The morning times., 1897-01-23
TRYING To BREAK A WILL
A Cayeat Filed to the Testament
of William C. Shuster.
A SUIT AGAINST TIE son
Two of the Grandchildren of the
Deceased Arethe Caveators-It Is
Claimed That the Deceased Was of
UDsOuud Mind for, Several Years
Prior TO His Death


A caveat to the viii OF the late william
c. Shuster was filed yesterday, by Gordon
and Gordon, attorneys for John Ward
Shuster and Elizabeth NJ. Shuster, grand
children of the DECEASED. The instrument
is dated March II, 1896, and it is charged
that it is not the true Will of the testator,
having been procured from him by undue
influence or fraud. The persons in whose
name the caveat is filed are the minor
grandchildren OF the testator, and are
represented in the case by their mother
and next friend. Mrs. Melville G. shuster.
The undue influence or fraud, it is claimed,
was exercised on the part of William NJ
Shuster, jr., the uncle OF the complainants,
and the greatest beneficiary under the
Will, as at present recorded.
Mr.. Shuster, sr., was seventy-four years
old at the time of his death, which oc-
Cured last January, and for five or six
years previous TO that event, so it is claimed
by the parties who bring the suit, was
OF unbalanced mind. This, they say. was
fact well known TO his entire circle Of
friends. Often he would be found wander
account OF himself.
His son, William it is further claimed
took advantage of his condition to bring
about an estrangement which had not
hitherto existed between his father and
his brothers widow, the mother OF the
children in whose interest the caveat is
filed. 1t was while he was under this in
fluence, it is stated, that the will which
bears the date OF March II, 1896. was
drawn up.
BY the terms OF this viii, the whole of
the property is bequeathed for life to the
widow with william NJ. Shuster as execu-
tor. Upon the death OF Mrs. Shuster,
ST., the executor is directed to pay $4,000
to himself and So 900 to his father sister,
Mrs. Rosena A Shuster. The remainder
of the estate is then to be divided into
four shares, one share each for himself
and his two brothers. Samuel ID. and Alvin
E. ShuSter and the fourth to go to the
children of Melville C. ShuSter deceased
j. e., the complainants in the suit.
But by the terms of the will, it is
Furthermore stated, William NJ. Shuster,
jr., as executor, has full and unlimited con
troll of the property. He is not required
to give bond, and furthermore is free to
sell or transfer any or all of the property
at his own discretion, without rendering
an account thereof to any one. 1t is
feared, therefore, by the cayeators that
lie will make such disposition of the prop
erty as would rebound to his own advan-
tage, and when the time comes to make
the final settlement there Will be nothing
to divide.
1t is further claimed that Mrs. William
M. Shuster, the present beneficiary of the
will, is unable on account OF extreme age,
to properly protect her interests. The
| grandchildren are upheld in their claims
| by the other two children of the testator,
! Samuel M. and Alvin E. Shuster.
The Shusters are among the Oldest and
most respected families of Washington.
| The father of the present heads of the
| family, William NJ. Shuster, was born in
this city in 1923 and resided here all his
| life. For more than half century he
conducted large dry goods establishment
on Pennsylvania avenue.
The husband of Mrs Melville c. Shuster,
| who, with her children, lives in COM
| Portable little home at No. 1925 Thirtieth
street north west, was, in life partner
/, with his father in this business. William
| NJ Shuster, jr., against whom the caveat
| is named, is one OF the best-known lawyers
| of this city, and live sat No. 1903 Fif-
| teenth street north west.
The other persons interested in the suit
| would make no statement.