Evening star., 1897-03-19
TROUBLE ABOUT A WILL
Interesting Developments in Contest Over
E. W. Leach's Estate.
Attorney j. J. Darlington Presents
Charges In Court Against Attor-
ney j. H. Adriaans.

In the contest over the estate of the late
Ezra w. Leach, government employe,
who lived in Anacostia, and who died there
the 21st Of last December. leaving his es-
tate by will signed shortly before his death.
to Samuel H. Lucas, young colore1 man.
who lived with him for many years. Judge
Cox today ordered that the issues be sent
to the Circuit Court for trial there by a
jury. The judge also directed Attorney
John Fl. Adriaans. representing the heirs
at-law, to answer by Friday next an al
legation made against him of unprofes-
sional conduct, by Mr.. ]. J. Darlington, on
behalf of the beneficiary under the will,
and its executor Chas. r. Burr. The es-
tate is said to be worth not more than
$1,000.
The will was filed for probate about ten
days after the testator's death, and the
18th of last month caveat was filed by
Mr. Adriaans on behalf of some seventeen
or more persons. residing In Maine, Massa-
chusetts, Vermont and New York, who. as
next of kin, charged that the instrument
was not valid one. They charged that it
had been procured through undue influ-
ence. fraud and compulsion, also alleging
that the testator was not at the time it
was made of sound and disposing mind.
They asked therefore, that the issues be
sent to the Circuit Court for trial by jury.
Allegations Against Mr.. Adriaans.
nswering. the beneficiary and executor
today wholly denied the allegations, and
charged that Mr.. Adriaans after the death
of the testator, visited several of the New
England states for the purpose of inducing
the heirs-at-law to contest the will. They
claimed that Mr.. Adriaans represented to
them that the estate is worth from S15.OG0
to SSiotp: that the will vas drawn by
colored lawyer at the very last moment
when Leach was suffering great agony:
that the sole beneficiary, Lucas, was d
mere servant, and that the will is in
valid instrument. They also alleged that
Mr.. Adriaans said he would bear all the
expenses incideatal TO .ae suit. and that
if he succeeded in setting the will aside he
would be satisfied to take one-fourth of
the assets of the estate. The beneficiary
and executor suggested that the court
should not consider such caveat, and
they asked that a rule issue against Mr..
Adriaans requiring him to show cause
why he should be retained officer CT
the court in view of his alleged unprofes-
sional action in the case.
Mr.. Darlington also read a statement
signed by Archelaus l.. Reed and James
F. Watson. jr. two of the caveators, in
which they said that they had EMPLOYED a
Massachusetts lawyer to investigate the
statements of Mr.. Adriaans, and that as a
result of his investigation they desired to
withdraw from the contest over the will.
Further Proceedings.
Replying to Mr.. Darlington, Nj Tracy
l. Jeffords insisted that the charge against
Mr. Adriaans is without foundation, as
he would show to the courts satisfaction in
due time. But that charge, he claimed,
had nothing whatever to do with the ques-
ton of the validity of the will, and he
asked therefore that the issue be certified
to the Circuit Court for trial.
Mr.. Darlington said he was perfectly will
ing that the issues should go there bur
not until the caveators. all non-residents.
give a bond TO cover costs. He also insist
ed that the rule to show cause should is
sue against Mr.. Adriaans.
Judge Cox finally fixed the amount of the
bond at SJhI. and directed Mr.. Adriaans to
answer by Friday next. He also appointed
Mr.. Jeffords and Henry A. GrIswold as
collectors of the estate.
Mr.. Adraans stated to Judge Cox that
the charge of unprofessional conduct made
against him was unfounded one, and
promised to show the court next Friday.