The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-04-18
MISS FLETCHER
WIN FOR TUNE
Captain Cussons's Will to Stand.
Estate Is Worth
$Ioo, 1000.

The contest to break the will Of tho
late Captain John Cussuns, OF Glen
Allen, by which Miss Sarah Eliza beth
FLETCHER was made sole lrgatec of a
fortune. and score of other relatives
diSinhcrited. came to All abrupt END
yesterday afternoon in the llcnrico
county Circuit Court when Attorney
Hi! Garter. counsel for the con-
tcstants. threw up the night and ac-
copied a compromise. Under the com
promise. which is IL virtrirfll surrender
of the struggle, ana AN admission of
'Ipt"in cusson's metal suundness, the
jury will BE- ordered BY Judge West
TINS morning TO return verdict es-
isblishing this document as the last
Will and tcstiincnt of the Iato John
Cussons. and the coste OF the lltiga-
,ior viii he shared equally by the
propounders and contestants
Mr. Carriers action came very un-
eNpcctedly. his proposition for a COM
promise being made immediately af-
Ter the court had adjourned for the
day. and the jury sent to the hotel
the failure Of several witnesses. pro-
ducsd by the contestants to present
nntnipeachable evidence soon showed
that the fight was practically lost
aud the compromise was offered by
Mi Carter in order to save his clients
AS much expense as SIS possible. II
the case had been allowed to run its
natural course. and the Jury had re-
turned verdict In favor OF Miss
Fletcher, the contestants would have
had TO bear the entire expense of the
htig alton
Army of M1tnesscs.
A small army of witnesses had been
marshalled by the contestants in the
effort to show mental unsoundness on
the part of the testator at the time
this will was drawn--April. 1907
and undue influence exerted on him
by Miss Fletcher The contestants
tack, Miss Fletcher only showing up
the better for the attack made upon
her. and Captain Cuescns' questioned
sanity receiving perfect vindication.
Miss Fletcher. CARRIED III deep mourn
ing. and carrying a small. bouquet Of
flowers presented to her BY her
brother, Thomas Fletcher. made an
affecting picture, and one that was
not without influence upon the Jury
court during the day. and she sat
quietly behind her attorneys. oc-
casionelly leaning forward to ask
question of them or to suggest some
line of examination.
Owing to a peculiar clause of Cap
tain Cussonss will. there has not been
and never Will be made any appraise-
nicnt OF his estate. The value OF IFS
personal and real property Is known
TO be considerable, however. 100000
being the general estimate OF his hold
ingE. The major portion OF his estate
is represented in the $1,000 acres of
land at Glen Allen. with a hotel and
numerous buildings. deer park and
fish ponds. The extent of his personal
property is matter of speculation.
Constant COMPANION.
When the will OF Captain Cussons
was read shortly after his Death, il
Was found that Miss Sarah ELIZA beth
Fletcher had been made sole heir and
cxecutrix TO the complete exclusion
of all other relatives. Either at the
request OF Captain Cussons or on her
own Initiative. Miss Fletcher came 10
Virginia from England about fifteen
years ago and took up her residence
under her unclc's roof at Glen Allen
After the death OF his wife and vari-
ous difficulties with other rel
atives had lef, the old SOL
der almost destitute of company,
Miss Fletcner took charge OF mis-
household and became his constant,
companion. The tight brough, BY the
disinhcrited relatives to break the
VIII was of particular interet on ac.
count OF the TACT that for Year be-
fore mis- death Captain Cussons was
entirely estranged from his tt4miIy
connections with the exception of Miss
Fletcher.
The will. which is the subject or
contest. was the only one found after
the testator's death, and is presumab.
ly the last he wrote. 1t was drawn in
Apri OF 1907 By Eugene c. Massie ana
witnessed by F. 7. sutton, Sr, and
w. Il. Massle Miss Sarah Elizabeth
Fletcher is the niece of Captain Gus.
sons late wife, who was MISS
Fletcher.
AS the case was TO be tried as an
issue out OF chanccry. IL required near
~ an hour TO impanei a Jury yester.
udY morning, and another three-ouar-
ters of an hour for the statements ~
the contestants. Hill Carter and G.
w. Saunders, representing the contest.
ants. alleged undue influence and nm.
sound mind at the time the will was
drawn in petitioning for the breaking
OF the Will. Judge George l. Christian
ana Samuel a. Anderson were counsel
Tor Miss Fletcher, while Judge Jesso
+, West occupied the bench in The nh.
sense OF Judge X. Carter Scott.
Distinguished Witnesses.