The Washington times., 1902-07-06
THE LONG AND BITTERLYFOUGT HOLT WILL CASE AT AN END

out my wishes, my executor Signed and
sealed by me in the presence of these
witnesses In the city of Washington.
| ID. C. J. HOLT.
February :. 1873"
The document is witnessed By Ellen
3. p. Sherman, U. S. Grant and William
T. Sherman.
| Joseph Holt was born in Kentucky in
| 1907 and resided there until 1856, when
he came to Washington. having been ap-
| pointed a member of the Cabinet by
| President Buchanan. From that time
until his Death Mr.. Holt resided in this
city. He was twice married, his hrst
wife being Miss Mary l.. Harrison who
died in 1916. Four years later he mar
ried Miss Margaret Wickliffe, and in
1860 was again left a widower without
children. The remaining thirty-four
years of his life he spent alone, unat-
tended except by his household domes-
| tics.
Although Mr.. Holt was not blessed
with any children his marriage with
Miss Harrison brought to his household
and his care Lizzie Hynes, at that time
child of five years. She was committed
to his care by her uncle, the father OF
the first Mrs Holt, who was also the
childs guardian. Mr.. Holt promised his
dying wife to care and provide for the
child. He always called her his little
girl" sent her to school, and from the
time of his marriage in 1897 until his
death paid all of her expenses. After
the death of his wife, when Mr.. Holt
came to Washington, Miss Hynes re-
manned In Kentucky and still resides
there.
Miss Throckmorton. the other henelc-
iary under the will, was not blood
relation Of Mr. Holt. In 1858 Judge Holt
became acquainted with Major Charles
b. Throekmorton, who at that time was
only sixteen years OF age. Judge Holt
had been appointed Postmaster General
by President Buchanan, and he gave
young Throckmorton n clerkship. Soon
afterward the civil war was begun. and
through the influence of Judge Holt Mr..
Throckmorton was given lieutenancy
in the Unicn army. The young mans
father and his other close relations were
Southern sympathizers. In fact, his ia
ther was enlisted in the cause OF the
Confederacy. During the war Judge
Holt kept up correspondence with
young Throckmorton. and the high es-
teen in which he held him is evidenced
by many expressions vf confidence ard
affection In Judge Hollis letters to him.
In 1863 Major Throckmcrton was mar
ried to Miss Fannie Wickliffe, cousin
of Judge Hollis second wife. In 1856
there was born to Major and Mrs. .
NThrockmorton a daughter. who was
named Josephine Holt Throckmorton, in
honor OF their friend. Judge Holt.
He consented to act as godfather for
the little one, sending a silver mug as
a present. and a bottle of water for the
christening which he had brought from
the River Jordan. He developed great
affection for this little girl. showed her
much attention. taught her To call him
Bon Pere," and made her many pres
ents.
As stated already during the last thir-
ty-four years of his life, Judge Holt's
household consisted of himself and his
servants. For many years prior. TO his
death he suffered from a progressive dis
ease of his eyes. which eliminated in
almost total blindness. During this
2eriod of his life. Judge Holt often en-
ployed his servant, Strothers, to write
letters for him from dictation.
During all the years of his loneliness
Judge Holt does not seem to have de-
sired the companionship of any of his
relatives or next of kin at his home. In
July, 1894. Judge Holt fell while going
up the stairway at his home. and was
seriously injured in fact, 1t is believed
the injuries he received then were the
cause OF his death, although he lived for
nearly 4 month after his fall.
1t was shown at the trial of the case
that Judge Holt was very methodica1.
particularly concerning the keeping OF
his papers. In reference to this it was
stated that he had them so carefully ar
ranged that even after his sight had
failed him he could direct nearly any one
of his servants to any paper he might
have need to use. According to the testf-
mony. not only business papers, but old
private letters, newspapers. and even
advertisements were preserved by him.
1t is said that on one occasion he se-
verely rebuked his servant, Charles
Strothers. for having destroyed spoil
ed bank check. On that occasion Judge
Holt is said to have told his servant to
burn nothing
Among his papers was found viii
made in 1S4S This was not burned,
torE. nor In any way mutilated. but was
preserved in its original condition up
to his death by the testator. Because OF
the changes wrought by time, forty-six
years having elapsed since the docu-
ment was made, scarcely any provision
of the VIII of 1S4S was capable OF being
carried out at the time of the death Of
Judge Holt The will made IN 1913 con-
tanned requests to all of Judge Holt's
relatives.