The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-11-29
THE PURTNGr0N ESTATE.
Brought Into the Probate Court Sat-
urday.

mrs Purington Claims the Whole Of IL
Saws She Lent Her Husband the Money
Ills relations Claim 1t Was Gift.
In the Probate Court room Saturday
the arguments were heard in one of the
most important cases ever submitted to
referees in this State. Perhaps the sum
involved is the largest ever so submitted
The case arises out Of the estate of the
late George W. Purinton, OF Topsham,
who died May 81, 1897, leaving an estate
of which there was about sos, 900 in 9 cd
securities, and about $40. eco in doubtful
securities.
The deceased left a widow, Mrs. Mar
aaret Purinton, who is living in Tops
ham. She is in very poor health and is
unable to appear during the litigation
going on in her name.
The referees before whom the case has
been heard are Judge Peabody, of Port
land, Weston Thompson, Esq, of Bruins
wick, and Geo. B. Rundlett, ESD, of
Richmond. They were appointed by the
probate court of Sagadahoc County.
Charles W. Purinton left no will, so
his estate would naturally have been di-
vided according to law between his
widow, who in the absence of children
would have one half, and sister, Mrs.
Octavia Purinton, of Topsham, and two
nephews. Eugene Thomas of Topsham,
and W. W. Thomas. of Bowdoinham.
Between the widow and these relatiyes
of her husband there has arisen con-
fiot of interest, and this diversity was
recognized in the appointment of admin
istrators, one of them, Alonzo Purinton
of West BoWdoin being considered favor
able to the relatives of the deceased, and
Noble Maxwell, of Richmond, nephew
of the widow.
In the contest which has arisen Leslie
Cornish, Esq, of Augusta. represents
the widow, and Colonel J. w. Spauld-
ing, of Boston, the esta tie.
The controversy arose out Of the follow
ing situation: The widow was niece of
very wealthy man in Boston, Noble
Maxwell. When he died he left to her
S70,UoO in cash and $4,000 in securities.
Mrs. Purinton turned this cash over
to her husband, and also her dividends,
which she claims have amounted to
SEA, 900 additional. She claims that she
merely put these sums into his hands for
safe keeping and not as gift There
fore she claims also interest, hich
amounts to $25, 900 more. Thus the
widow claims that of the estate the sum
of 1925, 600 is her money, turned over to
lher husband by her from the property
eft her by her uncle, Noble Maxwell,
of Boston. There seems to be no dispute
that the husband received these sums.
But those representing the estate claim
that these sums of money were given to
Mr.. Purlnton by his wife, and that he
became the absolute owner, and not the
custodian merely, of the property.
OF course the practical decision of this
point is very important, since if Mrs. Pu-
rinton's claim is correct she will have
practically all of the estate, since her
claim amounts to more than the value of
the securities known to be good.
The testimony in the case was taken in
Sagadahoc County; and it is brought
here for argument only.
Col. Spaulding's argument occupied
the forenoon and Mr.. Cornish's the
afternoon. The interesting questions
centering around the prosperity of man
and wife, were gone into learnedly and
GIly, as bearing upon the point whether
Mrs. Purinton had given the money to
her husband out right, or merely put it
into his hands for keeping.
The referees-or more properly the
eommissioners-are required to report
their decision in January.