New-York tribune., 1908-09-29
ATTACKS HEWITT WILL
Sister Contests Testament Citing
81 500, 900 to Museum.
[By Telegraph TO The Tribune ]

Owego, N. Y, Sept 2S-obiections to the probat-
ing of the will OF Frederick c. Hewitt filed by
Mrs. Charlotte H. Arnot. of Elmira, sister and
nearest relative of Mr.. Hewitt. when that instru-
ment was offered for probate in the Tioga County
Surrogates Court. The contestant charges that the
will was improperly made and executed; that the
deceased was mentally and legally incapable OF
making will because of unsound mind and undue
influence, and that the will is ineffective and illegal
in respect t2 the clause whereby the Metropolitan
Museum Of Art, in New York City, is made the
resduary legatee of the estate. which Is estimated
to amount TO over $4,000. 000
The contestant. also disputes the legality of the
two codcils dated August IS and IS respectively,
and made and executed during the last Illness of
the deceased, by charging that said codicis not
codcils of the will; that they not freely and
voluntarily made. but were made under undue in
fuence and at a time when the deceased men
tally incapable of making and executing said codi-
ellis.
December Is is the date selected for the first
hearing the contest. Mrs Arnot's attorneys,
Reynolds. Stanchfeld Collin, of E1mira. and
Clark & Truman, of Owego. John B. Stanchfed.
of Elmira and New York, will appear as trial
sci for the contestant at the hearing. Andrews &
Ellis. of Owego. and Harendeen & Vaudeville, of
Elmira- and Martin S. Lynch, OF No. 80 Liberty
street New York. their counsel. are the attor-
neys for County Judge George F. Andrews and
Gurdon H. Pumpey, of Owego, the executors
named in the will
At the proceedings this morning, which held
before Special County Surrogate Bell, De Forest
Brothers. of No so Broad street New York;
toFneys for the Metropolitan Museum Of Art were
represented by Robert ". de Forest. At the close
of the proceedings Mr.. de orest said to a re-
porter for The Tribune:
The interests of the Metropolitan Museum of
Art and its duty in this matter exactly similar
TO that of the executors The museum wishes TO
do its part in carrying out the intention.
He was deeply interested in the museum to which
he left legacy OF s1.5O0000. He visited it many
times His art collections illustrate his own in
terest in the subject of art
The New York POSTGRADUATE School and Hospi
tai, which received s2.00O,000 by the WILL rep
resented by ]. G. Jackson of Taylor & Anderson.
No. 95 Wall street. New York. counsel for the hos
pital.
The contestants attorneys received permission TO
amend the objections filed before the opening of
the hearing. 1t said to-day that the fight to
set aside the instrument would probably be vaged
chiefly the grounds of undue influence.
The direct heirs of Mr. Hewitt are Mrs. Arnot,
Owego, nephews, and Mrs. Frederick H Elwood
of Rochester, a niece. Each of the nephews re-
ceved $4,000 by the will and the niece 100000
Mrs Arnot got nothing in the will, and IT is said
she is displeased because the will directs that all
Of the testators property. including the family
plate and heirlooms, be converted into cash She
is reputed 10 property valued at over S3,eo,en