The herald., 1898-01-16
The G. A. Steele Will to Be
Again Challenged
ON ITS TRUST PROVISIONS
THE JURIsDICTIoNAL QUESTION
IN EvERETT'S CASE
Will schaffer, the Boy Burglar, Con-
victed-Ex-Police Officer Bates
E Cited for Contempt

Another will case is looming up on the
legal horizon. Some time ago TIE last
will and testament Of c. A. Steele. the
South Main street, was contested by GER
tain OF the children, but Judge Clark
furniture dealer and pawnbroker of
admitted the will to probate, and the
contestants lost their case. At that
time the showing was made on oues-
.tions Of fact, but the petition filed yes
,terday by Attorney w. P. James, who
represents the three elder children of
the deceased, has come up on questions
OF law.
Mr.. Steele died in the early part of
1897. He had been a much-married man.
His first wife was Mary Cheesman
Steele, who died, but by whom there
were three children-Charles A., Idella
D. and w. M. Steele. The second wife
was Mary Metcalf Steele, who, after a
divorce, remarked. The third wife was
a Miss Moore before her marriage, and
she bore her husband the minor three
children, who are, with the fourth wife,
Mrs Rose B. Wallace Steele, the only
beneficiaries under the will.
At the time Of contest it was shown
that Steele suffered from hallucina-
tions, and when he became very ill he
was removed to DR.. Walter Lindley's
hospital, where he was visited by his
relatives, more particularly by his
nephew.
At that time, it was urged, the sick
man complained that his wife and Dr.
Lindley would not let him do what he
wanted. and he desired to be taken
from the place. Mr.. Steele was taken
home to Santee street, and about that
time Charles A. Steele, jr., who was at
the university, came down to Los An
geles, and his father was delighted to
see him. Charles sister was in Watson
Vile, and another daughter was in Mich
igan at the time, and did not see their
father. He stated, however, to his
nephew, his son and an attendant that
he intended to do right and we'll by all
his children-those by his early mar
riages as well as those by his later one
When Mr.. Steele died and the will
was opened, it was found that the chill
dren-save the three minors in the care
Of the widow-had been disinherited,
Inc pIOpcTty peluS DeQuedtneQ IN trust
to George B. Shaffer for the benefit of
the young widow and the three minor
children. A contest was begun on the
ground of undue influence and insanity,
but as already Indicated, the validity
of the will was sustained by Judge
Clark.
Attorney w, P. James represents the
three elder children. Attorney N. P.
Conrey represents DR.. Walter Lndley,
executor under the will, and Attorney
w. ]. Hunsaker represents George Shat
fer, the trustee and guardian of the
minor children.
The present petition is for a partial
distribution, and has been filed to test
the legal questions involved, and par
ucularly the trust provisions of the will.
The contention is made that the entire
trust is invalid for the reason that it
creates a perpetuity, and, Furthermore,
that the will is void by reason of it's OBJ
sourity
The Steele estate has been appraised
at $4,000, but 1t is estimated to be worth
from $4,000 to 100000. The hearing of
the petition has been set for the 2Sth
inst.