as to c.. z.
Huntlngton's part in the settlement. Al
though Mr.. Huntington has claimed to be q
disihtsrested party, and in one interview
said he had no knowledge of the condition
of Mrs. Searles' affairs, this settlement in
dicates that he has not been idle in looking
out for his own interests, which are in
volyed in Southern Pacific stock held by
Mr.. Searle1. He needs this to maintain
his nscendenoy in tho Southern Pacific and
Keep MS foot on the neck of sx-President
Stanford.
His tear was that in case Timothy Hop
kins won his suit against Searles a diyis.
ion OF. the estate would ensue which |
might carry a part or all of this stock be-
yond his reach. For this reason he has
all along favored a compromise OF the case,
and has been in q measure influential in
bringing about the present result, which,
it will be noted, leaves all the stocks and
bonds in the hands of Mr.. Searles. The
Southern Pacific stock therefore remains
under Mr.. Huntington's control, aud it
may be that Timothy Hopkins will in
time feel an unkindly pressure from this
source.
Mr.. Huntington is always ready to be
interviewed. and has a happy way of talk
ing a great deal and automatically saving
very little. found him to-night at his
house, IS Park avenue, and when asked
whether he was familiar with the terms of
the settlement he said:
u have been very busy at my office
during the past few days. and l haven't
thought much about this matter. Per-
sonally, of course. | have had nothing to
do with it, but some information has
reached me. understand that Mr.. Hop-
kins ia to receive $4,000. COO"
is any of this sum in the securities of
the Central or Southern Pacific RAILROADS.&C.
II believe not. 1t will be paid partly in
cash and partly in real estate in California.
u understand that none of these securities
were tied up in the estate, though MI. Hop
had some. With regard to the state.
ment that Mr.. Ssarles will convert the
Hopkina house in Snn Francisco INTO a
library or museum, l can only say it 10 very
likely.
MI. Searles, whom l know intimately, is
extremely generous man. He ia BY no
means a worshlper of wealth, as his settle
mont shows. l have always admired Mr..
Searles as an unseltish and liberal person.
Some years ago when certain individuals
in san Francisco did not know much about
him, took pains to tell them my opinion,
and urged that as he was likely to be an
important factor in the city il was adyis-
able to give him n pleasant Welcome. ]
have never regretted what l said then, |
think it very probable that San Ftauoisco
will profit by his administration OF tho
wealth that has come into his hands.
while ! know nothing definitely Of his
plans, l have gathered from conversation
with him that he intends to make some
public expression Of his regard for the city
which for 80 many years was his wife's
home, and whore much of the money he
now holds was gathered. This action is, |
dare say, in accordance with the wishes
of Mrs, Seatles. 1t was her intention to
give San Francisco some benefit of her for
tune. Think Mr.. Searles understood her
wishes and will act much as she would had
she lived. both in relation to the matter of
n public institution for San Francisco and
the care of relatives who had a claim upon
her.
Further than this l have no informa-
tion and the newspapers will be able to tell
you moro than | till then, for / have found
that tho Chronicles presentation of This
has been very accurate"
From another source it WAS learned that,
after getting u verdict in his favor at salem
last October, bearles prepared \ schedule
this California intereata which he WAS
willing to surrender. Hopkins desired to