New Britain herald., 1915-05-17
CLAIMS INHERITANCE
 AS AN ADOPTED SON Newark Man Says He is One Of
 John w.. Forces Legal Heirs. IEsIATOR'S DAUGHTERS DENY II Claimant Appears ill Court of Pro- bate But Can Show Judge No Legal Proof of Adoption-sistcrs Willing to Compromise.
IESIATOR'S DAUGHTERS DENY II

e1 #t , z s Judge B. F. Gaffney of the court of probate was called upon at a hearing this afternoon to determine the heirs of law Of John W. Force, late of Arch street, who died intes-i tate on July 23, 1914. His task was made harder by the appearance of William H. Force of Newark, New Jersey, who claimed to have been adopted by the testator when he was about five years old. The estate Is valued at S12,272.20. The heirs who dispute the claim of the Newark man are Mabel Force Baldwin of 2S3 Chestnut street and Clara Force Will COX of 3S Woodland street.
 Force of Newark put in a claim as a legal heir some time ago and hearing was set for this morning. He was in state of unpreparedness, fiosseyer. and the hearing was contin- ued untif o'clock this afternoon in order 10 gise $ i'm an opportunity to secure lawyer.
 Objects to Talinge oath.
 After a few preliminary questons this morning Judge Gaffnex asaed Force to stand up and take Athe oa th.S
 What do you want me to swea. to?' asked Force.
 To what you are about tottestify. replied Judge Gaffney. I Force hesitated and said he didn't think he was ready to proceed With his case. He said he would like to secure a lawyer and agreed to get one by this afternoon
 Has No Legal Proof. # As far as Force was able to show this morning he has no legal docu- ments to show that he was adopted by John w Force. In reply to ques- tions by Judge Gaffney he said he could not remember when or where he was adopted. He believed it was when he was about five years old and he has gone under the name of Force since then. He is now forty seven years of age. sss
 Expected a Compromise.
 Force told the court that he be- lieved the case had already been set tied as he understood that Mrs. Will cox and Mrs. Baldwin were ready to Mrs. Baldwin replied that such was the situation but she and her sister were unwilling to com promise on the basis suggested by l their 1OSter-brOther.4 Judge Gaffney to say that it was not his function to arrange any com promise but simply to decide the heirs at law of John w. Force.
 Both Mrs. Wilcox and Mrs. Bald win stated that Force had lived in their family for years and that as far as they kew he was an adopted son but they had never seen any documentary evidence to this effect
 IIlheritance Tax at Stake.
 William c. Smith of New Haven is administrator of the estate and as far as he knows Force has no legal proof of his adoption.
 One of the points in connection with the case is whether any estate in heritance tax will be paid An in heritance of $5,000 or less is exempt l from taxation. If Force proves his claim the sum received by each of ] the heirs will be less than $5,0OO and 1 there will be no state tax If he fails the state will receive a tax as the l estate will be equally divided between i Mrs. Wilcox and Mrs. Baldwin.
 At o'clock this afternoon Force l appeared with Attorney B. w. Alling | and at his request the hearing was l adjourned until the afternoon of May l 28.