The San Francisco call., 1899-08-23
WILL PROVE
THE DEATH Of
AN PLORER
John Mckee Verhoeff
Left an Estate.
WAS IN PEARY'S EXPEDITION
ADMINISTRATION LETTERS ARE
ASKED BY HIS BROTHER.
While Prospecting for Specimens on
Greenland's Shores He Met
His End-Estates in
Probate.

Within the next few days Judge Coffey
will have proof OF the death of John Nc
Kee Verhoef a member of the ili-fated
Peary expedition, who, as far as can be
ascertained, met his death in the month
of August 1882 on the bleak shores of
Greenland. Harry Verhoef, brother Of
the dead explorer. yesterday made appIi-
cation for letters of administration upon
his estate which consists of personal
property valued at S5000 the heirs being
the petitioner and sister. Martha Yer
hoeff, who resides in Louisville. KY. He
was single man, and his parents pre-
ceded him 10 the grave.
In the petition it is set forth that the
dead explorer was born in Louisville. ky,
February Is. 1866. on January s. 1891, he
Peary expedition destined to explore the
region in the neighhorhood of the north
pole. When near Mccormick 5 Bay, in
Greenland, ne went ashore to prospect for
meteorological specimens, and was last
seen, on August 10, 1892, by Mr.. Gibson,
one of the members of the expedition, as
posed exploration. from which he never
returned; and though dillgent search was
made no trace of him could be found. The
Peary expedition returned home. and the
following year Lieutenant Peary went
again to the same region in Greenland
sand again searched for the deceased but
could find no trace or track OF him. The
country in which he disappeared was un-
inhabited and very cold, and there was
no place where the deceased could obtain
shelter or assistance: Lieutenant lIeILa Peairy
deceased lost his life shortly after he
was last seen by Mr.. Gibson. He has
never been heard from since that date,
and seven years or more nave passed
since then so that there Is but one con-
clusiOn to reach--that he gave up his life
in the interest of science
Prior 70 Joining the expedition the de-
ceased was a resident of this city, as is
his brother. the petitioner, who Is repre-
sented by the firm of Lloyd e Wood.
The will Of Anna Z. Higgins who died
in this city March % 1895. leaving an
estate valued at 10000 was filed for pro-
bate yesterday Decedent bequeathes
one-half Of her estate to her daughter
Caroline L. Burns. the other half being
devised in trust to her son, Henry W.
Higgins for the benefit of his daughter,
Anna W. Higgins.
The viii of Antoine Bocqueraz late
member of the firm of Shea, Bocqueraz
& Co. who died June 10 OF this year, was
also filed for probate. Decedents estate
consists of a half interest in the firm
named valued a. S75 900: 200 shares of the
South San Francisco Land and Improve
ment Company. valued at $4,000; so
shares in the Western Meat Company,
valued at 5000: 100 shares in the Lon
don. Paris and American Bank. valued at
Sf3 coo: lot on Broadway. Oakland. valued
at 5000: lot on Chestnut street, Oakland,
valued al $500 and otner personal prop
erty of unknown value. Decedent in his
will sets forth that the entire estate is
community property and hence one-haf
goes to his widow. Mrs. z. Bocqueraz;
The remaining half is devised in equal
shares to the testator's children, Leon,
Jeanne and Roger Bocqueraz. Mrs. Boo
dueraZ and decedents son Leon are
named as eXecutriX and executor, 10
serve without bonds.
Matilda c. Denehy has applied for let
tiers OF administration upon the estate Of
Cornelius Denehy. who died on the "a
The heirs are the petitioner. who is dece
dents widow. and his children. Nellie,
Isabella. George and Bessie Denehy.
4. p Reddng has petitioned the Su-
perior Court for letters of administration
npon the estate of Harriet z. Move. who
died on the 14th inst. at her home in this
city The value of decedent,s estate IS
NJ. Redding. wife of the petitioner,
daughter of the deceased, is the sole heir.