The log cabin Democrat., 1914-12-29
GRAND MASTER TO RfN0UNCf S2OO,OOO IS CONVINCED OF FRAUD c. w. HIGHFILL SAYS I. o. o. F.
 HAS NO RIGHTS IN A. w.
 SHIREY ESTATE.
Arkansas Gazette, Dec. 29.

Arkansas Gazette, Dec. 29.
 Convinced that the Arkansas Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows has no moral or legal right to the $2OO,OOO which it secured from the estate of the late A. w. Shirey of Walnut Ridge, Grand Mas ter c. w. Highfll of Paragould pro- poses that the money shall be turned over to MT. ShiTsy's heirs.
 Yesterday he advised the Shirey heirs to file suit against the Grand Lodge, because he believes the money was obtained through fraud.
 MT. Shirey, wealthy resident of Walnut Ridge, was murdered about three years ago.
 In Mir. Shirey's will the entire es- tate of about $400,OOO was left to the l. O. O. F. lodge of Arkansas. The heirs brought suit to break the will soon after. Before the matter come to trial it was compromised with the result that the lodge received 40 per cent, the heirs 40 per cent and the widow 20 per cent of the estate. Since he was inaugurated last month, Grand Master Highfill has been Investigating the matter and his action yesterday in instructing the heirs to bring suit resulted from his investigations. He was in Little Rock yesterday and in an interview at the Hotel Marion last night outlined his reasons for his ac- tion.
 "1 believe the brothers of the lodge who reached the settlement with the heirs of the estate did so with the be- lief that they were in the right" said MT. Highfill. My knowledge of the matter led me to investigate it since my inauguration as grand master, and l have come to the conclusion that the property was obtained virtually by fraud. MT. Shirey's will proves that he was incompetent at the time he drew it up.'
 The part of the estate now in the hands of the lodge has been advertised for sale by the trustees of the grand lodge, l. o. o. F. of Arkansas, the date to be December 30, and the pro- ceeds to go toward an industrial home, according to one of the provisions of the Shirey will. The tract advertised consists of approximately 5000 acres of farm and timber land near Walnut Ridge, in Lawrence county. It is prob able the first act of the heirs will be to ask restraining order to prohibit the sale of the land.
 Another matter which MT. Highfill has declared his intentions of chang ing is the manner of maintaining the Odd Fellows Home for orphans and widows at Batesville
 'y visited the home last week." he said last night, land I found it in a deplorable condition in many ways. am preparing a statement to send out to members at large in which l shall advise that in every case where it is possible the inmates be removed until the conditions can be remedied. My lO all WIiO nave IcldtlNCS IAcIC is to take them out if possible until the conditions right themselves so the inmates can be properly cared for The home as it is now is a disgrace to civilization and to Odd Fellowship. I shall immediately appeal to members of the order to make special contribu- tions in order that things may be put in better condition there.
 q found the conditions unsanitary, and the children improperly clothed The food is insufficient and the condi- tions throughout the home are in an indescribable condition. There are no decent mattresses on the beds and the only good pillows are some donated to the institution by the Sister Re- bekahs of the state. I learned also that a number of children had been from the institution with out having placed to their credit the money which the institution had the use of during the time they were there, free of interest"