The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1908-01-16
SMELL LAV|SHED
MONEY ON women
SENSATIONAL ALLEGATIONS IN
SUIT ON TRIAL AT
CLINTON, ILL.
Son Trying to Break WilI--Lats Nil.
iionalrs Gave Much to Craaanieee
and 10 Said to Have Been Dupe
OF Others.

Clinton, ILL.,, Jan. lO.-Testimony
was begun Thursday in the suit insti-
tuted by Richard Smell, son OF Col.
Thomas Smell the late millionaire
railroad builder. In the Dewitt county
circuit court to break the will which
cuts young Smell of with an annuity
of but $50.
Sensational statements we're made
by counsel for the plaintiff to the ef
feet that Col Smell had expended no
less than 100000 upon women dur
ing the last ten years Of ais life, Of
which $4,000 had gone to his alleged
grandniece, Maybelle Snell., of Kansas
City, Mo-. now Mrs. MCNAMARA.
Dupe Of Society Womsn7
The plaintiff stated that letters will
be read to the Jury that were found
among Col Snslrs possessions indi-
tating that society women had cajoled
nearly a quarter OF . million dollars
from the late millionaire.
Richard Smell, who II president Of
the Dewitt County National bank. a.
lesss that the terms of his fathers
will were the result Of "A EVIL and
wrongful Influence" exertsd over his
father by Msybelle Smell. now Mrs.
McNamara.
Col Smell made his fortune building
railroads, including 800 miles OF the
Illinois Central. During the civil var
he commanded the One Hundred and
Seventh regiment Of Illinois volun.
tesrs. He died over a year ago at 30
years Of age ..e
Mrs.. McNsmera 10 Silent.
Kansas City. Mo-, Jan. 10.--Mrs.
James v. Mcnamara. formerly Miss
Maybslle Smell. was married last No
vember. Her husband 10 chief dep
uty sheriff Of jackson county. and the
couple live in this city. Mrs. Nc
Namara and her mother, Mrs. Priscilla
Smell, declined to discuss the Smell
will case.
G. W. Wsbsters. Mrs. McNamara's
attorney, 10 out of the city. At the
time of his clients marriage here he
said:
I'VE can easily show that Miss Smell
has perfect right to all the proper
ty that Col. Smell left her and gave
to her. As far as her relationship to
Col. Smell is concerned, we can prove
that. too. without any difficulty. |
was in Bloomington last week. None
of her relatives that | found denies
that she was SHELLS grandniece
Annuity Of $1,000 Left to Her.
Miss Smell was left 81, 200 a year by
the Illinois millionaire. Beside this
her relative gave her securities and
decided lands within the last four or |
five years amounting to not less than |
$4,000.
Thornton Smell, a grandson Of the
colonel and the trustee Of the estate,
has instituted legal action to prevent
Miss Smell from disposing Of the prop.
erty decided to her previous to the
millionaire's death.
Was Sane, Says Witnesses.
Clinton. H., Jan. 11.-Evidence in.
troduced Friday in the suit to break
the will Of Col. Thomas Smell tended
TO show that the testator was mental
ly sound during the latter years of his
life and was perfectly capable of
managing his vast estate and also of
dlsposing of It. The testimony
showed that the aged millionaire was
irritable. and had great aversion to his
only son, Richard Smell, whom he dis.
inherited, and who Is seeking to break
the will.