Evening star., 1925-08-09
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
MIAMI, Fla, August 8-Written
by himself shortly before he departed
for his last earthly battle-the Scopes
trial-the will of the late William
Jennings Bryan, filed here today in
Dade County Probate Court. provided
for the needs of his entire family and
in addition. perpetuated his fight in
the cause of religion by setting aside
funds for various churches and for an
academy for boys firmly committed
to orthodox Christianity" under the
supervision of some evangelical
church.
Full of characteristic Bryan phrases
and idealisms, the last testament Of
the Commoner placed those close TO
him first in the distribution of his
worldly possessions, but only a little
ahead of the principles which he
preached by voice and pen.
Mary Baird Bryan, his wife, 1t was
provided, should receive all household
furnishings and other personal belong
ings in addition to one-third of the en-
tire estate.
Children Come Next.
Next in his final legal document were
named his two daughters and SON,
Ruth Bryan Owen, Grace Bryan Har-
greaves and William Jennings Bryan,
jr.; who are to receive one-fourth each
of the remaining two-thirds Of the
estate. The other fourth of the re-
mainder is divided among more dis
tant relatives and the funds for the
entwining of the spiritual with the
intellectual"
Judge w. F. Blanton of Dare
County Probate Court named Mrs.
Bryan executrix.
The complete text follows:
In the name of God, farewell
Trusting for my salvation to the
blood of Jesus Christ, my Lord and
Redeemer, and relying on his promise
for my hope of resurrection, l con-
sign my body to the dust and COM
mend my spirit to the God who "ave
1t.
I, William Jennings Bryan, citizen
of Dade County, Fla, being of sound
mind and memory but conscious of the
uncertainty of life, and desiring to
make a just disposition of the worldly
goods which an indulgent Heavenly
Father has seen fit to bless me, do
make, publish and declare this my
last will and testament. hereby revok-
ing and anulling all former wills by
me made.
Provides for Monument.
First l desire that all my just
debts and funeral expenses shall be
fully paid and satisfied. including the
use of such sum as my wife and chill
dren may deem proper for the pur-
chase of a monument to mark my
grave.
Second. I give and bequeath to my
beloved wife, Mary Baird Bryan, my
congenial comrade and companion and
my faithful helpmate for more than
40 years. all my household goods,
| jewelry plate. library, automobile, ETC..
to use. distribute or sell, according to
her pleasure. 1 trust her TO make
such gifts to, or division among our
children, children-in-law, grandchil-
dren, relatives and friends as we
would make together If we joined in
the distribution.
Third l give and bequeath TO my
said wife a life estate in our home,
Marymont, in Cocoanut Grove, Fla,
and l hereby authorize and direct
the expenditure from my estate of
such sums of money as may be neces-
sary to pay taxes on said home and
keep it in repair. l hereby authorize
my said wife to occupy, rent or sell
said home, according to her pleasure.
II the house is rented. the taxes and
repairs shall be paid out of the rent.
When the home is sold, the proceeds
shall be turned into the general fund
of my estate.
Fourth / give and bequeath unto
! my said wife one-third of all the
property real personal and mixed,
which l possess at the time of my
death.
Guards Against Fight on VIII.
| Fifth. give and bequeath to my
| beloved children, Ruth Bryan owen,
w. ]. Bryan, jr., and Grace Bryan
! Hargreaves, one-fourth each of all the
proceeds of my estate remaining after
! the payment of the bequeSt 10 my
said wife and other bequests and ex-
penses, but said bequests are made
subject to the following provision,
viz: If any child resorts TO the courts
10 break the provision of this Will, the
| beouest to such child will be re-
| voked by said act, and said child s
portion will so into my estate to be
| divided among the other legatees.
| One-half of each child's portion shall
! be set apart for 1t as soon as distrf-
button can be made, the other half
shall be available for the children.
respectively, when my said wife dies.
/ The second half until my said wife's
death shall be kept in the hands Of
my executors and invested in bonds
| of the United States Government,
State governments, city governments
| and school districts. While such sums
shall be so held by my executors, the
income from such money shall be
used to supplement the income re-
ceived by said wife from her own
property if my said wife's income Is
not sufficient to furnish her every
comfort, she to be the sole Judge of
her needs. From the income on this
sum also shall be paid the taxes and
1: Continued on Page 8. Columrf s.