The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-27
Sudden and Dramatic End of Laura
Biggar's Fight for the Wealth
Left by III. Nj. Bennett.
CLAIMED ALL THE ESTATE
ON THE GROUND THAT SHE WAS THE
DECEDENTs WIDOW,
But Withdrew the Suit, and Was I'm
mediately, with Others. Charged
with Conspiracy.

LONG BRANCH, N. J., Sept. 26.-The
for the fortune of Henry M. Bennett, came
to sudden and dramatic ending to-day
before Justice Wilbur A. Heisley here. The
claimant, through counsel, abandoned the
suit and announced she would be satisfied
with the so per cent. of the estate given
her by the will. Hardly had this been done
Biggar claim showed they had been more
than prepared for this step and warrants
charging conspiracy were served on Samuel
Stanton. the former justice of the peace
of Hudson county, who testified that he
had performed the marriage ceremony be-
tween Miss Biggar and the Pittsburg mil
lionaire, and DR.. C. c. Hendrick. at whose
sanatorium in Bayonne it was alleged that
Miss Biggar's child was born. "A search is
now in progress for Miss Biggar herself,
that she may also be presented to the
grand jury to answer similar charge.
Stanton and DR.. Hendrick are now in Jail
at Freehold.
AS soon as the case had been called by
Judge Heisley, Mr.. Black announced that
as counsel for Miss Biggar he had been
instructed to withdraw the proceeding be-
fore the court and to announce that Miss
Biggar would rest content with the so per
cent of the estate given her by the terms
of the will.
Mr. Arrowsmith, of the heirs counsel,
then addressed the court, saying he was
not altogether surprised at the action, for
there had been a conspiracy and a deep
one. He desired to say, however, that he
and his associates acquitted Mr.. Black
and his legal associates from any knowl-
edge of the conspiracy and to assure the
court that 1t had been established they had
been duped.
Samuel A Peterson, one of Mr.. Arrow
smiths associates. then announced the war
rants had been sworn out for the arrest of
Miss Biggar, DR.. Hendrick and Mr.. STAN
ton on complaints sworn to by Peter j. Nc
Nulty, one of the principal legatees and an
executor of the will. Bendrick and STAN
ton were at once arrested and Judge Heis-
ley ordered the preliminary hearing to be-
gin at once. Miss Biggar was not in court.
Mr.. McNulty testified to a conversation
he had with Miss Biggar in Pittsburg,
when Mr.. Bennett was Ill. This was three
years subsequent to the date of the alleged
marriage and Miss Biggar had been wor-
ried because Mr.. Bennett dying and
had made no will and said If he died no
no claim then of being Mr. Benefits wife.
Subsequent TO the death of Mr.. Bennett
the witness and A. V. w. Watterson, of
Pittsburg with counsel for the heirs, Wis
tied Dr. Hendricks sanatorium where Miss
Biggar was. Hendrick. who said he was
Miss Biggars lawyer, told them that Miss
Bggar was entitled to the entire estate
and would get IL or he would set up the
claim she was Benefits common law wife.
John +. Hawkins. of Asbury Park, who
drew the will and is one OF the executors,
testified that when the will was drawn
Bennett told him Miss Biggar was not his
wife. He intended TO provide for her fully,
however After Mr.. Benefits death wit
ness had a talk with Miss Biggar and she
said IL she was not properly provided for
I'm the will she would set up the claim of
being the common-law wife of Mr.. Bennett.
Secretary Tooker. of the Hoboken Board
of Health. testified that on Friday last
stanton told him he had married Mr.. Ben
nett and Miss Biggar about two years be-
fore but had forgotten TO file the certifi-
cate Stanton, so Tooker said wanted him
to testify that he (Stanton) called on him
a week earlier and told him that the Web
er woman, named as witness to the mar
riage, was dead. This Tooker refused to do.
The next morning, Tooker continued.
Stanton called on him. accompanied by
As. Young. Of counsel for the heirs. who