The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-12
THE SUN, MONDAY, JUNE IL. 1905.
FORFEITED WEIGHTMAN CASH.
MRS. WISTER DIDN'T DESERVE 1T,
DECLARES MRS. WALKER.

n
Answer to Suit to Break the VIII Sets UI
Reckless Extravaganza" and Eyas or
Concerning Her Marriage With WisteI
Nj Reasons why She was Cut or
PHILADELPHIA. June ll.-That Mrs. Jones
Wister by reckless extrava gance" while
acting as housekeeper for the ate Villa m
Wieghtmen and by evasion ooncernine
her marriage with Jones Wister prevented
herself and her children from getting a
| share in the old chemists sac, 600 900 estate
will be the two main contentious in the lega
answer of Mrs. Anne NJ. Weightman Walker
the daughter to whom was left all the for
tune, to Mrs. Wister's appeal to the courts
| for the breaking OF WeightInan's will.
| Mrs. Walker will further auege that
Martha Weightman, the minor daughter
Of Mrs. Wister by her marriage with Will
liam Weightmen's son, in whose beha II
the suit is brought, was induced by mis-
representation to sign the papers appoint
ing her mother as her guardian.
In response to the charge of undue in
huence exerted by Mr.. and Mrs. Walker
upon Mr.. Weightman, it will be set forth
that during the last seven years OF Mr..
Weightmans life both Mr.. and Mrs. Walker
were away from Mr.. Weghtman. on an
average, about eight months out OF every
twelve.
Denial will be made Of the statement in
the contestants petition that upon the
day the will was drawn leaving the SEQ 900.
900 estate to Mrs. Walker Mr.. Weight
man entertained all his grandchildren
at his house. Denial will be made Of the
charges that Mr.. Weightman was weak
physically mentally and morally" at the
time the will was signed, and it will also be
denied that he ever spoke i'll Of Jones
Wister's personal habits; that he was in
sanely jealous Of Mr.. Wister and that he
ever made oodicl to his last will.
Regarding the authenticity of Mr.. Weight
mans will and the allegation that be was
unduly influenced in making it by Mrs.
Walker and her husband the legal advisers
of Mrs. Walker. who made the statement
tonight concerning her defense, sai4:
when Mr. Weightman drew up the will
in dispute he summoned Mr.. and Mrs.
Walker and several other members Of the
family to his library at Ravenhill and there
in formal terms stated that he had that day,
at his Office, drawn up new will, leaving
everything to Mrs. Walker.
Mrs. Walker was greatly surprised and
at once asked il in so disposing OF his estate
Mr.. Weightman had any commands to lay
upon her regarding its management or any
wishes be would have her carry out. Mr.
Weightman stated explicitly that he left it
TO her unoopditionally. as he felt that she
would handle it properly.
Up until this suit was threat tened it was
always a source Of regret to Mrs. Walker
that Mr.. Weightman had not planned diff
ferently.
Mr.. Weightman was great believer in
giving young man or young woman
a start in the world and then leaving them
to carve out their own fortune. He was not
inclined to make things too easy for any
one, and in several cases in his life directly
refused to lend or give money to close rela-
tives.
In giving each Of his grandchildren
500, 900 those who knew Mr. Weightman
best believe that his intention was TO give
could do for themselves. TO provide for
the girls comfortably, and not make them
a shining mark for fortune hunters.
The account given in the. contes tant's
petition regarding the place OF Mrs, Wister
and Mrs Walker in the chemists family
the death of her first husband, Mr., Weight
mans son, took charge OF the school lane
residence for Mr. Weightman. She had
about $3.50 900 Of her own.
She spent money very freely and the
house she purchased for herself upon
Before she bad long been in Mr.. Weight
mans house the two began to differ about ,
many things. AS has been said, Mr.. Weight !
man liked to manage his own affairs and ,
that he was influenced by Mrs. Walker !
ap sone a day Mr. weightman received
formal letter from Mr. Jones Wister asking |
Tor the hand of the then Mrs. Weightman /
N marriage. Mr.. Weighiman did not |
but he wrote Mr, Wister stating that Mrs. /
Weightnan was of age and that he would .
lot attempt to exercise any control over
1er movements.
Mr.. Wister after that. came to the house
1t not frequent intervals and finally, on the
surprised the family with the announce
nent that she would marry Mr. Wister the
lext day In Holy Trinity Church. She then
eft for trip abroad. Mr.. Weightman, so
ar as ever heard, never spoke one word
against the personal character Of Mr.; MISTER
ma rriage Mr.. and Mrs. Richard W. Meirs
lad come to spend the sumner at Mr..
Heightmans home. During Mrs. Wisters
lbsence Mr. Weightuan induced Mrs.
deirs to take charge Of the household.
hrs. Walker never was the head Of the
household. Whenever, on rare instances,
he wished to remain over night she asked
I she mi ght do go, and statements that she
vas in charge of Mr.. Weightman's house
lold at any time are entirely incorrect.
Ar. Walker never passed even one night
lnder Mr.. Weiehtman's roof.
Mr. Walker was an exceedingly wealthy
nan in his own right. His estate amounted
o several million dollars and neither he
lor Mrs. Walker had any reason ever to
hink OF money. After Mrs. Wister re-
uned from her wedding trip she came
o Mr.. Weightman's house, evidently ex-
'ec.ing to resume her old position In the
but Mr.. Weightman let her
that he had made other plans.
"A statement In the contestants petition
hat Mr.. Weightman thought Wister's
riends might look down upon him socially
} rare humor to Mr.. Weightmans best
riends, who know how little he cared for
ha doipoe ~ tho fashionable