The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-06-24

Mt. Vernon. had been decided TO her
during his lifetime. Under the New
anees could not be made directly from
husband 10 wife.
Land Conveyed Indirectly.
In five separate deeds, therefore. the
several properties had been conveyed
first BY Mr.. Duncombe 70 his wife's
daughter. Eunice z Mcclellan, and then
by deeds executed simultaneously had
been conveyed back by Eunice 20 her
mother. Naomi Duncombe- These deeds
Clarence S. Mcclellan, president OF the
First National Bank Of MI Vernon. ad-
mitted TWO weeks ago.
Certain Of the lawyers who have been
busy for years advocating the claims OF
the Williams heirs contend that Mr..
DuncOmbe signed these cOnveyances
only 10 appease the urgent demands OF
his wife: that ne subsequently put them
away, not intending 20 have them re-
corded. but that in some way they were
subsequently, recorded, and his daughter
Adeline and her family were thus strip
ped OF their share in his estate
Not long after the death OF Mr.. Dun
COmbe. Patrick J. Ring. who had had a
somewhat Checkered past. in the course
Of which he had been a professional
wrestler and strong man In a travelling
circus, came cOnspicuOusly 70 the front
as the closest friend and the business
manager Of Mrs Duncombe's anairs.
Under HIS auspices she built an opera
house in Mt Vernon which he managed
She finally married Ring.
Second Husband Also Named
In the suit just begun by Williams
Ring is named as cO-defendant with
Clarence S. Mcclellan.
Before the Williams heirs began 70
fight for what they considered their
rights. Adeline Williams. their mother.
had died, and action was taken in the
names OF ner children
Alleging undue influence. the grand
children OF Mr.. Duncombe therefore de-
manded Of their step grandmother a
share OF the estate which had been
given 70 her. They declared that the
very property in which the woman now
| lives was given 10 their mother, Mrs.
Ade1ne Williams. April q, 1873. They
said they had been left IN uudistrubed
possession OF the old stone house until
October, 1859, when their grandfather,
listening 10 the pleadings Of his second
| wife. drove them away. Efforts were
made, covering a period Of several
years, 20 effect friendly settlement,
and then, about six years ago. Simon
r Williams, DuncOmbe Drage Will
liams, and their sister. Beatrice Robin
son, retained the services OF John
Brooks Leavitt. and suit was brought
BY him In their behalf against Mrs
Duncombe for share Of the estate.
The Burned VIII.
Under settlement which was private
" effected out OF court Mrs Duncombe
s said 10 have divided about $4,000 be
tween the three grandchildren. The
plaintiffs al that time placed the value
Of their grandfathers estate az about Sc
00J,00o and averred that Mrs. Duncombe
enjoyed therefrom an income of about
10000 a year.
The viii probated IN 1894, which the
Williams heirs had contested. bore date
Of 1889 Under its terms nearly all the
residue OF the Duncombe estate not al
ready conveyed to the wife, Naomi
through her daughter, Eunice Mcclellan,
had been left 10 Naomi DuncOmbe. Some
years later there was produced the part
y burned pages OF what purported 70 BE
another and a later will. bearing date OF
September 3. 1892. The williams heirs
alleged that when they had accepted a
settlement OF the former suit ont Of
court they had no knowledge Of the eX-
is-enCe Of the later viii Though scOrch-
ed. and in spots burned clear through,
the greater part OF this instrument, in
Guiding the alleged signature Of Alfred
Hall DunCombe is perfectly iegible. 1t
is now in the hands OF Mr. Leavit. and
its scOTChed pages have been carefully
photographed.