The evening world., 1903-05-13
Aged Adaline Townsend Be-
queathed Nearly Half a Million
to Joseph H. Mahan, Her hus-
bands Protege.
LEFT ALL HER COUSINS OUT.
Now They Have Begun q Contest
and Give Hints that a Medium
Aided In the Preparation Of the
VIII Favoring Mahan.

A contest Of the will of Mrs. Adalin,
Darrow Townsend. widow OF Henry p
Townsend. was begun to-day before Sur
rogate Thomas. BY this will she be
queathed the greater part OF her estate
of about $4,000 to Joseph H. Mahan
her husbands protege. who became hi:
law partner.
The contestants are Rufus Darrow
John c. Sharp. Hartman P. Sharp, Orlze
A. Sharp. Mrs. lane A. Allen and Mrs
Maria Sharp. cousins and second cousin:
OF Mrs. Townsend, who was eighty-sis
years old when she died last February
They make sensational charges thro lgt
their attorney, Louis F. Dodds. a beard
less young lawyer. There are hints OF
spirits. spirrtism. the Intervention OF
mediums and the help of invisible spirits
In drawing the will.
In anticipation OF sensational develop
ments. Surrogate Thomas's courtroom
was filled with curious spectators when
the contest began.
Jacob H. Shaffer, the lawyer who
drew the will which is challenged, and
who was one OF the three subscribing
witnesses. was called to the stand by
District-Attorney John F. Clarke, of
Brooklyn. counsel for Mr.. Mahan. Mr..
Shaffer testified that Mrs Townsend
was perfectly clear in mind and men,
orv
Spoke of Two Other Wills.
Mr.. Dodd cross-examining asked
about two other wills which Mr.. Shaf-
fer had drawn. Mr.. Shaffer produced
three wills. but when the young lawyer
essayed a cross-examination of the
older lawyer about them. and why they
were superseded by the will offered for
probate. Surrogate Thomas stopped
him, declaring that it was of no i'm
rortance as those wills were not Of
fered for probate.
But, We propose to show that these
various wills were drawn by three
people, but that they didn't quite suit,
and that this last will was the final
result of the operations of persons who
were in absolute control OF this weak
old woman" said Mr.. Dodd.
He said some signatures in one of the
Wills were In different ink to the rest OF
the. VIII. .~s..... -.
There were two or three pens there"
said Lawyer Shtffer. II had foun-
tain pen, and 1 think DR.. Dominick
lGraeven had fountain pen. and al!
may have been used
Called Stone Ridiculous.
Domlnck A. Greaven. Of Perry's Phar
macy, who was a subscribing witness 10
five willis for Mrs. Townsend between
November. 1900 and November 1902. de-
clared that the stories of spirtualist
mediums was ridiculous
The funeral service, described as "spir-
itualistic" by the contestants, was the
Protestant Episcopal service and was
read BY Rev. stephen Merritt.
The Surrogate told the young lawyer
many of his questions were offensive, and
Mr.. Clarke made some women in the
audience blush by referring TO their gig
Cling enjoyment of the cross-examina-
ton"
"They seem to enjoy the play" said
Clarke: they have Just applauded"
Want to See Prescriptions.
Attorneys for the Chemical National
Bank and Goodman's Pharmacy inter-
posed to ask instructions from the Sur
rcgate as To their duties under SUBJ
poenas served upon them
''rhe contestants have cited the man;
ager of the drug store to produce all
the prescriptions put up for Mrs.
Townsend during the last three years
of her life said one. THAT would in
volve an expense of not less than 500
will suggest the time or the particular
prescriptions they want us to produce
we would be glad to comply.
The Chemical Bank had been sub.
celled evidence of their dealings with
Mrs. Townsend, and made a similar
protest.
The matter was left in abeyance by
tho Surrogate. who said he hoped tine
attorneys would agree upon something
definite,