The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-20
JOHN RAUB LEFT NO Will
Will Be a Struggle Over Position of
Administrator.
LEFT CONSIDERABLE PROPERTY
Attorney Hannah Argues Before Register
Of Wills Hopkins That the One Who
viii Administrate on Estate of Dc.
ceased Must be Nearest Relative.

Register of Wills William S. Hopkins
Is in IA predicament somewhat after the
fashion of the plight the ancient and
esteemed King Solomon found confront
ing him when he was required to adjudi-
cate the claim of the two mothers who
both contended for the same child.
John w. Raub. who had never been
married, boarded at 23l South Ninth
street. in the family of Mrs. Martha j.
Snover. He led quiet bachelors life
and through energy and enterprise ac-
cumulatW a fortune Of perhaps, $4,000.
The property consisted of n farm in
Spring Brook township, real estate in
Benton township "A small property on
Jefferson avenue, some real estate in
Dunmore and IA good sized amount of
personal property.
Two weeks ago he became Ill of grip,
which developed into acute pneumonia,
and after "a ten days sickness ne died,
without making Il distribution of his
property. The funeral was held last
week. Register of Wills Hopkins has
been appealed to in the appointment of
an administrator and there is where
the balance of law must come in to- de-
eide who shall be the administrator,
since there are more than one relative
seeking the trust.
Stating the Case to the Register.
At o'clock yesterday afternoon the
parties interested appeared In the regis
ter's Office and their claims were heard
by Deputy Register James Hopkins.
Attorney II. NJ. Hannah was present in
the interest of Mrs. Helen NJ. Clark, of
Benton township. who claims to be a
first cousin of the deceased. She be-
lieves that she Is entitled to the appoint
ment Of administrators on the ground
that she is the nearest relative now liv-
Ing in this state. Attorney Hannah
argues that the act of assembly pro-
vides that the administrator be the
nearest relative.
Attorney w. j. Tracy was present
in the interest of Undertaken A, r.
Raub, who is a distant relative of the
deceased. Mr.. Raub has been asked by
several relatives to become the admin
istrator and in compliance with their
requests he consented to ask for letters
of administration.
And Attorney Frank II. Okell was
| present to represent the claim of Mrs
Shower. with whom the deceased board.
ed. Mrs. Snover alleges that Raub, be-
fore he died, made a nuncupative will
the terms of which We're that she woulG
become the sole legatee Of all of his
personal property. This is a will mad,
| by word of mouth in the presence oi
witnesses and holds good in law. At
! torney Okell does not care who is aD
pointed administrator; all he seeks /:
to see that his client is not chiseled ou
of the bequest made to her.
'IIaIfBrothcr Is Living.
Then there is a half-brother living
Harrison Raub, who at present re
sides in Iowa. No attorney was pres
ent to plead his case, but telegram
have been sent to him apprising him o
his brothers. death. He has answered
them and will come on here as soon a
he arranges his affairs at his home.
The attorneys interested will fill
briefs with Register Hopkins and tn
coming of the half-brother will also b.
awaited The register gave notice tina
he has reserved the appointment of al
administrator.