The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-11-10
ROWLAND
WILL
CONTEST
Witnesses introduced to Show
the Rich Quaker Citizen Was
Of Unsuund Mind.

The last will and testament of Edward
w. Howland. the lately deceased wealthy
citizen Of Little Compton, came up in the
probate court at Little Compton, yester-
day afternoon for a hearing.
II will be remembered that Mr.. How
land left the greater part OF his money to
the Dartmouth Monthly meeting of the
Society of Friends--consequently the win
is now being contested.
No one knows just how much property
Mr.. Howland did leave. II having been es-
timated at ell the way from $4,000 TO
5000. .Ood. comprising the home at Little
Compton. some property I'm Tiverton and
other places.
His housekeeper. who had lived with
him for twenty years and who was SAID
TO be his wife received a bequest OF 1900
by the will and the remainder of his es-
tate was left TO the Society of Friends,
and it'is owing to this fact that Isaac W,
Bowland and Asa r. Rowland OF Little
Compton. William l. Rowland of Chicago.
Franklin Rowland of New Bedford. j. X.
Hicks of Tiverton, j. l.. and G. b. Hicks
Of Fall River s. g. Hicks Of Westport
and r.. w Hicks OF Tiverton as nearest
OF kin are attempting 10 break the unfa-
vorabe will.
w ililhHl H. pliHSNs ~ 'FAbNhAf R'Aifh'''
George Howard John G. @. Brown. Phil
ip Gray and Abel Simmons, who consti-
tute the town council. and who are hear
ing the case opened the session at one
o'clock yesterday after some delay caus-
ed by the tardy appearance OF Job $. Glib
Icy, who represents the Society OF
Friends.
Town Clerk John n. Taylor told OF
dra wing up the will and of his evincing
some surprise when Mr. Howland said
he wished 10 leave 5000 10 his housekeep-
er, Lydia n. Remington. lie further tes-
titled that Mr.. Rowland took oath. ex-
claiming. Before God, we we're never
married" This statement was substan-
tiated by the woman In question, he said
Mrs. Emily j. Butler. another bene-
question: MIR. Rowland was feeble. but
/ don't think he lost his mind
Mr. Sheffield remarked: Some people
never thought ne had any
II thought he seemed very bright ioi
such a sick man as he was continued
Mrs. Butler.
''Did YOU ever call the woman who lived
with Mr.. Howland Mrs llowiand?'
Certainly I thought she was his wife.
Mr. Sheffield in opening his case said
that Il was generally conceded that Mr..
Howland was q man of unsound mind. de-
fed the laws OF state and county. think.
ing them powerless. and In other ways
proving the weakness ~ his mind.
William h Hawes OF Fall River had
some trining difficulty with Mr. Rowland
once, and he testified that he believed
him 10 be OF unsound mind
John s. Perry said he had known Mr.
Howtand for 10 years and had often got
him out OF police stations and jail on baii
and that he loaned him money at ODD
times in varying amounts. even as high
as 1880 at one time. The witness stated
that MIR. Rowland was IN the habit OF
carrying bank books and securities OF an
aggregate value OF s2O1.eo around on his
person. - -
Albert G. Kirby OF New Bedford was
the next witness called. and when askeu
a. he thought Mr. Rowland WAS compe-
tent 10 make n will replied. Il don KNOW
whether he was or not.
-Four more witnesses we're examined ailu
they were all Of the general opinion tna,
M Rowland was ~ an unbalanced mlhu
AT the time the will I'm question was nans; "a
The court then adjourned uhul ,,v
o'clock last evening. when the eNsmliih-
tion 81 witnesses was resumed. with no
important developments.