Arizona republican., 1898-08-17
A MISSING WILL.
Another Event in inc ROdrke
 EStafe Litigation.
A Curious and Surprising Document Recently Found Was Filed in the Probate Court Yesterday.

An unexpected and almost over
 whelming element of interest was thrown into the Soarke estate litiga- tion by the production of lost will, and the filing Of it yester- day in probate court by Mr
 T. D. Bennett, along with a peti-
 ton fer it's admission to probate
 James Roarke, a wealthy ranchman
 near Wickenburg, died something
 more than six months ago, leaving an estate in cattle and other property valued at from s45.G0O to S50,OQ0 His surviving relatives in this part Of the
 country were a brother, William Roarke. sister, Mrs R. W Baxter, since dead, nephew William James Roarke. a brotheG-in-Iaw, F L. Brill
 It was not known or suspected that there was will. Application for let ters of administration were made by Alexander Stevens, representing the interests Of William Roarke, MT Bax- ter and others. NIr. Brill was also an applicant for letters. but he subse- quently withdrew his apprication and the name of his daughter, Cora Brill. was substituted. After a somewhat spirited contest Miss Brill was given letters upon furnishing bond Of $70,000. and she is HOW in charge of the estate The other side appealed to the district court. In some way it was subsequently, learned that there was a will in which William James hn sole 1egatee. It was also learned that this will was in possession of the man who drew 1t up. but whose name is withheld. After some delay possession of it was obtained
 The will is 9 curious document set ting forth not only the things the tes- tatOr wanted, but also the things he intended to do. There is now and then an attempt in it to follow legal form. It bears the signature of Roarke and two witnesses beside that of the n1An who wrote it. There is very little blank space on the paper on which it was written Below the name of the writer there was an un- occupied area which had been filled in with what seems to 1.-the picture of q rail fence. The writer was asked why he had decorated the document in that manner He replied: I didn't i want to leave any room for some other son-of-agun to write anything on.'' Whether his idea was to head off a codicil or to prevent a fraudulent ad- i fition is not certain The paper looks as ir it might be Of any age between ten and fifty years It is also stained and torn and sets forth the wishes of Roar1Te n the following words: "4Wickenburg' Ranch Wickenburg.
 Maricopa County, Arizona Territory.
 March 15. 1891
 Knew all men by these presents:
 "Tbat I, James Roarke. of aforesaid county and territory, do this day agree to reserve from the proceeds Of my ranch and stock the sum of $50 per month commencing January last past, 1894. to October 1, 1898, when my nephew, William James .Roarke, will attain the age of 25 years. I will then give him the amount in a lump sum so as, to enable. him to go into the stock business with me, as I will en- deavor to buy out my brothers forth interest in cattle and horses so that me and my nephew would be the sole owners, of the, R, brand of horses and cattle; s,i 1t, was flor that purpose I went to Ireland to bring my nephew to this country, to help me take care of my property and to also better his condition As no other relative has got, any. claim on my affections but my nephew, William J. Roarke, I will look to him only to care for me in my. sdeclinipg years I willaexpeet him at athe age of twenty-fi* -fi*e1to live on my stock ranch two miles north of Wick Eenburg. Yayapat county, $wfere the bulk of the stock ranges. win fur nisr at the stock ranch, hay, and grain for saddle horses free. of charge or. until my nepheiw's interest is, some, what larger fmore increas). ty: 2" ''S' j ,I"I will give,as a gift to my nephew smy brothers one fourth interest with what money II Irreserve for him from time to tim4. so thatsall will bring his interest well up in the cattle and horses of the R brand. T am deter mined after I get my brother out, no
 other person shall ever 'Swn anything E-k ,ro4H1- xx-stI, b11f 1u