The San Francisco call., 1899-03-11
D. D, FOWLER
D|S|NHERITS
HIS WIDOW
A Lawsuit to Engage
His Heirs.
REASON Is NOW UNKNOWN
A CONTEST TO HIS WILL IS
READY FOR FILING.
REASON is NOW UNKNOWN
The Document Was Drawn Five Days
Prior to Fowler's Death and Of
fered for Probate the Day
After.

When D. D. Fowler, a well-known min
ing man. who resided at 634 Polk street,
died on the 9th inst. he left besides many
desirable legacies a rich opportunity Tor
bitter litigation. This has been seized
by Ella Fowler, decedent's widow, and
in consequence the Fowler will contest
may eventually be numbered among the
most bitter in the annals Of local ltiga-
ton Mrs. Fowler was disinhertted by
her husband for some unknown cause
that is, unknown to the world-and When
the story comes to light during the trial
of the contest it will doubtless be ora
maticalIy interesting.
Fowler was an old man. having passed
his SEVENTEEN year, and was worth about
$500, 600 For some time before his oeath
he was broken In health and IT is said
even unable to transact business of the
most simple character. AS an instance
of this disability IT is stated that a 1ew
days before dissolution he was asked 70
indorse two checks, but the pen fell from
his nerveless fingers. Thursday he be
came weaker and just as the night fell
passed away.
purporting to be the last will of the de-
ceased was presented for probate. II
bears date of March 5. 1899, showing that
it was drawn just four days before the
old man died and disposes of the estate
as follows: To Lizzie Fowler, daugh-
ter. $4,000; to another daughter, whose
sons, F. D. and D. D. Fowler, $2500 each,
and to Mrs. William d. Farren $250O. The
residue of the estate was LETT to dece-
dents children, share and share aliKe
The testator'S widow was cut on with
out a cent. D. Farren and E. Groenen-
dyke were named as executors.
Farren offered the will for probate and
Immediately appeared before Judge COT
fey with an application for letters OF ad-
ministration. William A. Beatty or the
firm of Shortridge, Beatty & Brittan, was
nreSent. however, and contested the Is
suance of the letters on the ground that
a contest to the will would shortly De
filed by the widow. The contest will set
forth that the document was eXecute1 un-
der duress and the undue influence of 4dr:
and Mrs Farren. 1t will also be averred
that Fowler was insane for some time
nriOr to his death and consequently un-
able TO make a legal will; that while in
this condition he was influenced to make
the document, and for these reasons The
dead mans widow will go into court and
hetfie for a portion of the wealth he left
to his children and strangers 10 her e&-
clusiOn.
of the will the marriage of the couple
occurred at San Rafael about sixteen
months ago and the estate Is separate
property. 1t is said that In the latter
husband to be arrested on a charge of
insanity and had him taken before the
Commissioners, of Lunacy, VINO upon ex5
animation, declared him perfectly sane and
ordered his immediate release he was
then taken by his friends to St Luke S
Hospital, since which time he has lived
About a month ago Mrs. Fowler, ac-
cording to Attorney Hassett, represent
ing the executor, sued for support, and
three days before his death she, caused
the Sheriff to forcibly break in the door
of the room where he was living at the
house of Mr.. Farren and had him served
suit. The family difficulties appear to
have been due to money matters entirely.