Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1921-02-24
Cahoon Files Petition for Durand Heirs

Cahoon Files Petition for Durand Heirs.
(Fredericktown Democrat.News.l
AS foretold in this paper two weeks
ago, Attorney B. B. Cahoon this week
fled in the probate court a petition
setting up claim Of certain alleged
French heirs to the Simon Durand
estate. The petition recites that two
heirs are from the paternal side and
are cousins in the sixth degree of the
deceased Simon Durand; six persons
are named as heirs on the maternal
side and these six are alleged to be
cousins in the fifth degree.
The petition states that these eight
petitioners offer to make proof OF
the ir relationship to Durand and ask
the court that they be permitted to
do so.
Mr.. Cahoon gives the names and
addresses of the French claimants In
his petition. Those on the paternal
side are Widow Claire Francoise
Rousseau and the widow Marie Des-
touches, both of whom live in theiPar-
ish of Grand Prossigny, Indre ct Lere,
Republic of France. According to
the petition these two would be en-
titled to half the estate, or one-fourth
each.
The maternal cousins are listed as
Henry Marsais of No. Rue de Pax,
Paris Department Of Seine; Marie
Joseph Verna OF No. 8 Rue de Estelle,
Tours Department of Indre & Loire;
Emilion Verna of Chambran, Depart
ment of Indre & Loire; August Verna
of No. 80 Rue Hallebardier, Touis,
Department of Indre & Loire; Mrs.
Louise Aimee Cornuau, formerly
Roissignol, widow Jean Baptist Cor
nuau of No. 33. Boulevard Des Carl
liois, Posay Department of Seine and
Disc; Charles Henri Rossignoi Of No.
IS Rue;de Nice, Paris, Department OF
Seine, all of the Republic of France.
These six are alleged to be entitled to
half the estate or one twelfth each.
1t is alleged that these ten are the
sole heirs of the late Simon Durand,
excepting debts and attorneys fees
incurred in the litigation of the es-
tate. Mr.. Cahoon's petition recites
that there remains now q balance OF
about $15, 700. #
Simon Durand died on his farm In
the southern part OF the county De-
cember 4th, 1917. He had lived alone
for many years the life OF o typical
miser. Before his death he gave to
John Chapman farm and in his will
made Chapman and Sam King ex-
ecutors. BY the terms of his will
i the sum OF $4,000 was left to the wife
| OF former partner in France. The
executors employed Chas. P. Damron
4 as their attorney and he located this
aged French lady and the $4,000 was
| paid her. The remainder Of the estate
remains in the hands Of the executors
despite efforts made by Mr.. Damror
to locate French relatives.
Dnrand came to America In hi
twenties, or perhaps sixty years ago
He was reticent as to his past ant
. that fact makes the tracing OF rela
tives extremely dificnlt Mr.. Dam
ron has been unable to learn at wha
: port he entered this country or Q
. what date, also whether or not h'
j was ever naturalized, and ifso, where
3 | ii these facts could be learned, th
i matter Of family history could b
j traced.
Mr.. Cahoon has in his possession
Il family tree purporting I'd be that 9
L Durand which he recently obtaine
!. from France and from which he base
a his claim.
j. The executors of the estate and MI
y Damron, as well as other attorney
d are not disposed to doubt that M
Cahoon has discovered the heirs
j, Durand. However, they point q
n that there il nothing vet offered |
+ way of evidence that the Duran
), mentioned ID the French records