Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-15
FIGHT IN COURT
IS TODAY BEGUN
FOR UNTOLD GOLD.
Initial Skirmish in Philadelphia
Tribunal for 100000, 1000.
ESTATE OF GREAT CHEMIST
William Weightman Acquired His
Colossal Wealth in Drugs.
SIX WOLD-BE BENEFICIARIES
II the instrument is Broken Five
Granddaughter and Grandson
Will Reap Harvest.
William Weightman Acquired His
Colossal Wealth in Drugs.
SIX W0LD-BE BENEFICIARIES

The trial OF the great cause to
settle the estate of William Weight
man, the multi-mililonaire chemist
of the Quaker city, was begun to-
day. The would-be benefciaries
under the will are numerous, and
a distinguished array of counsel
has been engaged for the legal bat
tie, which on the very first day be-
came intensely interesting, accord
ing to late advices. The estate is
valued at 500, 900, and Manager
Hopes of the chemists firm told
unwillingly of a gift of 100000 to
him from Mrs. Walker.
PHILADELPHIA. October 15-The great
contest inaugurated to have declared in
valid the will of William Weightman, the
millionaire chemist, who died leaving an
estate valued at about $50 coo 900. was call
ed for hearing today before Judge Ash
man. in the orphans court.
William Weightman was the founder of
the Powers & Weightman firm of chemists,
which, since his death has become the
Powers Weightman- Rosengarten Company.
He was known to have acquired vast
fortune and when he died the public gener-
ally was surprised to find that 1t was left
entirely TO his daughter, Mrs. Walker. I'm
der the terms of the will as offered for
nrOhafp oil Of he at cfota ha
queathed to Mr.. Weightman's daughter
Mrs. Anne Weightman-Walker. The suit
to set aside the will was instituted by Mrs
Jones Wister, who was daughter-in-law
Of Mr.. Weightman. but who remarked at
the death of her husband John Weight
man. Mrs. Wister on behalf of her minor
daughter, 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 es-
tate. Mrs. Walker denies that any such
codicil exists, and says the will proba bly
was her fathers last and full expression
Of his desires in the matter
Many Are Concerned.
II the will is broken five granddaughters
and grandson of Mr.. Weightman will be
benefited. The case has attracted consid-
cradle attention because of the social prom
inence of those concerned sensation
was created by Mrs. Wister's declaration
that Mr.. Weightman, who was past eighty
years of age when he died made a pro-
posal of marriage to her after the death
of her husband, but that she rejected him
and married Mr.. Wister. The contest has
caused the family to split into factions.
One of Mrs. Wisters daughters, Mrs. Rich
ard VAIN Meirs formerly Miss Annie w.
Weightman. openly siding with her aunt.
She will probably be witness in Mrs.
Walkers behalf.
An Array of Counsel.
formidable array of counsel has been
retained by both sides-Hampton L. Carson
attorney general of Pennsylvania and John
q. johnson are at the head of Mrs Walkers
group of lawyers. and Alexander Simpson.
jr.. heads the attorneys for Mrs. Wtster
The two principals in the case, Mrs Walker
and Mrs. Wister. arrived in the court room
early and took seats among the crowd Each
was quietly dressed. and Mrs. Walkers an
pearance gave but slight indication that she
was the possessor of $50, 900 600
The first witness called by the contest
ant was A. w. Hopes. seventy-six years
old. who was manager of accounts and
credits for Powers & Weightman of which
concern Mr.. Weightman was sole member
At first he was an unwilling witness, and
was threatened with contempt of court for
refusing to answer certain questions He
had been witness to the WILL and Mr.
Simpson asked him what sums of money
he had received from Mrs. Walker after
the death of her father His first answer
was that he received his salary up to the
time the firm was taken over by another
company Then he admitted receiving s2C
for each year he was with the firm. a total
Of $500 Other employees received gifts a,
the same rate.
Following this. after much coaxing by
attorneys, he admitted receiving a present
Of 5000 from Mrs. Walker.
What else did you get?" asked Mr. Simp
A Private Matter.
THAT is a private matter" he replied
At this juncture the witness was threat
ened with contempt of court for evadins
answers.
Finally the judge informed him that h,
was in the hands OF the court and he wa.
Instructed to answer.
Mr.. Hopes thereupon said: We'll. If
an compelled to answer, / received from
Mrs Walker 100000.
This answer caused a sensation and mucl
bud conversation ensued. After quiet had
Dsen restored the witness said he received
the 500 900 about December q. 1904.
Having esta blished the fact that he haS