The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-02-03
CANDACE KELLYS KIN WANT
GEORGE GIBBONS FORTUNE.
octOgennrians and Centenarians of
Color Seek $4,000 Estate.


What had the appearance of a meet
ing of the African Society of Super
Centenarians, or a reception a la
Roosevelt, took place in thf Office of
Ordinary Henry McAlpin yesterday.
The occasion, however. was nothing
more than a hearing TO determine the
heirs of George Gibbons, an aged ne
gro who died about twelve years ago,
leaving an estate valued at $12, 900, to
which heirs almost innumerable have
put in a claim.
All of these various heirs. represent
ing five generations, are the kith and
kin of old Richard Kelly, the husband
of Candace Kelly. known to fame as
the states eyewitness to the killing of
Gugie Bourquain and Fred Taylor.
Kelly, himself, was a witness, explain
ing to the judge the relation of all of
the score, and more, of legatees and
witnesses. He reiterated his state
ment, made on the stand in the Potter
case, that he is 109 years old. The per-
son through whom the heirs claim is
his cousin.
George Gibbons died testate, leaving
his property to his wife for life, with
remainder to his sister, Lucy Kelly, or
her heirs. His wife, in turn, died last
December, and the question as to who
the real heirs of Lucy Kelly are
arose. Two of Richard Kelly's sons
claimed to be the half brothers, but
on hearing before the Ordinary. their
claims were found to be groundless.
Lucy Kelly has many heirs, her chill
dren frequently marrying. one of her
grandchildren, Savannah Douse, hav-
ing married three times, though she
has not yet reached the age of 80 years
In the bunch yesterday morning there
Weer two octogenarians, one centenari-
an and one super centenarian. Just
how much faith could be pinned to the
statements of the ages of the several
witnesses may be gathered from the
testimony of one of the antiquarians
who, though only 81 years old, said he
remembered when Richard Kelly aged
109. and his superannuated cousin, aged
100, were born. His appearance would
indicate that his age could not be told
in full with less than three numbers,
but he held out that he was but 81,
though he said he expected to live
quite spell yet"
The heirs of Lucy Kelly, who left
the estate last December are her chill
dren, Lenson, Hector, Lettuce, Rosina,
York, Eve and Selma Eve died a
short time ago, leaving as fneirs in her
pace IHree CnllQren, Grant Bonner,
Beulah Watson and Savannah House.
Selma also died. there being a question
as to whether she died prior to the
death of George Gibbons or subsequent
thereto, and on this hinges the right
of her children to share in the estate
The hearing yesterday was for the
purpose of deciding this point. The
evidence went to show that Selma died
before the will was made.
Judge Adams represents the children
of this heir. The decision of the Orr
binary was reserved until Monday, 18th
inst, at which time a distribution of
the estate will be ordered. The proper
ty left to the old negroes is very valu-
able, and when they get it eadN of
them will probably have more than
ever before in their long lives, and with
the additional fascination induced by
prosperity, the Hymenean inclination
may, even at this stage of the game,
grow more pronounced.