The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-02-13

The estate of the late Jeremiah Kane, better known locally as John W: Kelly. and still Better known un- litigation. The value 6f the estate is estimated at considerably more than $10, GOO. A fight over the admission of the will to probate was, begun be fore Judge HalIen Of the Probate court late yesterday, when Attorney James H. O'Rourke, representing a brother, Attorney O. Henry Kane of Boston, first sought a postponement of the hearing, and later, in cross examination, showed plaintly that an effort is to be made to show that Kelly was not in sound mind when he made the will, also that undue influ- ence was exerted upon him.
 Attorney George F. Mara, who drew the will and who is named as execu- tor without bonds, was represented at the hearing by former City Attorney Thomas M. Cullinan.
 Kelly died Dec. s1, after a protracted illness of a complication of ailments He was a veteran circus man, and travele6 over practically the whole of Europe and America with the Rarnum & Bailey and other circus organiza- ttonS. For number of years he had been in business in this city, conduct ing lattery a cafe at 40 Bank street. He roomed at 70 State street
 Kelly was an interesting character, rich in the lore of the circus, and when in the mood, entertaining in tte
 
 with the same provisions, 1t is said, as the second and last vii, but sign ed under the name of John w. Kelly. But later to correct possible legal de fleets, a new will was drawn under his own name, Jeremiah Kane. He himself said that he got the name of Kelly as the result of a fight with a fel' ow circus man. His oppo1ent went under the name of Red Kelly, and the Frog, as he was known, ad- ministered a punishment to Red" Kelly. and was thereafter known among his associates as Frog
 Kelly left two brothers. One is workingman of Fitchburg, Mass. Da- Roston, Attorney O. Henry Kane. The Boston lawyer was forgotten in the will. Friends of Kelly say the tes- tator expressed determination to cut ter had forgotten him when he was not rrosDerous.
 There were but two 1egatees under the will The Fitchburg brother is left everything except the business in Bank street, and this, including good will, stock and fixtures, Is left to James ConnorS. Connors had been in Kelly's emp'oy for II years Kelly, last fall transferred the license to Connors and when he drew his will he left the entire business to his bar tender.
 Witnesses examined yesterday were the three witnesses to the will, Frank O'Rourke, Marjorie Stirk, and Nellie Mccormack. Miss Stirk nursed Kelly at his home, and Miss McCorma ack fled they had known Kelly for some time, and that he was in apparently his usual sound mind when he signed the will. They said that Kelly had asked them to witness the will.
 Attorney O'Rourke asked for a con- tinuance of three weeks, but this was later by agreement reduced to 10 days No witnesses were called for the op- posit on to the admission of the will
 Kelly'S cash in bank amounted to about s6O00 and he had jewelry worth over $500 All this goes to the Fitch burg brother, under the will. The re- mainder of the estate was represent cd in the business which goes to Con- nOrs.