New-York tribune., 1920-11-20
Contesting Nephew May
Get $2,O0O,OOO; Both
Sides Express Satisfac-
tion at the Outcome
Comes
As Court Surprise
New York Beneficiary,
Former Employee, Gets
Greater Part of Estate
Special Dispotch to The Tr.,,,,.


BOSTON, Nov. 19.-Scttlement of the
contest of the will of Edward F. Searles
the Methuen millionaire, which had
been brought by his nephew, Albert
Victor Searles, was announced unexpect-
edly tonight by the attorneys for the
contestants. This removes the case
from the trial list of the Essex Superior
Court, where the issues were to have
heen heard by a jury.
Counsel for both sides refused to dis
close the asl cement terms.
Sherman L. Whipple, chief counsel
for the nephew, late to-day gave on.
this statements:
The Searles will case has been set
tied by the parties. The terms, being
private as between Nh. Walker ano
Albert Victor Searles, will not be an
nounced."
A similar statement was Issued from,
the office of Choate, Hall e. Stewart
who are attorneys of record for the
estate.
An unverified report is that tn,
nephew accepted $2,0OO,0O0 to end tn,
contest.
Many Millions Involved
~ The will involved from s25 600 Ooc
to S40,000,000. The bulk of the estate
according to the terms, goes to Arthu,
1. Walker. New York agent for the
deceased. The nephew contestant Wa.
to receive s25O,00o.
BY the agreement reached by counse
for the two sides, the issues frame,
by Judge Alden P. White, of the Esse.
County Probate Court, will be dis
charged and the case will again conc
before Judge White on the question
OF allowing the will without objection
By the settlement the special admin.
lstrators appointed to handle the estate
will be discharged and the executors
will assume charge OF the property.
Soon after the Geatn of the so-called
recluse Albert Searles. the nephew, an
nounced his intention of contestint
the will, and a hearing was held in
the Essex County Probate Court.
After lengthy argument, Judge
White framed three issues for the
jury; whether the will was executed
according to law; whether the million.
aire was of sound mind at the time it
was signed, and whether fraud or un-
due influence was used by Arthur I
Walker, Louis Dclafield, a New York
attorney; DR.. Joseph E. Mccarthy, t
New York physician, who attended Mr.
Searles during his last illness, or by
Mrs. Mary A. Rowland, of Philadel lphia
a cousin, who with her three children
received bequests of almost $4,OO0,O0O
After an inventory of the prope rty
by the executors, the estate will be
divided in accordance with the terms OF
the will, with the exception OF the pro
vision arranged for the nephew in the
settlement just reached.
Both Sides Are Pleased
Attorneys for both sides claimed to
be highly pleased with the arrangement
disposing of the nephew's suit.
Arthur I. Walker and Louis Della
field arc named as executors under the
will. They will proceed after the dis
charge of the admin istrators, Angus
tus P. Loring and Roger Ernst, ap-
pointed to serve pending proceedings
During the hearings in the Probate
Court the cccentrcities of Scarles were
frequently referred to by counsel AMI
it was brought out that he had de-
veloped great fondness for Greek
youth, Angelo Milton Ellison, who was
named as beneficiary to receive
$4,000
Mr.. Whipple alleged that Searles
had intended to adopt the youth. until
dissuaded. Counsel also contended that
by the undue influence of those who
drew the will the bulk of the estate
would be divided between MIR. Walker
and the Greek boy.
Mr.. Choate said the relations be-
tween Searles and the Greek youth
were as "father and son" and that
Searles was intent upon giving the lad
an education and providing for him in
his later life. He contended that the
nephew had shown no apparent inter
est in the affairs of his uncle.