The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-01-19
AGAINST THEIR MOTHER.
Mrs. Black Defending Her Distribu'
ton of an Estate, In Court.

Paola, Jan. 19.-"How sharper than
serpent's tooth is an ungrateful child.
Mrs. Phoebe A. Black, an aged and
wealthy widow of this county, feels the
force and aptness of that proverb as
she is now defending herself against a
serious charge made by five of her
grown daughters and one son. She is
charged with having defrauded them
nearly twenty years ago out of their
just share in their fathers estate, Of
which she was executrix and guardian
of the children, then minors. The case
is being heard before Judge A. w. Ben
son of Ottawa, who is here as referee.
There are dramatic scenes in the pro-
gress of the trial that a painter and
novelist might covet. The wealth and
prominence of the Black family, the
vast estate in litigation and the great
legal talent engaged, the bitter contest
between mother and children, all make
it one of the most interesting cases ever
tried here. In front and to the right
of the judges stand sit four of the
daughters, handsome, stylishly dressed
young and refined appearing, and one
son, a well-to-do appearing young man.
Two of the daughters are stenographerS,
and they take cOpiOuS notes of the pro-
ceedings of the trial and frequently
confer with and prompt their attorneys.
To the left and but a few feet distant
sits the little old gray-haired mother
bent with age, her face furroWed, her
hair brushed smoothly from her brow
neatly but plainly dressed-a kindly
faced old lady with none of the cum
ming or look Of deception in her face
that one would expect to see in one who
would deliberately wrong her children.
Frequently she looks across the inter-
vening space to where her daughters sit
with a wistful yearning and tender ex-
preston, then turns her head and softly
Weeps. Often the proceedings are dis
turbed by her audible sobs.
In 1877, when her husband died in
this county, he left a widow and eight
children, five girls and three boys, all
minors, the youngest put 4 weeks old.
He had been successful as q farmer
and stock man, and left an estate con-
sisting of some LOO acres of land
about $4,000 cash and bank stock and
considerable other personal property.
Mrs. Black undertook the work of set
Ting up the estate and raising and edu-
eating the children. She was appointed
executrix of the estate and guardian of
the children. She educated them, some
at Fort Scott, some at Emporia-an
were well educated. In due time she
made her final settlement as executrix
and as the children came of age she
paid them the amounts due them, as
shown by her settlements with the pro-
bate court At last the youngest reach
ed his majority and received his share
All these years Mrs. Black had man
aged her business successfully, and now
owns ZOO acres of valuable land, stock
and money all in her own name The
up to two years ago the mother expect
ed to live her few remaining years at
peace with all the world, and especially
with her children.
Now, with one foot in the grave and
the other on the brink, she is in court to
defend herself against her children.
They ask that the final settlement of
the mother, made in probate court, be
set aside and the lands be partitioned
among them and the money and proper
ty be divided.
w P. billiard of Fort Scott, L. c.
Boyle OF Kansas City, Judge w. H.
Sheldon and County Attorney Lane of
Paola represent the children, and Snod-
dy & Snoddy of La Cygne the mother.