The evening times., 1896-11-23

home A search was made for a VIII
but it was not discovered for several wee Ks,
then a slip OF paper, receipt, showed that
Mr. Reynolds had box III the Ohio Ma
tional Bank OF this city. In II was found
will making several bequests, but leaving
the bulk of the property to his wife, W ho was
at the time it was made Mrs. Norton
The old gentleman had for several years
been paying court to the young widow, but
had not been able to induce her to marry
him. The will was dated about year be
fore his tragic death, and named an official
OF the bank and the eastern secretary of
the National Christian Association as ex-
ecutors. 1t was witnessed ny two official Is
OF the hank and was legally drawn up
by n notary, and under clrcum stances op-
posed 10 the idea of Illegal influence or CO.
ercion on the part OF the widow.
MIR. REYNOLDS ESTATE.
The value OF Mr.. Reynolds property is
not kno wn, as the lawyer in charge for the
widow cannot yet locate all Of it, 1t may
be less than $4,000 and perhaps $780,
600. The testator has brother living In
the West, and a nephew, an attorney, in
New York city.
During Mrs. Norton-R eynolds' stay in
the metropolis he called upon her and as
sured her that he would gladly relinquish
all his interest in the estate. 1t is fea -ed.
however, by Mrs. Reynolds friends that
the Western brother will enter a contest of
the will as soon as lie learns that he is not
named in it.
Mr.. Reynolds was strongly opposed to
secret societies during his lifetime, and the
bcuuests in the will were to several avowed
an,i-Masonc organizations.
Since the death of her last husband Mrs.
Reynolds has received a number OF letters
from the Italian, and in nearly every one
r,a, dc for uot tt-r;t
her that she has enemies, and unless she
has him as an ali y she cannot hope TO gain
the estate left by her husband.
The letters have been placed in the hands
of a lawyer, and he will take steps "a
protect his client Mrs Reynolds and heI
husband were members of the First Con
gregational Church, and the lady bears a
reputation for kindness and charity. Hell
friends are deeply indignant that her grief
has been made a matter of notoriety, and
they cordially hope that she will receive
the estate willcd her by Mr. Reynolds.
HER STORY.
A Times reporter saw Mrs Reynolds
in the handsome home Of her stepmothcr
Mrs Harvey, in LIE Droit Park. The elder
lady counseled herstepdaughter not to talk
but finally they told of the blackmailing
letters Mrs. Reynolds has been a pretty
woman, and is stiI attractive. She has re-
fined, courteous InaunerS, and n tmid way
of expressing herself. She is worried ant
nervous During her conversation she
clasped and unclasped her hands without
ceasing.
This italian is way, way. beneath me
oh, SO far Why, there is nothing about him
that would be considered attractive. He
told me of his misfortunes. l pitied him,
gave him money many times, some of Mr..
Norton's clothes and even furniture. Then
he began to write letters, and am afraid
now to go out of doris.
HE lies in whiting, and, thinking him
crazy, 1 fear he will do something to conf
promise my name. Oh, it is so hard, and
/ have tried to be good to him because he
was SO poor and had a famil to support
Il have known Mrs. Norton since she be-
came my adopted daughter, at the age Of
SIXTEEN" said Mrs. Harvey, land know
she is good woman. 1 regret deeply the
notoriety given her. There was no occa-
SION for it. She married an old man who
loved her, but who, unfortunately, lived
only few days. The publication of the
marriage and death notices on one day was
what led to all this most undesirable pub
licity. She has done nothing wrong and
should be let alone"