Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-06

Dan-
of William c. Russell at Melrose few
days ago is sure to result in another
legal battle when his will is filed soon
for probate BY the terms of this will
the deceased left the bulk of the Rus
sell estate. estimated at from S20o,ooo
to S3O0. 900. to Fresno Dan" Russell,
who claims to be brother. The
name of Dakota Dan" Russell was
not mentioned. Dakota Dan has an
Inounced his intention of launching
legal fight to break this will and
have himself declared the real
brother. The papers are now being
drawn up.
The death of William c. Russell
and the threatened legal battle over
! his will bring again into public notice
one of the strangest stories that was
ever told in a Massachusetts court.
| In 1885 Daniel Blake Russell, son
of Daniel Russell, Sr, ran away from
home and went west. He had had
trouble with his father. and on leav-
! ing Melrose he dropped strangely
out of sight.
The years rolled by. The elder
Russell amassed more and more of a
fortune, and when early in 1907 he
passed away he left behind him
million dollars. He had not forgot
ten Danny, for in his will drawn in
1897 was found this message:
my son, Daniel Blake Russell,
left home some twelve years since
and if he should return and prove
his identity within 20 years after my
decease it is my earnest wish, request
and hope that my son William share
with Daniel equally and justly what
ever of my estate he may hold at the
time Daniel returns
William, il should be explained, was
the only child the elder Russell had
besides Dan.
William was named as executor and
Ferdinand B. Almy, a cousin, was to
act with him. The will was filed in
due course. Apparently William was
to get the entire estate. Then APP
peared on the scene Dakota DAN"
He blew in one day from Dickin-
son, n. D., and registered in Boston
hotel Later William Russell had an
interview with him.
He is not my brother Daniel" de-
clared William. Then the battle was
on.
Daniel Blake Russell brought suit !
through his counsel, State Senator |
L. A Simpson of North Dakota, for |
an accounting of the estate and for !
an admission of his identity. The |
suit started. he went over to Mel |
rose one day to see my brother" |
William Russell. 1t CHANGED that |
Miss Sarah B. Almy, a cousin of
Daniel Blake Russell, came to the /
door
You're not Danny" and she f.
slammed the door in his face. That |
was the only time he ever called at /
the old home.
Then came the suit in the probate
court of Middlesex county, which is
really Cambridge. 1t lasted 123
weary days.
81 am the son of Daniel Russell" I
swore Dakota DAN" as he likes to
dub himself, land / ran away from
home because | had quarrel with
him The date? June 5, 1885. / Il
never wanted to see him again.
What did | do? / tramped it Il
out west Bob Twist was my hobo
chum; he'll tell you; I'm no liar;
he'll prove it"
Twist was no longer tramping it.
He is we'll to do and he lives in north
ern New York. They brought him
on the stand.
That's the man / know as Daniel
Blake" he said solemnly. I'VE met
the day after he had slipped away
from home and he told me his real
name; but he asked me TO call him
David Blake
Dakota Dan" called other wit
nesses. They identified him as the
lost son OF Daniel Russell. deceased.
The Dakota" side rested its case
Dan was all confidence and ex-
pectation.
Then came procession of wit
nesses who swore that Dakota Dan"
was not the son of Daniel Russell,
Sr., and another procession who
Identified him as Jim Ruseau, for
merly of Massena, y. Y, and Bonn
bay, n. Y
The weeks sped on One morning
q shabby, swart, clean shaven man
with a western twang came into
court The case had been on for 10
days
Dakota" had not been prepared