The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-01-27
Statements About Yesler Estate
Startlingly Confirmed.
ARRESTS FOR DESTROYING IT.
Mrs. Yesler, Drs. Jordan and Van
Buren, Charged With Conspiracy.
The Wide left . Su acisut Competence,
Lowman the Yes,er Block, the City
the Remainder, With Lowman IS Sole
Executor-How tho Old Pioneer Died
His Wife Caught Burning Papers.


IIGESoEg q week ago that the late Henry
J.. iesier left will received startling con-
strmation yesterday in the arrest of his
willow, Mrs. Minnie z. Yesler, DIR. ]. Eu-
gene Jordan and DR.. III. Martin Van
Bnren on the charge of having made away
with it. At the same time facts in con-
neciion with Dir. Yesler's last days are
brought out that throw a strong light on
.he circumstances leading up to the al
legged crime
The provisions OF the missing will were
learned by the PosT-INTELLIGEscERy ester-
Gay in more definite form, and they are,
In their general character, as was then
stated in this paper. 1t was read by Mr..
Yesler to friend whom he had selected
for a witness about three months before
his death. and was witnessed by that gen.
tleman, so that, if the other witness knows
its contents. ii can be proved and Its pro-
visions carried out, even If il has been
destroyed.
This will makes J. d, Lowrnan sole ex-
ecutor. and instructs hiIa TO continue pay
ing off the debts, as he has been doing,
out of the income. To Mrs. Yesler it
bequeaths the building occupied by the
National Bank of Commerce, a fine piece
of property near Lake Washington, $50, 900
with which to build residence On it and
an annuity of 5000 for life To J. ID.
Lowman it leaves the Yesler building, on
Pioneer place, now nearly completed. with
its site. All the remainder of the estate,
after the debts are paid. is left to the city
OF Seattle, with provision that the old
Yesier residence is 10 be used as public
library. The city will thus acquire a mag
nifeent estate OF nearly if not quite
100000
At the time Of II. L. Yesler's death it
was generally supposed that he left will
and, although it was not found when the
house was searched, the impression was
given out that it was in the possession of
Judge J. Il. Lewis. who at that time was
in California. Inquiries were sent to him
concerning the matter. and his reply was
10 the effect that he knew nothing of the
will. Recent developments establish the
fact that these steps were only the begin
ming OF a vigorous search for the docu-
ment, which was believed to have been in
existence few days before Mr.. Yesler
died. Who the prime mover in the case
was is reiIgiously kept from the public,
but it Is understood to be j. D. Lowman.
Mr. Yesler's trustee.
Six weeks ago yesterday, which would
bang the date very near the time of Mr.
fesler's death, man whose name is said
/, he Heroid came to Seattle and COM
isenced TO inves tigate. He had with him
man whose name is Joseph +. Brown,
who swore out the warrants that were
served on Mrs. Minnie YesIer J. Eugene
Jordan and IL. Martin Van Buren, yester-
day morning, charging them with DESTROY
ing the Yesler will. For six weeks after
Coming to Seattle the detectives worked
on the case Their presence was kept a
profound secret. Even the local detective
agencies did not learn that such decided
steps were being taken in the case that
was talked of more or less all over the
ri'y and even the state The identity of
tie detectives was kept from the
police and all this time they were
working to establish the fact of the
existence of will and the date at
which it was last seen. Certain informa-
ton came into their possession that led
them to the belief that will, the beneti
ciaries of which were the city of Seattle
J. ID. Lowman, Minnie Yesler and Others.
was in existence December IA, 1892. and
that il was either destroyed or hidden
January rs. 1899. If the will had not been
destroyed, its location was evidently not
known to the detectives, because they be-
faNfNh NAaS ~ NC tiAiAtI III tie Sale
deposit vaults OF either the Mer-
chants National bank. the King County
bank. the Russell house, where Van
Buren, and Jordan lived, or the Yesler
mansion. itself. The fact was established
beyond doubt. however, that will had
been made. and they believed it should be
IN existence.
While these investigations were going
il iS evident that the racra
senting the J. ID. Lowman interest in the
Iesler estate We're closely watching the
proceedings. The time set for the de-
movement was Wednesday night, and il il
learned from reliable source that one of
the detectives was following Dr. Jordan
during the day while he was in Tacoma.
and even while he was at the theater in
the evening.
4. shout o'ciock on the evening named
John Fairfield. the attorney who is repre-
scntiug J. ID. bowman III the criminal
matter rs related To the case: Joseph f.
Brown, the detective. and Eugene VI. Carr.
o. the hrm OF Preston, Carr 4 Preston. an.
other represcn tative OF the Low man inter.
est in the Yesler estate. went to Justice AZ
ihe Peace Bart ]. Humphreys residence
liuS James street, where joan F. Brown.
the detective. sNore 10 = complaint Chare.
'ne Minnie Iesle-, widow Of the deceased
Henry l.. \ ester; d. ]. Eugene Jordan ana
Il. Martin VanBuren with forgery IN de-
steoyine Henry l.. Iesler's viii. The
complaint IS IS follows:
Joseph y. Brown oa.h says that a, Seattle
December 10. lS92 Minnie Yesier J. Eugene
Jordan ana H. Martin Van buren, ga COMM,
the crime al forgery.
Then sal there the said Minnie yssler J. Fu
gepe jordan ana II. Martin Van Buren, a:t
falsely on December l6. lso1, destroy the fes;
will aud testament Of Henry /. YeSier deceased
wi,a intent 90 detraui tie CITY OF Seattle, 4
municipal corporation; James n. Iowman and
The other aeneacisries under the said iasr W.
ard testament of said Hsary /. Yes.eE, de
ceased.
With these documents III their posses
SION tine party returned 10 the Bailey block
and sent out 20 lind John Van Horn, con.
stable in Justice Humphreys court He
vas at the thester and it was l. o'clock
when they finally found him. Van Horn
! was taken down IL front OF the Bailey
block, where were collected the attorney
interested in the case, and introduced to
the detectives. The man known as Harold
was the leader aad Brown his assistant
Copies OF the warrants were given Il
Van Horn and he ia company with The
tao detectives. started out "a capture nrs
Jordan and Van Ruren They did not