The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-05-09

the fathers part was because he did
not wish Malcolm to devote himself to
an athletic career
Mr. Ford the elder left will in which
he made no mention whatever of NAL
colm but divided his large estate In
equal parts among his other chill
dren. Malcolm did not contest the viii,
and 1t was admitted to probate shortly
after his fathers death. He told his
friends at the time, however, that an
agreement had been entered into be-
tween him and his brothers and sisters
by which they had promised to share
with him their fathers estate.
In May, 1894, Malcolm Ford brought
suit against his brothers and sisters in
the supreme court in Brooklyn to COM
pei them to live up to the alleged
agreement. The case was heard in the
special term before Justice Gaynor. The
alleged agreement was verbal one,
and as Malcolm Ford was unable to
adduce proof of it the court decided
against him.
When Malcolm was called to the stand
to testify in his own behalf he said that
shortly after his fathers death his
brother Paul had spoken to him about
think you are left out of the viii, but
we viii take care of you as long as You
do not make any trouble There is no
disgrace IN 1t for you, for both Wash
ington and Catherine were left out Of
a former will
Paul Ford was called to the stand
and when under cross examination teS-
titled that there was sentiment
among the brothers and sisters that
Malcolm should have a share of the
| estate of his father if his future life
was such that he would command re-
spect. He explained that he meant by
this that his brother should give up all
athletic sports After testifying that
his father had died from typhoid fever,
| he said:
I do not see why Malcolm should get
any of the estate, as my father had laid
/ down his life to save Malcolm. He gave
a worthy life to save an unworthy
| life"
Paul Ford denied that he had entered
| into an agreement to share the estate
/ with Malcolm, and said that the senti-
ment to share the estate provided Nal
! colin gave up athletics originated with
! his mother. who has since died.
Police Captain Brown said that Nal
! colin Ford had for some time been caus-
I ing much uneasinesS to the family
I through evidences of an unbalanced
mind, and declared that in his opinion
he attacked his brother during period
| of temporary insanity.
The cause of Malcolm Ford's action
! said Captain Brown, can be explained
! by inference. For some time past his
financial affairs have been pressing hin
and he had repeatedly asked and re
celVed material assistance from nj:
brother. 1t is presumed that his impor
tuning had been such and his demands
SO excessive that his brother had beer
forced to refuse further aid"
Paul Leicester Ford was 81 years O
age and a novelist of much note
Janice Meredith and THE Honora biz
Peter Sterling being his most popular
novels. He was married about a yea
ago to Miss Grace Kidder, daughter o
Edward H Kidder of Brooklyn. f.
was the son Of Gordon Leicester Ford o.
Brooklyn who died eleven years ag'
and left an estate of some s., 600 000
divided among his children. with tn
exception of Malcolm, who was disin
herited by the viii
Malcolm Ford was born in Brooklyn