The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-04-14
DID HE GET A DIVORCE
FAMILY AFFAIRS OF THE LATE
WILLIAM r.. EDGERLY
CALLED UP
BY PROBATE COURT PETITION
Former Wife of the Deceased nm
Inmate of an Asylum at Litch-
field, England-A Friend Denies
That the Second Marriage Was
Lawful and Wants the Question
Opened Up at This Time.

Did William R. Edgerly. who died in
st. Paul ten years ago, omit to secure
a divorce from his wife in England be-
fore marrying ago. is a question that
Judge Bazille will be called upon to de-
eide when petition filed late yesterday
by William Alexander comes up for
hearing In probate court. Incidentally the
ownership of much valuable property and
the guardianship of the first wife, who
is at present In an asylum In England,
are called In question.
The petitioner represents himself as
the next friend" Of Mrs. Elizabeth
Edgerly, and goes on to state that Mrs.
Edgerly is at present an inmate of an
asylum for feeble-minded persons at
Litchfield. England, and that she has no
general or testamentary guardian. Fur
thermore he AYERS that Mrs. Edgerly Is
the rightful owner of lot 1, Rohrer's sub
division of lot of block Of Paterson's
addition, and is entitled to the rents and
profits of the property.
According to the petition, 1.-The said
property is in the hands and possession of
the executrix under the last will and tes-
lament of William R. Edgerly, deceased,
that the estate is wholly unsettled, and
no distribution has ever been made. al
though more than ten years have elapsed
since the will was admitted to probate"
The petitioner asks that he be appoint
ed the guardian of Mrs. Edgerly for the
purpose of taking care of the property
mentioned and that he be authorized to
take the necessary measures to secure
Of thn Nv Of he
accumulated rents.
In explanation of the petition Mr.. Alex
ander told a very strange and interesting
story to the court 1t appears that Will
lam r. Edgerly and his wife, Elizebeth
Edgerly, came to this country over TWEEN
ty years ago, and after considerable
travelling around settled down, and made
their home at the property mentioned in
the petition, and which is at the north
east corner of Oliver and Olmsted streets,
and covered with a commodious frame
dwelling. There the couple lived for some
time, until finally Mrs. Edgerly became
homesick, and went back to England on
visit to some relatives. She stayed
several months and finally wrote home
asking for money to return Instead of
sending the money the husband, accord
Ing to Mr.. Alexander, sent word to his
wife that she need expect nothing fur
Their from him. and that she need not
come back Then Mr.. Edgerly married
again without, as far as the petitioner
was able to discover in the records, ever
having obtained a divorce. This treatment
1t is alleged rendered the deserted wife
insane, and led to her Incarceration in the
asylum, where she is at present.
Edgerly died about ten years ago leav-
Ing his property to his second wife, who
is made sole eXecutriX under the will
She is at present living on the property.
The petitioner claims that the prop
erty was homestead and as such Edg-
erly had no right to make any convey
ance by will or otherwise, and that the
title is vested in Mrs. Edgerly No. 1,
who is entitled to the use Of the home
stead during her natural life and that
upon her demise the property will go to
son Of Mrs. Edgerly No. 1, who is at
present living at GAINESVILLE, MINI.