The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-03-24
THAT OLD WILL CASE.
Gathering of the Clans who Want a
Share of Davis Money.

| share of Davis Money.
The different claims connected will
the Davis estate are again gathering
In Butte and IL is rumored that tn,
biggest contest OF them all was inau
gurated last Friday when Mrs. Bow
dom filed her petition to set aside the
probate OF the will. Mr.. Ketchum, one
| OF her New York attorneys. is in the
| city and will remain here for some
time to prepare for the contest The
citation which was issued in the case
has been served on nearly all the par
ties and is returnable at o'clock next
saturday when a request will be made
to have the matter set for hearing.
Mr.. Ketchum. during an interview
yesterday. stated to a Standard report
er that Mrs. Bowdoin had entered the
contest in good faith and would come
10 Montana to press her claim to a
share in the estate. believing that she
would get justice. She was entirely
Ignored in the settlement between the
Root faction and the John A. Davis
people, as were also several other
brothers and sisters of the deceased
millionaire. 1t is understood that all
the eastern claimants. who were ig-
nored by that settlement are interested
In the Bowdoin contest and that the
whole Davis will case will be brought
over and that a great deal that is new
will be brought out in the new con-
test.
]. Howard Smith. better known as
California Smith, who was a promi-
nent figure in the trial Of the Root con-
test because of his whiskers. arrived
In town from San Francisco yesterday
and turned up at the court house the
moment he struck town and examined
the Bowdoin petition. He next called
on Mrs. Bowdoin's attorneys and in
formed them that he would see them
again. Mr.. Smith is as mysterious as
ever He never talks to reporters, but
1t is stated on what seems to be good
authority that he will also enter a new
contest within a few days in behalf of
his wife, who is a niece of the dead
millionaire. 1t is also stated that, be-
sides his own immense fortune to fight
the case with, he is backed by a
wealthy San Francisco syndicate form
ed for the purpose of contesting the
probated will. AS the time for filing
contests expires on Friday, Mr.. Smith
will probably get to the front in a day
OF two with some move, though ii is
possible that he may propose to pool
Issues with Mrs. Bowdoin.
Then there is the noted Thomas JEFF
ferson Davis from the famous Salt
Creek township of Iowa. He, too, is
In Butte. He has been here for several
days, but has kept himself very quiet
Yesterday morning, however, he made
social call on his cousin, Andrew ].
Davis, at the bank, and let him know
that he was still on deck. Tom Jeff
was one of the fortunate ones men,
toned in the will which has been ad-
mitted to probate. but 1t is stated that
he sold his interest in the estate very
early In the original contest and that
he is now out in the cold but has some
hopes of coming in somewhere some
time. Tom JEFF has been visiting some
of his wife's relatives near Missoula
for some time and came from there TO
Butte when he heard of the Bowdoin
contest. He is not saying much, but
Is keeping cases on a few things as
they turn up. There is some suspicion
that he arrived in Butte by appoint
ment with Mr.. Smith, and that there
may be hen on somewhere in their
direction.
representative of the Root faction
and another for Harriet Sheffield are
expected to turn up in Butte before
Saturday to keep watch on their re-
spective interests.
The latest widow of Judge Davis, |
who turned up in California about a
year ago may also be expected to do
something desperate between this and
though IL is stated that her |
case is being looked after by the San |
Francisco syndicate, which is also TAX |
ing care of the claim of Eleanor Cal |
houn, the actress. who says she is, or
was. dearly beloved niece of the late |
Judge Davis.
The long contested will was admitted |
to probate on March %, 1895, and under |
the statutes of Montana contests can |
be entered at any time within a year.
and as the time will expire on Friday, |
the entries must be completed by that |
day or they will be shut out. There
are prospects of lots Of fun and excite
ment.