The Washington times., 1894-10-15
THEIR FORTUNE In A VEST
Two Ladies Greatly Benefited by OBJ
tanning an Old Garment.
1T BELONGED TO THEIR UNCLE
Two Letters Were Found Which Enabled
Them TO Set Aside His Will in Which
They Had Been Omitted Through Misrep-
reservations by Their Brothers,

The old vest Of former well-to-do bachelor
Of Boonton, n. J., played an important part
in a litigation in which Washington parties
are interested. The accidental discovery in
il OF two letters served TO turn the verdict in
favor Of Two nieces VINO had been cut of
without a penny from the old bachelors snug
little fortune.
BY the decision just handed down by the
court of appeals of New Jersey the viii of
William Stewart, Of BooDton, is set aside and
all his nephews and nieces come in for their
proportionate share Of the inheritance.
The suit to set aside the will had been in
stigated by Mrs. Ella Jordan, wife Of Edward
/. Jordan, secretary Of the Liquor Dealers
Association. OF this city. and her sister. Miss
Mary Stewart, also Of this city. The defend
ants in the suit were John and Henry c.
Stewart brothers of the two women men
toned. and the infant children Of William NJ.
Stewart. another brother, now deceased.
The parties involved were children and
grandchildren Of John Stewart, a aWell-known
stOne-cutter Of this city. Two years ago
William Stewart left his snug little property
TO enter into another life. He had been a
peculiar character, but one much respected
in his community. He was most deyout
Christian: a stern. old Scotch Presbyterian,
and one possessing strong hatred for the
Catholic faith and its followers. When he
died his will gave his property, which was
valued at about $4,000. one-hah To his
nephew, John Stewart: one-fOurth to Henry
c. Stewart. and the remainder TO the infant
children Of William NJ. Stewart.
Mrs Jordan and Miss May Stewart eX-
pressed strong surprise that they had not
been included among the benedciaries. The
mystery was not solved for some time after
Mr. SteWart's death. The old vest contained
the KEY to the situation.
The vest. il seems. had been given to Miss
Mary Stewart when she and her sister took
their departure from BOonton after attending
their uncle's funeral. The landlady had passed
il to them in a matter Of fact way. and Mary
thought she would bring il TO Washington for
her brother.
Before it got to her brother. however. sne
discovered two letters in il which aroused
her curiosity. She read them and then be-
came highly indignant. They were from her
brother John to her uncle William.
The first one had intimated 10 the old man
that the two women had wanted 10 call in 4
Catholic priest at the time of their mother
death, and stated that mo Catholic need ap-
ply The other had informed him that their
mothers funeral had reminded them Of an
Irish wake
The old mans viii was made shortly after
the receipt Of these letters. SO preiudiced
had he been against the Catholics that he re-
solved to deprive the two nieces whom be
supposed had deserted the religion OF their
father from being benelciaries Of his will
The knowledge Of the unjust accusation Of
their brother led the nieces to object 10 the
will being probated. In the orphans court
at Boonron, after a lengthy trial, the viii was
ordered set aside. II was proven false that
Mrs Jordan and Miss Stewart were Catholics
or had done what the brother had made the
old man believe they had.
The suit was appealed to the chancellor.
who sustained the will. but upon further ap-
peal by the plaintiffs to the court of appeals
the viii was ordered set aside. An equitable
division viii now be made among the nephews
and nieces.
LawyerJ J. H. Ralston. OF the firm Of Ralston
& Siddons, Of this city, appeared for tho
nieces. while !. Cabell Williamson appeared
in behalf Of the infant children OF William N.
Stewart. LEGAL lawyers represented the
brothers.