The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-12-07
Relatives of Prominent New Haven
Man Are Preparing to
Contest Will.
LEFT ESTATE OF 100000.
Himself Disinherited in Youth,
Both Protestant and Catholic
Churches Now Share Fortune
of Late Augustus l.. Lines.


REPUBLIC SPECIAL.
New York. Dec. 6.-ReIatives of Augustus
L. Lines, formerly of this city. are discuss
ing the strans will which excluded them
from all benefits in his estate. said to be
worth more than $Jpt.CN0.
He died IN New Haven. Conn. and, al
though a Protestant, distributed the bulk
of his property among churches of all de-
nominations, Protestant and Roman Cath
olic alike.
He also provided II large fund TO enGiow u
chair in the Yale Law School. His widow
has an annuity derived from a fund OF
si2O.ON set aside for her, but, owing to the
manner IN which she mad been accustomed
to live. the income will not be sufficient to
maintain her establishment.
She IS % years old and is considering the
advisabiIity of cOntes:ing the Will. Many
CT the kinsfolk are anxious to have her DO
so, as upon her action would depend their
own chances OF obtaining a share.
Mr.. Lines was 50 years old. and he had
passed three-score before his wealth came
to him.
In his youth he had d disagreement with
his father. which drove him to work for a
livelihood. He obtained employment in an
engraving shop. and from the position of
ordinary laborer rose to he one of the best
~engraverS on steel and gold in the country.
Most of his work was done for gold and
silver smiths who desired artistic and irtri-
cate monOgramS made for them. He was
able 10 put aside a competency. and when
his hand was not capable of doing the care
full work which his business required he re-
tired. His father had disinherited him, and
he expected to have no money except that
which he had actually earned.
He was surprised when q wealthy uncle
in New Haven. In view of the way in which
the nephew had been treated by the elder
Lines. left him several hundred thousand
dollars. He invested his unexpected fortune
in New Haven real estate, which returned =
large income.
Interested in charitable work. no one in
New Haven was better known than he
among the poor. His funeral was attended
by all classes. Although he was generally
considered eccentric. he was tolerant in hts
He was a member Of the Methodist Church
Of the Redeemer. to which he left n liberal
portion OF his estate. Catholic churches in
New Haven shared equally with those Of
other denominations.
1t is understood that Mrs. Lines feels that
she has practically been disirherited. New
Haven attorneys have been retained to ex-
anime int" IN" facts connected with the
making of the will with a view to begin
ming a contest. il Is said.
~: Y. Kimberly. Il nephew of Mr.. Lines.
said he was not himself specially interested
three brothers Of the testator were deter
mindH t. push their claims.
The widow. who under the will obtains
only an annuity. would have one-third of
two-thirds: if the will We're broken. could
then he divided among the other heirs.
Yale and the other beneficiaries are, II is
said. ready to defend their claims. Mrs.
lines thinks. rather than GO to the expense
OF Il contest she would prefer some method
of arbitration by means of which a settle
ment could be reached.
The money set aside for Yale is to be used
to found a chair of teStamentary law, pro-
Vided the testament which gives 1t shalt re-
sist an attack in the courts.