Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-04-11
CURIOUS WILLS.
Legal Contest May Be the Result at
Portland.

| o.' AplH lo.-Ihe Grimm
WIZ case promises to be added to the
number of interesting contested will
cases here.
Some weeks ago Mrs. Elizabeth Bib
Der WIDOW of Capt. Albert p. Bibber.
cned at her residence at the Falmouth
foresldc, and the next day Cant.
Nliham Griffin, her friend during more
IMAM % eVentful years, followed her.
| ana there was double funeral. Cant
urlIlin was at the point of death before
lhe oeath OF Mrs. Bibber, but that
event doubtless FASTENED it. Mrs. Bib
Der was = and Capt. Griffin about g..
born III Bristol. Me-, Mrs. Bibber left
her home while girl of 10 and OBJ
| tanned work in the Biber clam house.
on Mill creek in Falmouth. A wear lat
er, while only II, she married Albert F.
hibpcr' young man of q. She looked.
so Old people say, much older than II.
ana would have passed for 20.
Inc youthful couple worked hard and
saved their money. After they set up
housekeeping William Griffin, then a
boy, secured work in the clam house
ana lived with the Bibers. They be-
came fast friends and their friendship
| lasted during their lives and led to a
strange sort of co-partnership, and to
me formation of firm destined to op-
crate in all quarters of the globe.
Albert z. Bibber had been a sailor
| ana after his marriage went to sea for
some years, taking Mrs. Bibber and the
| boy. William Griffin, with him. The
latter became mate and served in that
capacity for some time. Later he be-
came master mariner, but fell back
to his old place as chief mate whenever
he sailed with Capt. Bibber.
TIE three continued fast friends and
ut last dubbed their money and built Il
fine schooner. Capt. T!ibber command
cd her. Capt. Griffin was his mate and
Mrs. Bibher went with them.
They traded in every part of the
world and We're willing at all times to
take Il freight. no matter where to-
They sreculated and made money
Rapidly. They bought then for $50 a
piece of land now worth fully $4,000
and still part OF the estate.
After many years of life sea Capt
Dibber retired, having built nice
house at n cost of about $1,000. There
he lived Until his death a few days ago.
Capt. Griffin followed the sea for a
short time after the retirement of his
friends and then sold out his interests
in number Of vessels ana himself set
tied down, going to live with the Bib
bors.
After the death of Capt. Biber. the
two surviving partners of the firm,
Capt. Griffin and Mrs. Bibber, contin-
ued to live in the pretty and almost
stately house. Mrs. Bibber aged rap
idly after the death of Capt. Bbbcr AMI
| grow very feeble. capt. Griffin, who
had always regarded her as his nearest
friend. took care of her.
The por health of Mrs. Bibber forced
her to remain Mt home and Capt. Grif
fin leo 4 very secluded life, seldom Wis
itinS Portland. lie vas god taliEer
when he be came Interested in q subject.
but he had few friends and no init
mates, For some time previous to his
death. his health was not good.
| Capt. Bibber left his estate to his
wife, and Cant. Griffin and hrs. Bib
Der made Wills, giving to each other
life interest in the entire estate. Mrs.
1ibher provided that if Capt. Griffin
survived her the estate should go to
him during his life. he to be free to use
II rs he might see fit. but that on his
death the remainder should go to the
| worthy poor of her native town Of
Hristol.
In his viii Cart. Griffin gave his
property. under similar conditions. to
Mrs. Bibher during her life, whatever
what might be left at her death to go
to TIRE local cemtery. Capt. Griffin had
4 life interest in the estate Of Mrs. Bib
Enr loss than "a hoursr.
| II has been understood in rather 4
vague way that Mrs. Bibber was not
on good terms with her family. beCa usc
Of some trouble growing out of the dis
trihU;ion Of ten estate of her father.
Cant. Griffin never showed the least in
tercst in his relatives and only cared.
rs far rs could be seen, fer the Bibbers.
Neither Capt. Biber, Capt. Griffin nor
Mrs. BiDher Yer made any special
friends among their townspeople.
| There is yet no sign that he will of
Mrs. Eibber is to he contested, but it
is understood that here will he fight
over the Will of Capt. Griffin. Harry
T. r. Dolan. n Boston attorney, rep
rnsenting Caleb Griffin, a brother OF
Capt. Griffin. has entered an appear
ance in the court of probate and came
here, this week. to investigate the mat
ter He retained Hon. J. W. Symonds
Of this city, and there is every indica-
ton of 4 big legal battle ahead. The
estate is represented by benjamin
Thompson. attorney and administrator.
| Capt Griffin added n codicil to his
will the day before his death. He was
unable to sign. but laid a dying hand
on that Of one Of the persons in the
room at the time.
The value Of his estate is said to ex-
coed $4,000.