The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1896-08-15

aEaDs LIKE A ROMANCE.
A Peculiar and Interesting Brooke
County Case.

:.
County Case.
The usual quiet town of Wellsburs
is somewhat excited over few events
which have transpired there during
the past few days.
The fact that the Circuit Court O
the county rendered verdict that re
yersed fortune, rewarding the right
ful heirs and causing the parties who
had Incorporated it to flee tn,
country, all very much in the style o.
the conventional novel. naturally
caused comment, and soon became the
sole topic of conversation, as the par.
ties are all prominent wellsburg citi
gems.
About ten years ago David Bueh.
anan and his two children, Leah and
Gambrill, lived in the West, neal
Chicago, his wife having died some
lyears before. He was wealthy and
carried large life insurance policy.
He was preparing to go into business
with gentleman named Lacocl1,
when he became i'll and died. Instead
Of his property descending in its prop
err channels, according to the laws OF
affinity, and becoming the property of
his children, his mother came West
and was appointed Administrative OF
her sons estate. However. instead of
holding the property in trust for her
two grand children, she entrusted 1t
to her twouremaining sons. who man
aged to lose it in some manner. Soon
after this they alse died, neither Of
them leaving an heir TO inherit the
large insurance policies which each of
them carried upon their lives, and
which naturally reverted to their
mother. 1t was supposed that the
money spent or lost by the two sons
and belonging TO the estate of David
Buchanan, would have been made
good from the money secured from the
companies by whom the policies had
been issued, but the facts in the case
indicate that this was not done.
Shortly after the death of her son
David, Mrs. Buchanan came east with
her two grand children and made her
home in Wellsburg, the family con-
sisting of Mrs. Buchanan, her unmar-
ried daughter, Mollie, and her two
grand children, Leah and Grambrill
They lived happily together and all
went well until December, 1898, when
Mrs. Buchanan was taken seriously i'll
and died. On her death bed she des-
troyed will that she had made few
years previous, which divided her
property equally among her daughter
and grand children, and made new
will leaving her property entirely to
her daughter Miss Mollie, then spins
tel, being on the shady side of forty.
She gave as her reason for doing SO
that Miss Mollie was too old to ever
think of marrying and that she would
look after Miss Leah and Master Gam
brill's interests. But here the old
lady was evidently mistaken, not re-
membering that one is never too old
to resist Cupids shy darts, especially
when the Cupid in this case was also
including in his aim TO hit the several
thousands of dollars possessed by the
said Miss Mollie, for Mrs. Buchanan
had not yet been dead q year, when
Miss Mollie became Mrs. James Miller.
From that time on the pathway of the
grand children was not one of roses,
and they were compelled to abandon
the old homestead and go to boarding
at hotel.
Things went on in this way until
several months ago, when Miss Leah
paid visit to Baltimore, Nd. While
there she met an old and beloved
friend OF her father. Naturally TAX
ing an interest in the welfare Of his
friends children, he was very much
surprised TO learn, after inquiring from
Miss Leah, the condition of circum-
stances, that Miss Leah was working
in this city to help support herself
and her brother. She told him her
sad story, and he Immediately told her
that she was the victim of some GER
tain peculiar circumstances and placed
in her possession certain facts and
proofs, and told her of her early life
and that of her father, which always
had been kept secret from her He
told her at the time of her fathers
death, Mr.. Buchanan was preparing
to form partnership and had in his
possession over $40, 600 besides carry
ing a heavy life insurance policy.
Upon returning home, Miss Buch-
90, .,x.d l. l.x.< .A.,tx
ney w. p Hubbard and he searched
the records and found the Baltimore
gentleman's story TO be true. Suisse
quently, he brought civil action
against Mrs. Miller, nee Buchanan, to
render an accounting and give over
the money rightfully belonging to his
clients, and also applied for an injunc-
tion restraining them from using his
clients property.
Mr.. and MRS. Miller were not dis
posed to give up without fight, and
they retained rs their counsel II. O.
Hervey and j. G. Palmer & Son.
A few days ago, seeing that things
were going against them, the Millers
made an effort to try and convert into
money whatever property, goods and
chattels that they were able to sell,
and when the court rendered its YER
dict they silently bid Wellsburg an
adieu and left for parts at the present
time unknown. However, it is re-
ported that they are now enjoying the
salubrious climate of the Dominion of
Canada.
A certain prominent citizen Of
Wellsburg purchased a farm from Mr.
and Mrs. Miller, few days before
their departure they told him If he
would pay up, they would give him
large discount on the purchase price,
S., 900. But he had previously gotten
a tip from friend, who told him,
perhaps he would have to pay twice,
so he refused.
The decision OF the court, in one in
stance, requires that Mr.. and Mrs.
James Miller pay the sum of 81, 900
to Leah and Grimbrill Buchanan and
that they be given possession of the
old homestead and property connect
ed Herewith, and that they be given
an accounting of their fathers estate.
As Mr. and Mrs. Miller have left
town all their goods and personal prop
perty, consisting of Mrs. Miller's valu
able wedding presents, have been lew
led upon by the court, and they will
be sold at public sale on July Doth. =
As everything in regard to the case
has been kept secret until the goods
had been levied upon, it caused SUR
prise when it became known, and is