Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-10-27
THE STORY OF A WILL,
George A. jerks Tells of the Late
John Dubois and His Estate.
HOW A SUCCESSOR WAS CHOSEN.
The Dead Millionaire's Affection for Els
Lawyer.
A GOOD FAT FEE FOR LEGAL SERVICES

George A jerks, who was Solicitor Gel
eral of the United States under the Clev,
land administration, sat in the lobby of tn
Seventh Avenue Hotel last night, where b
was surrounded for an hour with an intel
ested party of friends
Mr.. jerks is an interesting figure. Hi
presence is striking. His hair, alway
closely cropped, is white as polished ivory
He wears nicely trimmed side whiskers
which, in their arrangement and style, ad
strength to his positive mouth and vel
formed chin. He is 56 years old, but b.
says he has no evidence that he is not q
young now as when he attended school
The noted lawyer and advocate enter
tanned his friends last night by tellin.
stories of his legal practice, and how ht
hammered out successful practice that
finally became burden to him. For several
years before he became q member o.
President Cleveland's official family, Mr.
jerks was connected with four different
law firms in Jefferson, Clarion, Armstrong
and Indiana counties. His part with each
Of the four firms was to try the cases.
Offered Big Money to Refuse Office.
When Mr.. jerks was offered the Solicitor
Generalship by President Cleveland he
hesitated at accepting the place.
Il have probably more substantial clients
than any other lawyer in my end of the
State, Mr. jerks explained to the Presi-
dent Il would like the position rendered
me, and would like to get rid of most of
my business, but cannot leave my clients
without their consent If they will con-
sent then will accept the place.
Mr. jerks then called upon his clients
They had stood by him when he needed
their help. All of them consented TO his
accepting the place offered him save John
Dubois He hesitated at turning his af-
fairs over to another lawyer s'You know
my business better than do" Mr. Dubois
explained to Mr. jerks 81 will paw YOU
$40 year if you do not accept the
place.
Then Mr. jerks explained that his busi-
ness was breaking his health and that his
going to Washington would enable him to
get needed relief 81 will throw up all nv
legal business but yours" Mr.. jerks ex-
planned II will do your work just as 1
have always done it"
IF you agree to do that I will consent to
your accepting the place offered you," Mr..
Dubois said, ''and will pay you the S1O,- |
200 per year just to show you that 1 appre- |
elate you more than the Government"
Got Both Office and Salary.
II have been getting that annual salary
from the Dubois estate ever since In ad- |
dition / have been granted advisory counsel.
My brother, the e1-Judge, is my assistant !
pay him e, 500 each year for his work
John Dubois was peculiar man," Mr..
jerks went on. He had a great time when
be came to make his will He was kindly
disposed to all his men, and he was anxious
that his great estate should after his death
be SO managed that his employees would
have constant work. He therefore had me
write his VIII giving his estate to five of his
relatives, whom he had constituted a syndi-
cate to manage his affairs.
What do YOU think of that scheme?'
Mr.. Dubois asked me after had written
the will.
II don't like it, said. Six months
later was called in again. Mr.. Dubois
then said he had studied over his will and
he was convinced that the scheme would
not work. l advised him to select one of
his heirs and will his estate absolutely to
that heir. The suggestion struck him
1avorably, but he had a long and earnest
struggle In selecting the fortunate heir. |
de wrote down the names of all his rela-
tiyes, rs In number, and then he scratched
one after another off His brothers were
too old, others he considered incompetent ,,
to handle the great estate. Finally he re-
luced the list to two names, John E. Du- {
bols and young Miller, both his nephews.
Put Them to the Test.
HE engaged both the BOYS to work on the
estate and he watched them closely for a :
rear. He then sent for me again and had ]
ne write deeds for his estate to John E
Dubois wrote his will giving the bow 9
ne estate which fixed the matter beyond :
VI dispute. line young man was then but t
A years old. The estate was valued at I
:, 600, 600. At the death of his uncle younp
'ohn Dubois assumed the burden of the a
reat estate and he has managed it with I
Fonderiul skill and success. A disastrous !,
re swept over the place since then and \
mile the loss was heavy it scarcely made L
a impression on the affairs of the Young p
manager and millionaire. He is an ardent n
over OF sport. He owns and drives the y
est horses in the country but he does not ~
Ike to the girls. He not only looks after
is own business but he acts as sort of
uardian Tor all his relatives and be is
onderfully liberal and charitable and a
ne of the most useful citizens / have e e
yer learned to know" n
Then Mr.. jerks drifted on to other SUBJ "
cts He discussed in rather uncompli- u
entary way the Baker ballot law. He u
liked of the Homestead cases in all their r.
atureS He had read Chief Justic
axson's charge to the grand jury. "T ha
as great effort" Mr.. jerks said in re-
Ird. to the treason charge sI understood
e charge thoroughly, but cannot vet un- W
'rstand why Justice Paxson told the u,
and jury that he was a farmer" All