The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-11-05
SIX MILLIONS
ARE INVOLVED
Niece May Fight for Inheritance
In UnCI0'S Estate.
KEPT HIS WILL UP TO DATE
Old Man Angry al Scent Marriage and
Threatened 10 Cul His Niece
Out Of Will
KEPT HIS WILL UP TO DATE

New York. Nov. 5.-Until the will OF
Francis Asbury Palmer. the nonogena-
rian bank president. Is opened and read
to the relatives. Mrs. Susan Lewis Rock
well. his grand niece. Will not decide
whether TO contest the document I'm an
effort TO get a share OF the s6.oo0.0OO es-
tate, nearly all Of which would have been
left to her II she had not CONTRACTED
second marriage.
Mr.. Palmer died Saturday at his home.
No. $50 Madison avenue. after an illness
OF less than forty-eight hours. Up TO
Thursday last he attended TO his duties
as president of the Broadway Savings
bank
The contents OF the will will be made
known probably on Wednesday. None OF
the relatives expects TO inherit large
portion of the estate. as they learned.
after Mr. Palmers disagreement With
Mrs. Rockwell, that he had determined
to leave the bulk OF his money to edu-
cational institutions.
Mrs. Rockwell lives at No. 10 West
Seventy-first street. in a house given her
by Mr.. Palmer, sixteen years ago, when
she married her first husband. J, Miller
Champion. This marriage was satsfac-
tory To MIR. Palmer. and he not only gave
his grand niece the Seventy-first street
residence. but settled upon her an Income
CUT OFF HER INCOME.
This income was stopped by Mr.. Palm
er. when he learned OF her marriage 70
old man particularly was that Mr.. and
Mrs Rockwell had been married two
years before he became acquainted with
the fact. They did not tell him, they
declared fearing 10 make him unhappy,
as he had always been bitterly opposed
To second marriages.
what he preached. His devotion to the
memory OF his wife was remarkable HIS
wife died April Z. 1899. They had been
the s'y day or of her i"Se death h. by Mr. Palmer
order. everything In the Madison avenue
house stood just as she had left IL
The marriage. of Mr. Rockwell and Mrs.
Champion took place at Trumansburg.
y. Y. four years ago Many ~ the rela-
tives OF both families were notfhed or the
marriage. and some attended the cere,
mony. Mr.. and Mrs. Rockwell declared
that in no sense was the wedding a Sc.
cret one. When Mr.. Palmer heard OF
II. however. he declared that II had been
intended that he should die In ignorance
OF the marriage. Then he added: :,
81 generally keep my will up TO date.
He spoke with bitterness OF Mr.. Rock
well declaring he had heard the HUSBAND
was unable 10 support his wife. This Mr.
Rockwell denied with vigor. He Is
son OF John w Rockwell. president. OF
the Puritan Coal Mining company. and Is
The Rockwell family is wealthy.
WILL HOLD FAMILY COUNCIL.
Mr.. Rockwell refused to make any
statement yesterday as to what course
his wife would pursue In the matter ol
Mr. Palmer's estate. Mr.. ana Mrs
Rockwell went to the Palmer house sat.
urday afternoon as soon as they learned
OF the old mans death, A famly colii-
CT wifi pp- tTptTf w1err contents al ~.
will are made known.
That there had been no reconciliation
between Mr. Palmer and Mrs. Rockwell
was shown I'm March last. when sht
brought suit against him to recovered 2V0'
shares OF the National broadway pant
stock worth $4,000. She alleged thal
he had given her the stock In 1870 anc
that upon his advice she had left IL ~
his custody. The suit was recently de-
cided in favor of Mr.. Palmer. ~,
Palmer institute at Munice. Ind, with ar
endowment Of $4,000 Prior To that ne
gave $500. .Ooa 10 the Starkey seminary a.
Fddytown. n J.. and 10000 TO the RAIN,
er college at La Grand, Ia. 1hese a%no %
many other educational ana charitap,,'
institutions will beneht Iargey oS h''
Mr.. Palmer was born in Westchestel
Nov o6. 1872 He came 10 this city
moor hov and was a driver Tor tlrn'
| on the Broadway stage line. TwentN
wears later he was president or tne com
many In 1S4S he became president @
| the National Broadway. bank, and he,e
| that position for ifty-three years. ~
| resigned in October OF last year of
| The dav he left the bank he distributeo
| 500 OnO in cash among old employees ~
| 10 three wears ago he was one OF u'
| hest known drivers Of fast horses IN th'
I city