The Washington times., 1902-10-29
MYSTERY RECALLED BY
PROBAT|NG OF WILL
Death of Mr.. and Mrs. w. B.
Turner in March, 1899.
BODIES FOUND IN HOUSE
No Explanation by Detectives, But
Murder and Suicide Theory
Accepted.
BODIES FOUND IN HOUSE


The death of Weston 3. Turner and
his wife. Ellen V! Turner. on March 2S,
1899, at Falls Church, Va, was recalled
yesterday by the termination of the liti-
cation over his estate. On the date men
tioued the bodies of Mr.. Turner and his
wife were found in the sitting room OF
their home. Mrs. Turner's body was
living on a sofa She was shot through
the heart few feet from her upon the
floor was the body of her husband, with Il
bullet in his head near the right temple.
They had been dead for several days
when the bodies were discovered. Their
prolonged absence from among their
neighbors aroused suspicion, and friends
went to the house to Investigate Find
ing the door fastened they broke the
lock.
Not Double Murder.
For several days the local detectives
worked hard to solve the mystery sur
rounding the death of Mr.. and Mrs.
Turner Nothing, however, was devel-
oped which led to the belief that dou-
Bile murder had been committed. II
could not be discovered that the prem
ises had been robbed. There were no
signs of struggle and the positions in
which the bodies were discovered con-
firmed the belief that 1t was a murder
and suicide.
The terms of the will left by MIR.
her and then took his own life. The
testament was dated March II. 1899. only
a few days before the double tragedy.
By its terms Mr.. Turner left one-helf Of
his estate to his wife and the remainder
to Jacob Y. Turner. In the event of the
Turner directed that one-half of the
estate should go to his brother, Jacob Y.
Turner, and the other half to his wife's
heirs.
Litigation Over Estate.
Proceedings for the possession of the
estate, which is valued at about $4,000,
were begun by Mitchell A. Skinner, a
committee for Jacob Y. Turner, and 9TH
ers. Mary e. King and eighteen others,
relatives of Mrs. Ellen v. Turner, were
named as defendants 1t is explained
that Jacob Y. Turner was adjudged in
sane in November. 1899. and Mr.. Skinner
was appointed his committee. The pro-
ceedings were in the form of partition
cuit and vara rafarrad IN tho c;rcui.
branch of the Supreme Court of the Dis
trict for trial.
The case was on hearing before Chief
Justice Bingham last fall. and resulted
in the jury failing TO agree upon a YER
dict. The principal question involved
was the validity of the will of Weston B.
Turner. Since the trial of the issues, an
agreement was reached between the par
ties Interested and compromise effect
ed The matter was called up yesterday
before Justice Clabaugh, and consent
verdict was reported sustaining the will
of Mr.. Turner.
The will of Washington W. Whitlow.
dated March q, 1901, was filed yester-
day for probate in the Office of the Reg
lister of Wills for the District. He leaves
premises 1924 Pierce Place to his wife.
Nancy Whitlow, for life, Upon her death
he directs his estate shall be divided
equally between his son, George w.
Whitlow, and his grandson, Edward.
These children are also to receive an
annuity OF s120 during the life of Mrs.
Whitlow.
The will Of John Chandler, dated
March 20. 1885, was filed for probate
yesterday. He leaves all his personal
property and one-half of his real estate
to his wife, Mrs. Lucy c. Chandler. The
other half he directs shall be invested
and the income paid to his wife.
II his brother, William Chandler.
should outlive his wife. the testator di-
rects that he shall receive the income
from half the estate Upon the death of
both his wife and brother. /. is ordered
that the estate. with the exception of
$50, left TO his nephew, John r. Chan
oier. shall be divided among his five
children.
Mary Ann Fowler. by her will, dated
October 23. leaves s100 10 her nephew
George F. DeMaine apd one-fourth of
the remainder of her estate to her
brother, John w. DeMaine, of Philadel-
phia The balance is to go 10 Mrs Ara
bella Dorsett of this city.
DAVID C. BELL DEAD AT
HIS GEORGETOWN HOME