The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-26
10 AIR WEIGHTMGN SCANDAL.
LAST EFFORT TO HIDE FAMILY
SKELETON 4 FAILURE.
Mrs. Jones Wistcr'S Daughters Appeal
in vain 10 Have Her Drop the VIII
Contest-Mrs. walker. VINO Got the
aan nnn nnn EnrLmnn Mnn,t nndrn


500, 900, 900 Fortune. Won't Rudge.
PHILADELPHIA, March 25-MTs. Jones
Wister's four daughters met here to-day
and as a result one was sent 10 plead with
their mother TO withdraw from her pro-
posed contest Of the weightmAn will. Their
plea was refused and diplomatic relations
between the two camps have now ceased
finally.
The daughters objected to the Weight
man family skeleton being taken out and
shaken before the public. That there is
family skeleton Il admitted by one OF the
most prominent members Of the family
now split up by the 500 900 900 left by the
wealthy chemist.
The daughters OF Mrs. Wister knew that
no compromise OF the case Is possible
They had heard Mrs. Walker, Weightman's
daughter, declare in their presence that she
would fight 10 the end OF tho last penny Of
the fortune her father left her rather than
yield one cent as a result Of Mrs. Wisters
suit. The daughters Wow Of the case
agreed with that OF Mrs. Walker, yet they
could not, without a final effort, array
themselves against their mother.
Mrs. Visitors daughters are Mrs. Ma
than iel Norton, who had come from New
York for the purpose; Mrs Richard VAIN
meirs, Mrs. John Strawbridge and Miss
Ethel Wister. Mrs. Walnmelrs was chosen as
spokesman, and she went 10 Mrs Visitors
house on Rittenhouse Square and implored
that peace be restored to the family Her
pleadings were in vain. Mrs, Wister is as
firmly convinced Of the justice OF her posi-
ton az her daughters are Of theirs.
While Mrs. Walker is generally credited
with being a shrewder business woman
than Mrs. WisteT, those who are aware
Of the mingled determination and diplomacy
with which Mrs. Wister managed to secure
the documentary evidence to support her
case know that the opposing women are
very evenly matched, and MB. Wister's
reply TO her daughters message was fully
az vigorous as Mrs. Walkers statement
that she would fight to the end for what
she considered ri ht.
As a result Of Mrs. Wisters determlna-
ton to continue the contest her daughters
have, as il were, severed diplomatic relations
with their mother They are determined
that the next proifer Of the olive branch
must come from Mrs. Wister, and the bitter
ness that has followed the failure Of Mrs
cause Perplexing complications in the social
circles Of the city.
The legal petition 10 have the case re-
opened is looked for early next week. In
addition to the mass Of letters In Mns, Wiz
ter's hands from Mr. Weightman, making
promises that his granddaughter would
TeceiYe- bequests. In addition to the evidence
that will be produced re garding the effect
Of the marriage Of the widow Of Mr.. Weight
mans son 10 Mr.. Wister upon Mr. weight
man, who had himself proposed marriage
to her, and in addition to the claim that
will be set up that MIR. Weightman's sons
were his partners and their heirs entitled
TO share in the great drug business, II is
now learned that Mrs. Wister has another
strong point In her contest.
William Weightman's will was drawn up
in favor OF Mrs. Walker nine years before
his death. Less than one year before the
will was made, however, the millionaire,
then so years old, was taken seriously i'll.
His condition became such that the mem
bers Of his family admit that all hope Of
saving his life was given up and the ply
sicians who were attending him said that
he could not recover. II be did recover,
they said, his brain would be affected
But Mr.. Weightman slowly recovered.
These physicians will be summoned az wit
nesses by Mrs. Wister. Their evidence win
be used In connection with the evidence
Of other physicians and persons at to the
of some Of Mr.. WeightmAp's acts
during the last decade OF his life.
This serious illness Of Mr.. Weightman
30 short a time before the making Of his
final will is regarded by many OF Mrs. Wis
ter's friends as the pivot upon which the
entire contest must rest. her evidence
e. his acts after that time all being in the
nature Of supporting expert testimony
his mental condition.