The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-10-15
For the Possession OF the
William Weightman Fortune.
BENEFICIARY OF Will
Is Sued by a Daughter-in-Law
of the Dead Man.
She Declares That the Deceased
Made Offer of Marriage.


contest inaugurated to have declared
invalid the will of William Weightman.
the millionaire chemist, who died Ieav-
ing an estate valued at about 100000
| 600. was called for a hearing today be-
fore Judge Ashman in the orphans
court.
William Weightman was the founder
of the Powers & Weightman firm of
chemists. which since his death has
become the Powers " ightman- Ros-
engarten company. He was known to
have acquired q vast fortune and when
he died the public generally was sur
prfsed to ind that it was left entirely
to his daughter, Mrs. Walker. I'm
der the terms Of the Will as offered for
probate nearly all of the vast fortune
was bequeathed to Mr.. W Weightman's
daughter Mrs Anna Welghtman-
Walker. The suit to set aside the
/ Wisters who was daughter-in-
law of Mr. Weightnan, but who
remarked at the death Of her
husband. John Weightman. Mrs.
| Wister, on behalf of her minor daugh-
ter. Martha Weightman, seeks to prove
that Mr. Weightman left a codicil to
his will amply providing for his grand
daughter and the other heirs to the
estate. Mrs Walker denies that any
such codIc1l exists and says the will
/ probate1 was her fathers last and full
expression of his desires in the matter.
If the Will is broken five grand
/ daughters and grandson of Mr..
! Weightruan will be benefited. The case
has attracted considerable attention
/ because of the social prominence Of
/ those concerned. A sensation was
created by Mrs. Wister's declaration,
/ that Mr. W eig htman, who was past 80
years of age, when he died, made a
1 proposal of marriage to her after the
| death of her husband, but that she re-
/ jected him and married Mr.. Wister.
/ The contest has caused the family to
/ split into factions. One Of Mrs. Wister's
daughters, Mrs. Richard Walsh Meiers,
/ formerly Miss Annie w. Weightman
| openly siding with her aunt. She will
probably be witness in Mrs Walkers
| behalf.
A formidable array of counsel has
been retained by both sides. Hanp-
ton L. Carson. attorney general of
| Pennsylvania and John g. Johnson
are at the head of Mrs. Walkers s
group of lawyers, and Alexander Simp-
son, jr., heads the attorneys for Mrs.
| Wister. The two principals in the
case, Mrs. Walker and Mrs. Wister. ar
seats among the crowd Each was
quietly dressed and Mrs. Walkers ap-
pearance gave but slight indication
that she was the possessor of $780,
100000.
The first witness called by the con-
testant was A. W. Hooper, 76 years of
age. who was manager of accounts and
4 credits for Powers & Weightman, of
which concern Mr.. Weightman was
sole member At first he was an un-
willing witness and was threatened
with contempt of court for refusing to
answer certain questions. He had
been a witness to the viii and Mr.
Simpson asked him what money he
had received from Mrs. Walker after
the death of her father.
His first answer was that he re-
cefved his salary up to the time the
firm was taken over by another COM
pany. Then he admitted receiving $40
for each year he was with the firm,
or total of $3.50. Other employees
gifts were at the same rate. Following
this after much coaxing by attorneys
4 $1,000 from Mrs. Walker
what else did you get?' asked Mr.
Simpson.
At this juncture the witness was
threatened with contempt of court for
evading answers.
Finally the Judge informed him that
he was in the hands of the court and
he was instructed to answer.
Mr.. Hooper therupon said: Well.
if am compelled to answer, I received
from Mrs. Walker 800, 1000"
This answer caused a sensation and
much loud conversation ensued. After
order had been restored the witness
said he received the 100000 about
December. 1904. Having established
the fact that he had received gifts
from Mrs. Walker. the lawyers ex-
amined the witness regarding the cir
cumstances OF the signing of the last
will Of Mr.. Weightman on August 1
1905. He had witnessed the signing
Of two other papers prior to the sign
| ing Of the last will. These he believed
We're a viii and codicu but he was
not sure.
EXPRESSED the belief that Mr.. Weight
mans mental condition was perfect al
the time he signed the viii in dispute
Edward T. Davis, private secretary tC
Mr.. Weightman, also witnessed the
1885 will He cOrroborated the pre-
Mr.. Weightman's mental condition
Mrs. Walker was then called. She
. testified that her fathers first will was
executed in 1884. She never saw 1t
three parts, one-third each to herseI1
and her two brothers. When she
heard her father changed his will II
her favor she expressed disapproval al
she preferred it should stand as origin.
8 ally drawn.
II went to see my father the mex
day and he himself said to me I've
changed my will and left everything tE
} YOU 7 asked him, Why did you dS
} it?' and he replied, I have careful,
considered the matter and thought thai
the best disposition Of my property
If 7 outlive you what shall ds
with the estate?' asked ana he said
= DO as you please. I know you love
9 your nfeces and nephews.' .
t When asked II there was any fur
= ther conversation then or afterwar6
3 she said there was not the matter o.
: leaving his estate TO her was Of no i'm.
s portance to her. She tossed her heaG
i as she thus spoke lightly OF $50. 900. 600
What were your relations with Mrs