Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-10-27
POOR Mr.. BRYAN!
Appears in Public Seeking for
a Money Legacy!
Denies the Widows Right to Her
Late Husbands Property.
A Pretty Sight, indeed, for Late Presi-
Dental Candidate!


ments in the Philo s. Bennett will case,
the testimony in which including the
unsealing of a letter in which bequest
had been made to VIM. ]. Bryan, was
presented last week, We're heard by
Judge Cleveland in the probate court.
tonight. Judge Henry Stoddard of this
city, counsel for Mrs. Bennett, the
widow, Mr.. Bryan in his own behalf
and Henry G. Newton, his counsel, adj
dressed the court.
In the course of his argument Judge
Stoddard arraigned Mr. Bryan in Sc
we're terms. Mr.. Bryan in reply said
that if Mr.. Bennett could stand being
maligred for his political beliefs he
could endure criticism for following his
friends wishes.
When court opened counsel for Mrs.
Bennett had several documents previ-
ously read in the case to be re-read so
that they might become a part of the
records, Mr.. Bryan identifying them as
they were in turn handed to him. Judge
Stoddard, Mrs. Benefits counsel. then
handed him n letter written, Oct. II,
1903 at Chicago. Ill.
Mr.. Bryan acknowledged that it was
his and his signature, which appeared
subscribed to it. The letter follows in
part:
My Dear Mrs. Bennett:
/ find that l have more than an hour
before the arrival of the New York
train and the departure of the Ne
braska train and l shall employ a mo-
ment in writing to you. l have not yet
recovered from my surprise at the
course taken by your counsel, your
niece and yourself in regard to the
money left you in trust. From the con-
duct of your attorney l am satisfied
that he is willing to defeat Mr.. Benz
nett's purpose if it can be done. Your
niece's disappointment at Mr.. Bennett s
failure to specifically remember his
namesake, together with the fact that
your niece and her mother received less
than was expected, seems to have in
fluenced that branch of the family to
attempt to defeat the plain and long
standing plan of the testator. Disap-
pointment can also account for the half
brothers willingness to defeat the will,
but as my proposed arrange
ment gives you practically as much
as you could secure by attack
ing the SO 100000 dollar) provision
q voluntarily offered you the income
on about $4,000 as long as you needed
it, did not?) and by defeating the will
you would only get absolutely $4,000,
less attorneys fees and inheritance
tax, l am satisfied that your action is
due to the persuasion of a lawyer I'M
friendly to the political views of Mr..
Bennett and myself and to the persua-
sion of the relatives whose disappoint-
nlent has made them Indifferent to the
wishes of their benefactor. Your ex-
preston of confidence and the willing
ness of the relatives and Judge Stod-
dard to defeat Mr.. Benefits purpose.
has led me to reconsider my decision
on the executorship. / wish you would
therefore delay action until further no.
tice. If l retire in favor of any one
think it ought to be some one who
sympathized with his views and pur-
poses, or Mr.. Sloan, who was designat-
ca by him and who was his intimate
associate. l told you that I would not
against your wishes accept the sum
intended for me personally, but know
ing that he gave to his relatives all that
he thought he ought to, am not will
ing that they shall defeat his purpose
if l can help it, and l am not willing
that they shall put in my place an
executor who will go into Office pledged
10 try to defeat the WILL
Il thought l had better notify you at
once, as l had told you that would not
serve at ali. / enclose a notice that you
can give to Judge Stoddard. You can
use your own judgment about showing
this to any one or keeping it as conf
dental. Please write me as soon as
you see the sealed letter, as that may
possibly clear uD the matter.
Wishing you health, | am,
Yours truly,
(Signed) "W. ]. BRYAN"
After the letter had been read and
admitted Mr.. Stoddard asked Mr..
Bryan:
What conduct on the part of Mrs.
Benefits attorney did you refer to in
this letter.
From the first time that she talked
with you was convinced that there
Continued on page 3D.