Evening star., 1895-08-28
James Cochran Gives His Theory
as to Judge Hollis Will.
IT Was AMONG SQUIRE fAlfS PAPERS
The Intimacy Between the Judge
and the Justice.
MR.. SLOAN'S SUGGESTION

PLANTATION of the mysterious receipt by the
register Of wills Monday last of an alleged
will of the late Judge Advocate Joseph
Holt, was given to a Star reporter this
morning by James B. Cochran. colored
timer of this city. Cochran believes that
the will was placed In the custody of the
late Capt. James A. TAFT, who was for
many years one of the District justices Of
the peace. to be delivered to the proper
authorities by him upon the death Of the
testator.
TAFT and Judge Holt Were Intimate.
Capt. TAFT, or Squire TAFT, as ne was
more commonly designated. for many years
occupied an office on Pennsylvania avenue
southeast between I'd and Sd streets, prac-
ticaliy in the Immediate neighborhood Of
Judge Holt's residence. Next door to
Squire Tait's office Cochran worked for
and he frequently saw Judge Holt visit
Squire Tait's Office. In fact, says Coch-
ran, Judge Holt and the old squire were
quite intimate. Both were ardent Union
the first companies of District men, and
they were of about the same age. Cochran
says that while he has no personal knowl-
edge Of the fact he Is very positive that
ceived by Col. Wright Monday. in the Gus
tody Of Squire TAFT, and that the latter
placed 1t In his office safe. One reason for
SO believing. explained Cochran. Is the fact
friends, Squire TAFT attended to practical
ly all of Judge Hollis minor legal matters
Squire Tnfrs Office Burned.
About eight or nine years ago the office
Of Squire TAFT was destroyed by fire.
which is said to have originated in the
shop Of Mr.. Marsh. Up to that time, says
Cochran, Mr.. Marsh and the old squire
were quite friendly. but believing that the
fire was the result of Mr.. Marsh's negli-
gence, in his alleged careless storing Of
gasoline, Squire Tait's friendship for Mr..
Marsh ceased from that time, the captain
believing that Mr.. Marsh was indirectly
responsible for the loss Of many Of his
valuable papers and records. Squire Taits
safe, says Cochran, withstood the fierce
degree, but many of the papers and books
II contained were badly charred and
scorched, and. firmly convinced that the
safe at the time Of the fire contained Judge
condition. After the fire. when the safe
was opened, Cochran thinks that the
papers were overhauled. but that in some
way Judge Hollis will was overlooked or
forgotten. Or. as he suggested. both
Squire TAFT and Judge Holt may have he
come convinced that 1t had been destroyed
by the fire: According to the signed mem
orandum found upon Judge Hollis desk
after his death. he stated that there was a
will of his dated in 1885, Placing the time
OF the fire at nine years ago, the year
Holt believed the will OF 1873 to have been
burned Is greatly strengthened.
The VIII of 1850.
Squire TAFT. II the will of 1886 was really
made. was probably made aware of that
fact by Judge Holt So. then. If the old
squire subsequently discovered the one CT
1873. he probably retained 1t. no doubt with
Judge Hollis permission. because Of the
distinguished autographs 1t bore. Or, sup
posing the will of 1878 to have been depos-
tied In the safe. as Cochran believes, 1t is
possible that both Judge Holt and Squire
TAFT died believing that 1t had been de-
stroyed in the fire.
1t is not at all improbable. however. that
1t was In the possession Of Squire TAFT
when Judge Holt died, August 1. 1894. But
IL 1t was. 1t Is strange that its existence
was not made known to the authorities by
the old squire before he died. about three
months ago. But Capt. TAFT was more than
previous to his death was in very feeble
health, 1t is said. Therefore, because of
his age and enfeebled condition, he may
have forgotten its existence. or he may
have remained silent because of his belief
that tho will of 1886 would shortly be
found. Be that as 1t may, no one who was
aware of the old 'squire's high character
and integrity for moment believes that
proper authorities.
Who Forwarded 1t to the Resixters
But If he died having 1t in his possession,
who discovered 1t. and when and by whom
was 1t forwarded to the register of Wills?
Upon Squire Tait's death. it Is said that a
daughter Miss Julia TaiD took possession
of all of her fathers effects. Therefore It
Is but natural to assume. supposing the
will Of 1873 to then have been in her
fathers effects. that Miss TAFT discovered
1t, and, II that be so, that she mailed 1t to
the register Of wills. But the will was
mailed here last Saturday afternoon, and
Miss TAFT, Star reporter was informed to-
day, has been absent from the city for the
last ten days OF course. Miss Tait may
have sent 1t here under cover to be mailed,
but that explanation Is hardly reasonable
one. Then. again, even il the old squire
did die with the will In his possession 1T is
not wholly certain that it was found among
his effects by his daughter Indeed, she
may nave thrown 1t away, among lot of
what she imagined were valueless papers
1t may then have caught the eye of some
one who recognized the value of the docu-
ment because of the autographs of the
famous people 1t bore. This person may
have realized later on that 1t was his or
her duty to forward it to the authorities,
and not caring to disclose his or her iden-
tity for one reason or another, sent it in an
anonymous manner.
For many years, stated Cochran today,
Oracle Wood now Mrs. Wilson, a coIored
woman, was employed by Squire TAFT as
both a messenger and clerk. and Cochran
suggested that perhaps she could give the
authorities valuable Information about the
will.
COchran's Character.
Upon inquiry by Star reporter at police
headquarters it was learned that Cochran is
a sober. Industrious man, and enjoys an
excellent reputation for veracity. By a
Star reporter he was presented to Col.
Wright, the register Of wills. by whom he
was closely questioned. Col. Wright will
endeavor to Investigate Cochran's theory
and see what. if anything, there is in 1t.
Beyond the information given him by
Cochran Col. Wright stated this afternoon
that he had none other as to the will of
1878. or, indeed, of another. The will is
now inclosed in glass frame. and numer-
Gus people have called to examine 1t.
The grandson of the late Squire Fait told
q Star reporter that he saw his grand
fathers papers after his death. and many
of them were scorched, having been burned
in the fire that occurred next to his office
on Pennsylvania avenue eight years ago.
In examining his grandfather's papers he
lad not seen any document purporting to
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