The Detroit times., 1910-03-09
DIVORCED WIFE Of
/ DR.. SUMMERS To
. SHARE IN ESTATE
Physician, Dying, Realized There
Was No Way To Prevent Payment
of $4,000 Insurance To Woman
Who Dragged Name in Mire.
Could Have Cashed in Policy Had
He Lived Few Months-Benefciary
May Divide With Mother.

| In spite of the fact that she deserted
him and eloped with another man
and Notwithstanding the granting or
| "A divorce 10 the wronged husband.
Mrs. Bernice Summers Brown is "a
sharer in the estate OF the late DR.
Frank ID. Summers. To the extent OF
| $1,000
| Mrs. Brown. as she is now known
is the beneficiary named in a life IA
surance policy for that amount. issued
| by the Equitable Life Assurance as
| sociation. on the life OF DR. Summers.
20 years ago. The terms OF this policy
were such that the doctor was unable
To change the beneficiary after secur-
the latter's consent. and quite natur-
! ally he was not disposed to consult
! his former wife on this subject So
! he decided 10 let the matter run un.
| Ill the policy should expire in Noycm.
! Der. OF the present year. when he
/ planned TO surrender it and receive
| the cash value.
! Or Summers death, in January.
/ interfered with this arrangement. and
the divorced wife will now receive the
full value OF the policy without qucs
/ ton, If indeed she has not ALREADY
done SO. The proofs OF death ana
other necessary papers incident TO the
collection OF the insurance have been
| forwarded 10 her in New Haven.
! Conn, where she now resides with
| her new husband, Charles IL Brown.
and their two children.
Had Or. Summers lived TO collect
the insurance, the $4,000 in question
would have become a part of his es
tate and Mrs. Caroline Cline. mother
OF the former Mrs Summers. with
whom the doctor continued to live.
would have had the benefit OF II. as.
under the Doctors will. she is given
the use OF his entire estate during
her life. However. the apparent wrong
( is not as serious as IL might be, for
/ II is understood that Mrs, Brown has
offered TO divide the insurance money
with her mother Thus the doctors
! plan will realize partial fulfillment.
The present Jaw, IN Michigan Ut
| least. provides FOR change OF benc-
! fciary under sucn circumstances. nut
/ Or. Summers could not take advan'
tage OF il. He decided on the plan
a'ready referred 20 as the best way
ont of the situation. little dreaming
| ,hen that he would not live TO see =
realized. so. when death approached.
he was fully aware that his former
wife. who had proven so fSithless,
would reap the benefits OF the insur.
anCe and was powerless 10 prevent ~.
Yet. in spite OF his wife's conduct
toward him. IL is doubtful If Dr. Sum.
mers ever entertained feeling OF ~
red towsrd ner That he cherished
her memory 10 his dying day was ap'
parent IN a much-used drawer OF hia
desk. I'm his oifce on Adelaide.st. nc
always kept her photo. and whenever
he opened tho drawer IL was the first
object that met his eyes Thus he
kept alive the memory OF his first
and perhaps his only love.
Or Summers will is on for hearing
IN the probate court. Wednesday. The
will provides that after the death OF
Mrs. Cline the estate should be- ci
, ided between Two OF his brothers.
Samuel Dev Summers and Herschel
Kepler Summers. in consideration OF
the fact that they nad assisted hiln
through Dollege Since the will was
made, Herschel Summers has died, and
his share will be divided among sur
wing brothers and several nieces
and nephews.