The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1893-12-30
CUTTHIs OUT AND PUT TIN YOUR
SCRAP-BOOK.

I
Known family affairs, but when they
are in possession of the public. we are
guilty of no indiscreiion In calling
public attention to the same, and
drawing differences from them.
We refer TO the insurance policy oil
our late friend. the lamented Dave
Dreyfnss. In 1881, Dave took policy
of $4,000 iu favor of his brother
Solomon D. aud his sister Rosalie d.
equally. Both died, one six years and
The other four years ago. Our friend
Dave never had his policy changed.
aud now the Insurance money goes to
Solomon and Rosalie DIS heirs, j. e.,
one brother in New Orleans, one
brother iE Germany, his mother, and
= small part oft to his children.
Although public opinion is violently
opposed TO turn over 10 strong able
bodied men the money that justly be-
longs to Dawes little children, cold law
would have necessarily to abide by q
cul2able neglect on the fathers part,
and turn the money over TO them.
We fetlconfdcnt, however, that even
should his brother come from Germany
10 try to enforce the collection of an
inheritance that is not justly duo him,
he never could get it.
1t is not the first instance of this
kind that we have known. We are all
careless concerning our after-death
dispositions whilst we are in good
health, we do not think of how it will
be after we are gone; and, if sick, We
put ii off until We get better. Death
comes and our affairs are in tangle,
which even the smartest lawyer is at
loss even to unravel. We shall not
mention here the worry it causes to
our heirs, deprived Of the property for
years perhaps, the expenses connected
with il in carrying the case from slow
court TO slower court, aud slowest
court, until finally it gets back, if II
gets back at all, TO those for whom we
intended it, and there is nothing left.
Few minutes work would have
obviated all this trouble.
As few people know anything about
making will, we shall give briefly the
general rules that must guide every
one in fulfilling that most important
duty:
lst.-A verbal will is of no value
whatever.
2d.-A viii may be made before =
notary public, written by him, read to
and signed by the persons who makes
il, in the presence of three witnesses,
if ii is in the place where the teststor
lives, aud five witnesses, if it is some
where else. That is the nuncupative
will.
3d.-A mystic or secret will is one
the contents of which is known only
10 the tes;aior. IL is handed sealed TO
l Notary, in presence of seven wit
nesses, who sign with him [Notary]
he proces-verbal written by the
Notary on the envelope containing the
secret will.
These two wills, the nuncupative
md the mystic, though good if all the
be complied with, are often
broken aud of no value, on account of
ome point OF law that has been
neglected. and thus the intention of
he testator is frustrated.
4th.-A will, however, that cannot
'e broken, is the Geographic will, and
t is the simplest of all. Any one,
nan or woman, can make such will,
nd there is no need Of Notary or wit
esses; only the following formalities
must be observed:
1t nut be entirely acritten, dated and
igned by the hand Of the person acho
sokes it,
1t may be written on an ordinary
beet of paper, sealed or unsealcd, and
nay be made anywhere, by man or
roman, in the Stale or out Of the
late, and it is good everywhere. No
xcuse therefore for any one, man or
roman, who has anything to dispose
f not to make will of this kind. and
lus TO save his heirs worry, trouble
nd expenses.
Whilst you are able and in good
ealth, attend to yoDr affairs; see to
our policies, have taem changed in
me If you wish and especially make
will, if you have anything 10 will.
Under no consideration, however,
art with your property whilst you q
re alive; il is better to have your
,ildren to look up to you, than for ,
~ latter on to have 10 look upl :