The San Francisco call., 1905-04-01
STANFORD WILL
IS PROBATED
Court Hears Testimony Con-
cerning Mental Condition
of the Aged Philanthropist
DOCUMENT ADMITTED
Witnesses Declare Testatrix
Was of Sound Mind When
Testament Was Drawn Up
Special DizOatch to Tn. Call

SAN JOSE, March 31.-The will OF
the late Mrs. Jane l. Stanford was ad-
mitted to probate. letters of admins
tration were granted to the executors
named in the will and appraisers OF the
estate appointed by Judge Hyland to-
day No one appeared TO contest the
probate of the will. The entire proceed
ings in the big estate occupied less than
an hour.
Judge S. F. Leib of this city and
Mountford s. Wilson of the firm Of
Wilson & Wilson Of San Francisco. who
were the legal advisers Of Mrs STAN
ford, appeared as counsel for the es-
tate.
Mountford S. Wilson. a witness of the
will, was the first witness called to
prove the document, which was made
on July %, 1903. The witness identified
the will filed as that of Mrs. Stanford.
and stated that the viii was in his own
handwriting and drawn up by him at
Mrs. Stanford's direction. The viii was
signed in the library of her home in the
presence Of Mr.. Wilson, Robert e.
Hooker, Charles III. Lowell and T. T.
Draper. Wilson declared that at the
time the will was signed Mrs. Stanford
was in full possession of her mental
IdCulllCS. I1C Sd1Q lllC COQlCtl NdS III
Mrs. Stanford's own handwriting; that
it had been sent to him by Mrs Stan
ford after it had been drawn up. in
August, 1904 and that it had been IN
his possession from that time until 1T
was filed. He knew nothing of its con-
tents until the will was opened after
her death
Charles K. Lowell. an attorney at law,
testified that he knew Mrs. Stanford AT
the time she signed the will. He cor
roborated Wilson's testimony. Robert
G. Hooker and I. T. Draper. the other
| witnesses of the will, gave similar tes-
timony.
Judge Leib explained that the codicil
TO the will was drawn up in San Jose
in August, 1904, at a time when Mrs.
Stanford was on a visit here. She had
sent for Mr.. Leib and intimated her
wishes to him. He prepared rough
draft of a codicil for her, which she
copied Mrs. Stanford at that time.
witness declared. was in possession of
all her mental faculties
Charles G. Lathrop. a brother of Mrs.
Stanford; Timothy Hopkins, Joseph D.
Grant. Whitelaw Reid. who was re-
Gently appointed Minister 10 the Court
of ST. James by President Roosevelt,
and Thomas G. CrotherS, who were
named as executors of the will, were
also examined. They each said Mrs.
Stanford was of sound mind at the
time the will was made.
Russell j. Wilson. who had also been
named as an executor. did not apply
for letters testamentary and waived
all rights in that direction.
Judge Hyland then made an order
appointing Charles e. Lathrop. Tim
! othy Hopkins. Joseph d. Grant. White
! law Reid and Thomas G.. Crothers as
/ executors of the will No bonds are
required of them Gus Lion. a promf-
nent merchant and banker of this city;
Maurice O'Brfen. a retired capitalist.
/ and FELTON, Taylor. City Treasurer of
j Oakland were appointed appraisers of
/ the estate
I The estate of Mrs. Stanford is worth
/ more than $4,000. CO., Charles G.
Lathrop and the descendants OF Daniel
| s. Lathrop. her brothers, her nieces.
i Jennie L Lawton. Amy l. Hanson,
and the children of Christine L. Gun
ming are tosenjoy the income Of trust
fund of s.. 600 900. The will gives s105.-
900 to charitable institutions and $50,
600 to her servants The residue of the
estate is given to the university