The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-10-15
Vast Fortune Of William Weight
men the Object of: Bitter
~ Fight of Heirs.
DAUGHTER, LEFT ALL,
DEFENDANT IN CONTEST
Daughter-in-Law of Rich Chemist
Seeks Share for Her.
Children. sii
Rumor of Compromise.

Philadelphia, Oct. 15.-When court
reconvened at 2 pm. the case, on mo-
ton of attorneys for Mrs. Wister, was
postponed. This action caused surprise
and there was a rumor that there had
been compromise. -~r
Philadelphia, Oct. 15-The great con-
test to have declared invalid the will
of William Weightman, the millionaire
valued at about $50 ,000,0 900, was called
for a 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 W'eightman- Rosen-
garten company. He was known to
have acquired vast fortune, and when
he died the public generally was sur
prised to find that it was left entirely
to his daughter, Mrs. Anne Weightman-
Walker.
Says Codicil Was Made.
The suit to set aside the will was
Instituted by Mrs. Jones Wlster, who
was a daughter-in-law of Mr.. Weight
man, but who remarked at the death of
her husband, John Weightman.
Mrs. Wister, on behalf of her minor
daughter, Martha Weightman,. seeks to
prove that Mr.. Weightman left codi-
Gil to his will amply providing for his
granddaughter and the other heirs to
the estate. Mrs. Walker denies that
any such codicil exists. and says the
will probated was her father s last and
full expression of his desires IN the mat
ter.
Proposal of Marriage.
If the will is broken, five grand,
daughters and a grandson of Mr..
Weightman will be. benefited. The case
has attracted considerable attention be-
cause of the social prominence OF those
concerned.
A sensation was created by Mrs Wis
ter's declaration that Mr.. Weightman
who was past so years of age when ne
died, made a proposal of marriage te
her after the death of her husband
but that she rejected him and married
Mr.. Wister. -"
:. Contest Splits Family. .,.y
The contest has caused the family
70 snlit in Factions One Of Mrs Wis
ter's daughters, Mrs. Richard air
Meters, formerly Miss Annie w
Weightman, openly siding with he1
aunt. She will probably be a witness
in Mrs. Walkers behalf. -, - S.
I, Hampton L. Carson, attorney genera
of Pennsylvania, and. General Johnso
are at the head of the, Mrs, Wake
group of LAWYERS. and Alexander S1mI
son. Jr., heads the attorneys for MT:
Wister. , ,,-.-. :n~<.
The two principals in the case: Mr.
Walker and Mrs. Wister, arrived in tn
courtroom early and took seats anon
the crowd. Each was quietly dresse
and Mrs Walkers appearance gave br
slight indication that she was the POI
SCISSOR Of $50 100000. -: ':.
Got Money from Mrs. Walker.
The first witness called by the col
testant was A. W. Hopes, who we
manager Of accounts and credits II
Germ Mr.. Weightman was sole membe
At first he was an unwilling witnes
He had been a witness to the will an
Mr.. Simpson asked him what sums {
money he had received ~" from Mr.
Walker after the death of her fathe
His first answer was that he receive
his salary UP to the time the firm W;
taken over by another company. The
he admitted receiving 500 for eat
year he was with the firm, or tot
of $780, Other employees received gif
at the same rate.
Following this, after much coaxil
by attorneys, he admitted receiving
present of $4,000 from Mrs. Walker.
"What else did you gets' ask
Mr.. Simpson. -.
"That is private NATTER" he ,
piled.
100000 Present.
At this iuncture the witness W
threatened with contempt of court f
evading answers. Finally the Judge
formed him that he was in the han
of the court and he was instructed
answer Mr.. Hopes thereupon said
e.. -. Well, if I am compelled to {
swer, I received from Mrs. Walk
100000" -.
This answer caused a sensation a
much loud conversation ensued. Aft
quiet had been restored the witn
said he received the 100000 abe
Dec. 81, 1904.
Saw Other Papers Signed.
Having established the fact that
had received gifts from Mrs. Walk
the lawyers examined the witness
garding the circumstances Of the 81
ing Of the last will of Mr.. Weightm
on Aug. 1, 1895. He had witnessed
signing of two other papers prior
the signing of the last will. These
believed were will and codicil, but
was not sure tt-
Fl. ~ Shes at Cameras. =
Mrs. Walker was then called.
she took the stand she exposed her:
to a battery of cameras which she
/ up to that time avoided by holdin,
small fan before her face.
She testified her fathers first :
was executed in 1884. She never
it but understood it divided the est
4 In three parts, one-third each to ]
\ self and her two brothers. ID When
Il heard her father changed his will
II her favor she expressed her4disappro
i as she preferred it should stand
originally drawn. ses =. :
$ $6o,ooOooo Mere sTrifIe.
Il went to see my father the I
day, and he himself said to me:
have changed my will and left ev
thing to you j asked him: Why
] you do it, and he replied: Il h
4 carefully considered the matter
thought that the best disposition Of
property. 'If'I outlive YOU, what S
I do with the estate9 Il asked, ant
VI said: Do as you please.SsI know
love your niecess and nephews. -
When asked if there was any