The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1901-01-13


and a young Eoman-haye come
to notice through one OF the
most sensational VIII cases ever
brought 10 the Michigan courts. The
case is q contest in the Genesee eoun-
" probate court over the remarkable
will Of Mrs. Grace Newton. wife Of
Judge william Newton. who shot her
self fatally on the afternoon OF Aug
ust 31st last.
Il was a strange will.
Perhaps its most remarkable portion
IS her request that her remains De
cremated and her ashes scattered to
the four winds by William Grape Or
reT.
This request has not been carried
ont Instead her body was placed in
an Theoretically sealed casket and.
buried in Gleuwood cemetery. Flint.
Mrs Nevtou's estate. comprising
$4,000 left her by her uncle, Charles
Stone. OF New York. and several thou
sand dollars in mortgages assigned
20 her by her husband. who is a veal
thy man The viii disposes OF only
$1,000. Il was written on fine note
paper I'm an easy. aowing hand. on
the day of her death and was witness
Cd by two colored servants
Judge Newtons attorneys claim
that the instrument is not legally en-
titled 10 be received. as it does not
conform to the statutes. because its
maker was not competent 10 make
will. and she was unduly influenced.
The document. after the opening
phrases. reads as follows:
Il wish all debts and my funeral ex-
penses paid out Of what funds there
are remaining on deposit in either the
Union Trust or Genesee County Saw
ings Bank. I wish my body to be ere
mated and my ashes scattered TO the
four winds - William Grape Orrell.
Next. 10 my son | leave my Loyal
Guard life insurance policy of $4,000
Out Of any money that may come TO
me from the estate of my uncle. Chas
Stone. leave my mother. Frances
Hughes. $4,000: my father. E. T.
Hughes. $1,000; my sister. Jessie NJ
Hughes. $1,000; my brother. Edward,
Jr.. $500; my sister Constance. $500.
MY diamond ring to my friend Flor
ence Orrel my sealskin cape to Mrs
E. c. Turner, my sealskin coat to Mrs.
E. T. Hughes. my mother. Any one of
my stickpins TO be given to Mrs
Francis Hyatt. one also to Miss Algoe.
Rose Van Tifiin and Floy Whiting
Ny gold necklace and books of her
own choosing to Miss Algoe James
Lane Aliens Reign of Law to Will
liam Grape Orrell. Ny watch to my
son. William F. Newton.
ITO friends wishing any such e.
membrane Of me, some dainty hand
kerchief or fine underwear or gowns.
TO be disposed of at the discretion of
my sister Jessie.
To my son leave the richest leg
acy-his mothers love-with last
prayers for his guidance. and hope
that he will grow to be a strong. true.
brave. honorable man. who will exon
crate the rashness of his mother.
While he is yet an infant leave him
90 the guidance of Miss Margaret AL
zoe and Miss Mabel Stewart.
ITO my faithful servant. Julia Cope
land. leave sl0o and all of my plain
house dresses aud aprons.
Il wish the bearers of my casket to
be William Grape orrell, Marion Hy-
att. Arthur Bishop and Or. Campbell.
GRACE H. NEWTON"
Mrs. Newton was % years of age
when she shot herself. She had been
married eight years TO William New
ton. an octogenarian. and as result
OF their union had one child boy %
5 years. mentioned in the will
The Newton family was one of the
most prominent in eastern Michigan.
Judge Newton had been on the circuit
bench for thirty years a Democratic
Office holder in heavily Republican
district He is worth quarter OF
million.
l; was Judge Newton's intense de-
sire for an heir TO his fortune that led |
20 his marriage TO young girl eight |
years ago.
Grace Hughes had long been one of /
the most attractive and popular girls
in Flint. Her father was prosperous
hardware merchant then. and after i.
he moved 10 Auburn. y. Y. ten or a
dozen years ago. Grace remained with
her relatives in Flint for q couple of
years before joining her parents.
Flint Young ladies had long guessed
that old Judge Newton wanted {
young wife. but they were surprised
one day 10 learn that he had gone to
Auburn and married Grace Hughes.
Il wasn't long after the return 10
Flint that friction began. The judge
was old and did not care for social
functions. His wife was young. at
tractive. popular and very fond Of so
ciety. An his life Judge Newton had
done just as he wanted TO do. but AZ |
ter his marriage he sometimes accom-