Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-02-20
RUNKLE ESTATE
BATTLE STARTED
BY HIS BROTHER
John W. Griggs Hints Docu-
ment Disposing of Millions
Is Not the Last.

The opening gun In the legal fight
over the $2,000,000 or more estate OF
the late William Runkle, who died at
his home, Centre street, Orange, on
January 81, was fired in Orphans
Court today before Judge William P.
Martin, when former Governor John
w. Griggs, as counsel for Harry G..
Runkle, of Plainfield, residuary leg
atee under the will, protested against
the appointment of William z. r.
Smith, of Orange, as administrator
pendente lite of the estate.
Instead of Mr.. Smith, Mr.. Griggs
suggested that the Fidelity Trust
Company be appointed, and after
several of the big array of counsel
present had spoken for and against
the appointment of Mr.. Smith, Judge
Martin took the question of appoint
ment of an administrator pendente
lite under advisement, and will an
nounce his decision later,
Length of Fight in Doubt.
That the fight over the estate will
be a long one was predicted by sew
eral lawyers in the case, although
former Governor Griggs gave his
opinion that the contest would be a
short one. "There is no question of
mental incapacity entering into the
contest said Mr.. Griggs. We sim
ply desire to know positively if the
will offered for probate is the last
will made by Mr.. Runkel."
The matter was brought into court
today on an application made by for
mer Attorney General Robert III. Nc
Carter for the appointment of Will
lam E. r. Smith as temporary ad-
ministrator Mr. McCarter repre-
sents Mr.. Smith in the matter. The
latater was on old-time friend of Mr..
Runkle's in his lifetime, and, accord
ing to Mr.. McCarter. was very ia
miliar with the business affairs of Mr..
Runkle.
Mr. smith is New York stock
broker living at 156 Harrison street,
Orange, and in the will offered for
probatae in the surogate's office ana
attacked by caveat filed on behalf OF
Harry G. Runkle- brother OF the
deceased, is named as executor,
The will of Mr.. Runkle offered for
probate is a long document, written
in his own handwriting and dated
March II, 1912. In the line in which
the executor is named there has been
an erasure. a name being scratched
out and that of William e. r. Smith
inserted
Mr.. RunLIe Assured MIR. smith.
Mr.. McCarter, in urging the APP
pointment of Mr.. Smith as adminis-
traitor pendente lite said there could
be no question but that Mr.. Runkle
had intended Mr.. Smith to act in that
capacity. About two weeks before
the death of Mr.. Runkle, Mr.. McCar-
ter said, he had spoken to Mr.. Smith
about his will and told Smith that as
soon as he heard that he was dead he
wanted him to go to his house and
take possession of his will and other
important papers.
This Mr.. Smith did on January 81
last, and at once deposited the will in
the surrogate's office for s tfe keeping,
while other papers that he took pos
z4ssiJn of he placed In safe deposit
box without examining them. This
was done. Mr.. McCarter said, on the
advice of himself, as counsel and
that Mr.. SMITH or no other person
knew as yet What the papers con-
tanned In the safe deposit box con-
sisted ef-