Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1892-08-26
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PROFESSION pwIoHI,s WILL.


A Few Seconds More Might Have Changed
the Destination of 81 200. .0Oc.
Since the death of Professor Theodore
/ w. Dwight there has been considerable
discussion In certain quarters as to the
provisions Of his will, as IL was assumed
that of course such shrewd lawyer and
careful business man must surely have
made n will.
When 1t was apparent that his illness
was approaching fatal termination he
was reminded by his physician that il
would be the part Of wisdom TO attend
to the disposition of his temporal affairs
without further delay, and when Pro
-fessor Dwight expressed a desire to
make his will his old friend and neigh
Dor, Judge Seymour, was called in to
frame the document, which be did at
the dictation Of Professor Dwight, whose
mind was evidently as clear as it ever
was His niece, Miss Sophie Dwight.
and his physician, DR.. Peck. were pres
ent as attesting witnesses.
After the will had been framed it
was taken to an adjoining room to be
copied before receiving the signature.
Although the work of copying occupied
but few moments, the dying man was
seen to be failing very rapidly, and al
though pen was placed in Ills hand and
assistance given, he was able to but
partially complete his signature when
he lapsed into comatose STATE and died
within a few moments. When asked
the customary question, which is legally
required, If he acknowledged the paper
to be his last will and testament, his
lips moved slightly, but no articulate
word could be distinguished, and mo-
ment later he was pronounced dead
Although 80 nearly executed, and 50
evidently expressing his wishes, the will
is declared invalid, and its provisions
can only be carried out by the acquies-
cence of all the heirs.
The document was very brief, as if
the dying man fully realized that his
end was close at hand. Besides be-
queathing 1000 to his daughter, Mrs.
Partridge, and a smaller amount to
her infant son when he should become
of age, the balance of the property, both
real and personal, was given to Mrs.
Dwight. Mrs. Partridge, who resides
Mt Cornwall on the Hudson. is the only
child and has been helpless invalid,
suffering from nervous prostration for
nearly year. 1t is said that she does
not yet know of her fathers death, as it
is feared the shock might prove disas-
trous Until such time as her health
will admit it is understood that moth
ing can be done toward the settlement
of the estate, which is in the hands of
Mrs. Dwight's brother, Dwight H. Ohm
stead, of New York
The value of Professor Dwight's es-
tate will probably never be publicly
known. Even the family, it is said,
have no idea Of the size of the property,
as the deceased was very reticent about
such matters in his home. Those who
appear to be in position where they
should be capable Of forming an opin-
ion claim that Professor Dwight's es-
tate will not fall below 81 900, 900, and
some put it largely in excess of that
Others who are close to the
family think 1t much less.
1t Is known that for nearly twenty
years Professor Dwight's income from
his teaching and writings ranged from
$25, 900 to sac, 900 a yer. 1t nfterward
dropped to $4,000 per year, and at the
time of his death his salary as emeritus
professor in Columbia college was 81, 800.
All this was in addition to his legal
practice, from which he is said to have
derived a large income. his fees in sim
gle cases, as referee or council, at times
to as much as 100000, If we
are correctly informed. When Profess
Or Dwight's style of living is consid-
cred, it will readily be seen that it was
quite possible for him to have amassed
. fortune. IN. W Courier.