The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-05-24
Her OWN SON.
William Sells Says He Was Not
Adopted by Mrs. Sells
Says His Uncles Circulated a
False Report.
TO CONTEST THE WILL.
Says Hrs. Sells Intended to
Make a New One.
Her Intention Was to Keep
Property Intact.
MISS WHITE ARRIVES.
Comes to Claim Property on
West Tenth Avenue.
A Sensational Law Suit Is Ex-
pected to Result.
Saws Hrs. Sells Intended to
Make a New One.
Her Intention Was to Keep
Property Intact.
MISS WHITE ARRIVES.
Comes to Claim Property on
West Tenth Avenue.
A Sensational Law Suit Is EX-
pected to Result.

William Sells will contest the viii Of
his mother, Mrs. Sarah Ann Sells,
which was admitted to probate on
May 4.
Mr. Sells makes the sensational state
m ent that he is the son OF Mrs Sells
and Allan Sells. while he has always
been known as their adopted SON
The ground upon which he viii base
the contest of the will is that it was
the intention of Mrs. Sells to keep all
the property of the estate in a bulk, but
that she neglected to make a new will.
He will also claim that he was in
strumental in earning a large portion
of the fortune, and that therefore he
can not be deprived of his birthright-
Miss Ellen White. of Dayton. who is
named as one of the benefciaries of the
will, is here to take possession of the
property at SO West Tenth avenue.
which was bequeathed to her in that
document She came in response to a
notice sent to her by P. T. Bonebrake.
executor of Mrs. Sells viii.
Her appearance to claim the prop
erty viii precipitate the suit in the dis
trict court by William Sells involving
the entire estate, a sum of about $780,,
600.
The case Will come up for hearing at
the session Of the district court this
fall Some startling things will be
brought out at this trial, and it is hint
ed that 1t will be more sensational than
the famous Sells case at Columbus last
winter.
Eugene Hagan and Charles Blood
Smith, Of the firm Of Rossington. Smith
& Histed. have been engaged to repre-
sent Mr. Sells. The case is in their
hands. and an attempt will be made
to keep any portion of the property
from being transferred to the bene-
ficiaries nam ed in the will The claim
of Barbara Tauer. who was Mrs. Sells
companion. win be pushed. Evidence
Will be introduced to show that it was
the intention of Mrs. Sells to make a
new will. raining Miss Tauer as one Of
the beneficiaries.
Il viii introduce evidence said Mr..
Sells to a State Journal reporter today
when the time comes that if there is
any doubt that am a son Of Allan
Sells. that doubt will be dispelled.'
William Sells at the age Of six years
rode on of the ponies in the ring of his
fathers circus and ever since that time
has been connected with the circus bust
ness in one way OF another.
Since the time William Sells went into
business for himself he has had trouble
from Peter Sells and his brothers who
are with him in the circus business
There is now pending in the federal
court here a suit for $3.50. 900 damage
against Peter Sells
Mrs. Sells will left the bulk of the
estate to Allan Sells the 1O-year-old son
of William Sells. The other beneficiaries
Of the will We're Miss Ellen White and
Miss Emma White. sisters of Mrs Sells
who were bequeathed town and city
property TO the value of about $40. 600
The sum of 81 900 each was bequeathed
TO p. I. BonebralSe and Abram Bergan.