The Washington times., 1901-11-02
STEPS TOWARD 4 CONTEST
The Mcpherson Will Case Soon to
Be Taken Into Court.
Order Signed in New Jersey Not to
Interfere With the Proceedings
Instituted Locally by Mrs. Muir
Points That Must BE Decided.

The final steps toward a contest before
the local courts over the estate of John
r. Mcpherson, of New jersey, were taken
yesterday by Fred u. McKenney and
John S. Flannery. counsel for Mrs. Edla
Mcpherson Muir, of New York, the
daughter of the late Mr.. Mcpherson. The
contest in reality is a questioning of the
validity of the will of Mrs. Edla j. Nc
Pherson, the mother OF the contestant,
Mrs Muir The will Of Mrs. Mcpherson
was filed in New Jersey, and also in this
city. and one of the issues of the contest
is TO determine which was the actual
place Of residence of Mrs. Mcpherson.
When the matter came up for consider
alton in the New jersey courts some
weeks ago. the presiding judge signed an
order allowing Mrs. Muir $4,000 a year Tor
her support until the litigation is set
tied. Those proceedings, it is said, viii
not in any way interfere with the prose
cution of the contest Instituted by Mrs.
Muir in the local courts. Anyway, no
notice has been taken of them in the local
courts, by any of the parties interested
I'm the contest. so far as IS known.
The issues which viii be tried in the
local courts are as follows:
..First-Nas the paper writing bearing
date March %, 1901, purporting to be the
last will and testament of Edla J. Nc
Pherson, deceased, signed and executed
by said Edla ]. Mcpherson under the un-
due influence Of the suggestions, impor-
tlnities or persuasions Of Aaron 5. Bald
win. or any other person or persons, when
she. was so weak, mentally and physically,
from the effects of disease as 10 De uilaple
TO resist the same:
..Second-NVas the said paper writing
procured BY the fraud. Misrepresentation
or artificc OF the said Aaron > BALDWIN:
or any other person or persons acting OF
his or their own volition, or under Inc,
direction Of said Aaron s. Baldwin?
..'rhlrd-Werc the contents Of said paper
writing purporting to be the last "iii
and testament of said Ella ). McPher-
son known to and under TODD by her at
or before the alleged execution thereof?
.'Fourth-What part or parts, If any, of
said paper writing were unknown 70 or
misunderstood by said Edla }. McPher-
son at the time of the alleged execution
.Fifth-was said paper writing. dated
March g. 1901. purporting to be the last
will and testament OF said Edla j. Nc
!urIn as required by law as and FOR her
last will and testament
'.Sixtl-Was the domicile Of the said
Fdla ] Mcpherson at the time of her
death on or about the 18th day Of March,
1901. in the District OF Columbia?
.'Seven.h-Was the domicile of the said
Edla J. Mcpherson at the time OF her
death. on or about the 18th day OF March.
1901 in the State of New Jersey
.'Eighth-Did the property attempted to
be devised and bequeathed in and by said
paper writing, dated March =. 1891, pur-
porting to be the last will and testament
OF said Edla ]. Mcpherson. come into the
possession Of said Edla J. Mcpherson un-
der and by virtue of the provisions Of the
last viii and testament OF her deceased
husband. John r. MCPHERSON, dated Au-
gust .. 1857