The Dickinson press., 1917-05-19
MRS. MORAN
TO CONTEST
Will TERMS
DAUGHTER WILL MAKE FIGHT
TO SET ASIDE TESTAMENT
OFsFATHER.

OFsFATHER. #
Simpson and Casey Retained-J. c. R.
Case to Supreme Court Is Prob
ability-Fake: Heirs Appear.
!. Determined efforts to set aside the
last will and testament of James H.
Caldwell, filed for probate May 3, will
be made by Mrs. May Moran of Dick
inson, daughter of the wealthy ranch
er, slain, with his wife, at the ranch
home on April 80 by Mike Chumick.
Attorneys T. D. Casey and L. A.
Simpson Of this city have been re-
tanned as counsel by Mrs. Moran.
Notice Of power of attorney and ap-
pearance was filed before Judge Fred
Maser last Thursday. Hearing in pro-
I bate court has been set for Jun@ 18,
before Probate Judge Maser.
Casey & Burgeson will represent
u. c. r., man Of mystery, who claims
to be the missing Jay Allen Caldwell,
at the hearing. Il
By terms Of the will, as given in
the Press two weeks ago, Mrs. Moran
is bequeathed $26, and q provision on
proceeds of, the estate during the rs
years it remains in trust will be
used for her support, conditional upon
none, of the money being used by her
husband, James Moran. Final para
graph Of the. document provided that
#, Mrs. Moran seek in any way to set
aside the will, maintenance provis-
ion in her behalf would become null
and void.
Beuuests were made to two sisters
of the decedent, residing in Chicago,
and the homestead; $4,000 in 4 cash
and personal property to the wife,
who, however, according to statement
of the slayer, died before her husband. |.
Remainder Of the estate was placed
in trust of r. III. johnson and W.. E.
Burnett of this city and r. ri. Register
of Bismarck, to be held i'm trust for
25 years. unless Jay Caldwell should
sooner appear. In that event, re-
manning property would go to him,
with provision that he care for his
sister, Mrs. Moran, as he deem best.
Bitter Contest Certain. ~.
One of the most sensational will
contests in history Of the Northwest
will be fought through the courts as
result of Mrs. Moran's determination
not to abide by terms of the docu-
ment. Caldwell's possessions included
several thousand acres of land, a
large amount Of cash, hundreds of
head of livestock, and, valuable person
al property and each side will fight
to the court Of last resort in an ef-
fort to establish its claim. F'ar-reach-
ing developments Of the most sensa-
tionai nature will undoubtedly result.
An outgrowth of the murder will
nrohablv be a renewal of the famous
J, C. R.ecase, which will, it is assert
ed, be carried to the supreme court.
in an effort to establish the man, of
mystery as the heir to the estate.
p, A Committee meeting was held. last
Saturday evening in this city. by ), a
number Of persons interested IN the
matter, at which question Of raising
!. finds for another trial Of the case
was considered. Several. farmers re,
siding in the vicinity Of Taylor and
a number of Dickinson people were
present, and tentative plans were
made with a view to starting new
action. .,5 Fa% ~
will Start Probe? &
There are rumors in circulation of
a thorough search to be made at the
Caldwell ranch, in an effort to clear
some of the mystery attached to the
ranch homestead, set away in the hills,
! ten miles south and west of Taylor.
Charges and counter charges are be-
ing made, and, It is alleged, an in
vestigation may be instituted within a
short time
wells aTa naskinr themselves known,
folIow;ne The .never-failinp precedent
in missing heir cases. a number Of
iattars Ia have ,bee,n Received by local
,ney @ From ~ nnrsons = hinting sthey know
The the whereabouts of Jaw, Caldwell, and
also two from other, persons. it, is
said said iclaiminas Ia he Ythe, missing heir.
Value, Of thessestate is expected to