The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-11-28
CORYDON MANS WILL
Which Bequeaths BIG Fortune to
the Town for Public Improve
mentS and a Town Park.


The article published in The Re-
porter last week, telling OF the good
fortune of the town of Corydon IN
being left the immense fortune OF
Allen Walden, created considerable
interest, as did the suggestion that
possibly some public spirited citizen
might present Leon with a city park
before their death, and all of our
citizens are hoping that some one
will step forward and donate Leon
city park. Owing to the interest
den, we print a verbatim copy OF his
remarkable will, which is as fol-
lows:
/, Allen Walden, being Of sound
mind and memory, do make, publish
and declare this to be my last will
hereby revoking all wills by me
heretofore made.
First-It is my will that, as soon
as practicable after my decease all
of my debts and funeral expenses be
paid.
Second-The greater part of the
property which ] have acquired has
been accumulated while I was in
business in, and have been resi-
dent and citizen of the Town OF
Corydon, Iowa, and which is the re-
suit of a long active business life
and the exercise of strict economy.
NV relations with the people OF
Corydon and Wayne county have
been pleasant, and it is my desire
that my property should be so dis
posed of as to do the most good to
the greatest number of it's people.
l have no family and my nearest
relatives are brother and sister.
Should my sister Outlive me, she
will need no financial assistance
from me, and shall make provision
for my brother who has already re-
ceived a large amount of assistance
from me and who, if he Outlives me
will need it in the future. Aside
from making provision for him. it
is not my desire that any of my
property should go to any OF my
other relatives for reasons which
are satisfactory to myself.
Subject to the above, | will and
dispose of my property as follows:
Third desire that my executor
set apart the sum of thirty-fve
thousand ($35,0OO) dollars and
with said sum purchase sufficient
real property in or near the town
of Corydon, Iowa for the purpose OF
providing for the people one or
more public park, or parks, the num-
ber and extent of said park or parks
to be determined by him. He may
also use any of said funds not used
for the purchase of said real prop
erty for parks, to improve the same
and within a reasonable time there
after to convey said property to the
town of Corydon, Iowa, on condition
that the same be used only for
public park or parks and that said
town keep said property in reason
ably good condition for said purpose
and that the said park or parks be-
forever free to the public and that
no part or portion of said property
be ever sold, leased or conveyed In
any way to any person for any prl-
yate use or purpose, my purpose and
intention being to provide public
park or parks for the use of the
general public without expense to
it or charge of any kind.
If the said town of Corydon is
unwilling to accept said property on
said conditions, then it may be dis
posed of as other property belonging
to my estate.
FOURTH desire that my execu-
tor set apart from the other funds
belonging to my estate, the sum of
thirty thousand t$3o,0OO) dollars
to be used by him for the purpose
of erecting and establishing home
for orphan and friendless children,
in or near the town of Corydon,
Iowa, provided that some other per-
son or persons contribute a like sum
for said purpose within three years
from and after the probation of this
will. Said home shall not be own
ed, managed or controlled by any
sect or society and shall be opened
to all orphan and friendless chill
dren who have residence in the
State of Iowa, but under such rea-
sonable rules and regulations as may
be made for it's management and
control.
When my executor is satisfied
that these conditions have been COM
piled with and that reasonable and
proper provisions have been made
for it's maintenance and perma-
nence in the future, he shall pay to
said home the said sum of thirty
thousand ($30,OO0) dollars from
nay estate.
If said gift is not accepted, or the
conditions imposed not complied
with, so that said sum may not be
used for the erection and establish
ment of said home, then authorize
and empower my executor to pay a
like sum to such other homes for
orphan and friendless children in
the State of Iowa as he may believe
to be deserving and best able and
most likely to use said money for
the support, education and mainte-
nance of orphan and friendless chill
dren. The amount which may be
paid to any one institution is left to
his discretion.
Fifth-For the purpose of aiding
and assisting the town OF Corydon,
Iowa. to procure an ADEQUATE and
suficient supply of water for it's in
habitants, / authorize my executor
to expend the sum of ten thousand
($1O,OOO) dollars, or SO much
thereof as may be necessary. ! pre-
fer to have this money expended un-