Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-08-27
THE WILL MYSTERY
More in Regard to Judge Hollis
Last Testament.
WHAT HIS SERVANTS SAY
The House in Which He Lived
So Many Years.
\ POSSIBLE EXPLANATION

The will of the late Judge Advocate Gen.
eral Joseph Holt. the discovery of which
yesterday was fully reported in The STAR
remains as great a mystery as ever; GER
tainly so far as the office of the register
OF Wills Is concerned. AS was stated in
yesterdays Star. there appears to be no
doubt of the genuineness of the handwrit-
irgs of the testator of the distinguished
witnesses to the Observation-Disclosures
Grant, Gen. w. T. Sherman and the latter's
wife-in the minds of those familiar with
their handwritings and who have examined
the purported will. The three witnesses
are deceased, but that condition of the
case is not by any means an uncommon
ore. and the will is then proven by an
Identification of the signatures of the de-
ceased witnesses, and, of course, that of
the testator. Hence. If the signatures of
the testator and witnesses are proven to be
genuine the law then presumes that the
VIII Was both legally made and witnessed.
The VIII May Stand.
For these reasons the will which so mys-
teriously came to the register of wills yes
terday Will. unless a subsequent one be
found, or revocation of 1t be discovered,
stand In law as the only will of Judge Holt.
most
precise aud methodical ways and the fact
that he took pains to indorse on the back
or his unwitnoSsed viii of 1913, a reyoca-
ton OF 1t Is pointed out as evidence of his
care ard precision. 1t therefore occurred
to Col. Wright, the register of Wills ttis
morning that perhaps the will which
turned Up yesterday might likewise have
been revoked. AS explained in The Star.
the alleged VIII was received pasted upon
another sheet of writing paper, and TODAY
Gel. Wright and a Star reporter endeayorad
to ascertain whether or not it bore on its
pack revocation. But although it was
nelo between the eye and a strong light,
no writing. if any there be, could be dis
covered on its back.
The Conchmnn knows Nothing.
Col. Wright. believing that the will had
been forwarded to him by one of Judge
Hollis colored servants proceeded to Judge
Hollis residence on New Jersey avenue
yesterday afternoon for the purpose of
questioning them. He interviewed one of
them, Charlie, who was the deceased's
coachman. but the man expressed the
greatest surprise when informed that a
been received. The man, however SOL
EMMY assured Col. Wright that he knew
nothing whatever Of the alleged will, and
believed that none of his fellow servants
pressed upon the man the fact that if he
did know anything, however slight, of the
alleged will, 1t was his solemn duty to all
parties interested to tell what he knew.
Inc man, however, persisted In his first
declaration. that he knew absolutely moth
ing OF the instrument, and Col Wright
left the house without having gained the
slightest information. but still inclined to
believe that the will had been sent to him
by one of Judge Hollis servants.
Contest Expected.
That the discovery yesterday of the al
legged will will precipitate a contest over the
estate between Miss Hynes and Miss
Throckmorton. the sole and equal benefici-
aries under 1t, and the heirs at law, is not
for an instant doubted. This contest may
arise when Mr.. Luke Devlin, the executor
under the will, or the beneficiaries move
that 1t be admitted to probate. or the con-
test may be inaugurated when the bene-
ffciaries sue the National Safe Deposit,
Savings and Trust Company, the present
administrator Of the estate. for the recov-
cry Of the property. Miss Hynes is said to
be living in Kentucky, and Miss Throck-
morton with her parents in New York
Judge Holt had three brothers and sister,
Richard s., James j., Thomas, Robert s.
and Elizabeth Holt. James and Richard
died unmarried. Thomas died, leaving
Washington Holt as his sole heir. Robert
died. leaving six children; and Elizabeth,
marrying William Sterett. died, leaving
son. William G.. and daughter. Margaret.
now Mrs. Bowmer. These nephews and
nieces are the heirs at law of Judge Holt,
and they are expected to contest the will
received yesterday
Was Twice Married.
Judge Holt was twice married. His first
wife was Miss Hynes. and she bore him
a daughter, now dead. His second wife
was the daughter of Gov. Wicklffe of Ken
lucky, and she was survived by her hus-
band. The two beneticiaries under the al
legged will, Miss Lizzie Hynes and Miss
Josephine Holt Throckmorton, are ex-
pected here shortly, when, it is believed, a
motion will be made to probate the will.
Meantime, every effort will be made to
ascertain where the alleged will has re-
manned since Judge Hollis DEATH in whose
custody 1t has been, and by whom it was
forwarded to the register of wills. Very
naturally, both the benefciaries under it
and the heirs at law will feel anxious to
at tho city hall is that the alleged will was
accidentally discovered when old papers
Of Judge Holt were being destroyed by
fire, that 1t was retained for some time
by the person persons burning the pa
pers, and then sent to the register of wills,
the address being made in printed char
acters in order to disguise the identity of
the person sending 1t. By some, how
ever, 1t is coptended that years after max
ing the will Judge Holt became recon-
ciled to his relatives. and, believing that
a distribution of his estate under the law
would be perfectly fair and just to all of
lHeui ulrecteu SoiHe one 10 ouTH me Will,
and died believing shat it had been so de-
stroyed.
Judge Hollis Late Residence.
The mansion in which the late Judge Holt
spent half of his life Is 236 New Jersey
avenue southeast, at the corner of C
street. The place Is one Of the landmarks
of the capital 1t Is said the house was
built by Warren Hastings secretary, soon
after his return from India, and was in
tended as refuge for the conqueror of
the Indian empire had his impeachment
rendered his exile to this country desirable.
The old house, as Judge Holt often said,
was once the home Of Nellie Gusts after
her marriage. The architecture is of the
style made familiar by many old buildings
in Washington. The bricks used are larger
and rougher than those made in the days
Of machinery. From the rarely opened win
dows Of the third story a splendid view may
be had of the city the far-stretch;ne sur