Mary White Makes a Mistake

New York, 1895

Mary White, colored, of Jamaica, was arraigned before Justice Hendrickson upon a charge of entering her mother's home and helping herself to property left by her grandmother. Mary said that her grandmother had willed her the property and she was entitled to it. It was proved that Mary's grandmother died without a will, and Mary was threatened with a term in jail. She agreed to return the property if the complaint could be withdrawn. This the mother consented to.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 10, 1895, p. 1.

Gifts Before Death

1895

THE PHILANTHROPIST SHOULD BE HIS OWN EXECUTOR.

The Beautiful Picture of Benevolent Peter Cooper Moving Among the People He Loved — Does the Man Who Dies Rich Die Disgraced?

Perhaps it may be too much to say with Andrew Carnegie that a man who dies rich dies disgraced, though we remember that that admirable philanthropist, Lewis Tappan, published a pamphlet to prove the same thing. Yet it is evident beyond question that that man is wisest and that man gets the most comfort out of life who during his lifetime sees that his money goes to the important objects for which he destines it, and who can behold with his own eyes the good done by it. A rich man narrows and belittles himself if he devotes his entire thought to the increase of his estate. He should devote thought to its wisest expenditure. Therein he acquires a largeness and breadth of soul which will be the chief comfort of his life. He will prove that he is a genuine philanthropist, not one who transfers his wealth to charity on his deathbed, as if he were then about to make his peace with God and the world, but that he has lived for his fellow men and not simply for himself.

The rich man whose only ambition is to be rich is not the friend of humanity and can hardly be anything else than its enemy. In any conflict against capital he can claim no sympathy, nothing more than the coldest justice. He has cast no anchor to the windward; he has sent forth no roots or tendrils which gathered about the hearts of the people. His mammon of unrighteousness has made him no warm friends; his belated benefactions may do good to the world, and they seem to be a sort of atonement for his shortcomings. They fail to prove that he possessed a soul that went out lovingly toward God or his fellow men.

Perhaps the most beautiful sight which this generation has seen was that of Peter Cooper building his own monument, not in the masonry of the Cooper Union, but in the hearts of its pupils and of the people of New York. Peter Cooper, the manufacturer of glue, would have been forgotten, but Peter Cooper, the patron of all aspiring youth, their friend and teacher, walking about with his benevolent face and his long white hair among the classes of young people for which his bounty made provision and reaping constantly the harvest of their admiration and love, was an exquisite witness not to the pride of wealth, but to the beauty of goodness. We are glad of a long list of wealthy men who have founded colleges and universities in their lifetime, honored for their large hearts, who give their hearts if not their names to their charities.

Of course it is a great deal better for a man to give money for benevolent purposes by will than not to give it at all. We would not say a word in disparagement of the usefulness of great gifts that have been made in that way. We know very well that there are men who have the faculty of making money, and who do not feel that they are competent to decide for themselves wisely how their wealth should be disposed of or how its expenditure for benevolent objects should be managed. But the time will come when they must give up their money, and some one's advice or decision must be followed. That advice they can obtain during life, and they can themselves make their gifts safely. It is as easy to do it now as it is to select executors or trustees to do it after death, except in so far as a man cannot bring himself to loosen the grasp by which he holds his wealth until death compels him to do so. We would have such people consider, however, the great danger there is that their wishes will not be carried out. The repeated cases in which wills have been declared void and the purposes of the testator have been annulled ought to make every one who has money to give consider whether he cannot, without in jury to his own interests and those of his family, give at least a part of it during his lifetime.

But whether he does it or not this at least is true — that every man who has acquired wealth from the public should consider it a privilege. if not a duty, to give back to the public some portion of what he has received. They say that in Boston it is not respectable to die without leaving a bequest to Harvard college. It ought not to be respectable for any man of wealth to die without a bequest to some college or benevolent society or hospital or museum or park or public institution. Of course one should provide for his household, and charity should begin at home. But that is not charity which ends at home. It is cold blooded, hard hearted selfishness. To give to the public in this way is something more than a duty. It is a privilege. It is a privilege to be connected in any way with the amelioration of the evil of the world, with the increase of truth and righteousness, with the development of Christian civilization in any land on the face of the earth, and the man who gives his possessions to such an object as this is therein a partner with our great Exemplar who went about doing good. — New York Independent.

The Surrogate's Court

New York, 1895

Wills Proved and Accountings Progressed — To-day's Calendar.

Surrogate Weller has rendered a decision refusing to admit to probate the will of Frederick W. Nolte, who died at Corona last spring leaving an estate valued at $15,000 to his widow. He had been married three times and was living with his third wife at the time of his death. He had children by his first and second wives, but none by the third.

The testimony in the case showed that two hours before his death his wife sent for a lawyer and witnesses and that a will was executed by which she was to receive everything. The children were cut off without a cent, although many witnesses testified that earlier on the day of his death Nolte had said he would not make a will, as his children were equally dear to him, and he wished them to share alike.

Surrogate Weller on Friday admitted to probate the wills of Theresa Rosner, Maria Rushmore, Willet Raynor, and Mathew Burke, A decree was entered in the administration case of Anna C. West.

To-day's calendar — Will cases of Jane Canning, Christina Haffner, George Bohlig and Ebenezer Kellum; accounting estates of Catharine Repper and James Sinclair; administration case Tunis Bergen; matter estate of John Mead.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, N.Y., Jan. 18, 1895, unknown page number.

Makes Odd Funeral Request

1916

Wealthy Man's Ashes Buried With His Two Wives.

WASHINGTON, Pennsylvania — James S. Stocking, 77 years old, former legislator, county clerk of courts, Civil War veteran and one of the wealthiest men of this city, was buried under the provisions of his will, which are extremely unusual. The portion of his will relating to his burial follows:

"I direct that my body shall be cremated, and no religious services shall be held on my body, ashes or grave. I direct that my ashes shall be divided in two parts and placed in two strong and air and water tight urns, one to be buried in my first wife's grave and the other in the grave of my second wife."

—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Sept. 16, 1916, p. 11.

Twins Puzzle Father; He Makes New Will

1912

Unable to Distinguish Sons Apart, He Finds He Had Put Error Into Document

Fort Worth, Tex. — John Cobb Harris, a wealthy Mansfield farmer, came to Fort Worth to make a new will because he was unable to tell his twin sons apart. The will he destroyed gave John Harris certain property and Cobb, the other twin, property just opposite to his own desires.

Harris's sons are 22 years of age, and among the most remarkable twins in the country. Both are six feet six inches tall and muscular. With their hats on their father cannot tell one from the other.

The twins keep a common bank account, and always speak of "our money," "our horse," and even "our girl," as they frequently play a joke on their sweethearts by exchanging them.

Elephants' Tongues

1895

"Only a few of the many people who have thrown peanuts into the elephants' mouths," said Head Keeper Manley of the zoological gardens to a Philadelphia Record man, "have noticed that the tongue is hung at both ends. A tongue hung in the middle is a human complaint, but elephants have a monopoly on those hung at both ends. The trunk suffices to put the food just where it ought to be, and the tongue simply keeps it moving from side to side over the grinders. When a peanut gets stuck on the elephant's tongue he raises it in the middle, like a moving caterpillar, and the shell cracks against the roof of the mouth, to then disappear down a capacious throat."


Didn't Want to Sneeze

A whimsical old Englishman who died over a century ago left a will in which he stated what he wished done at his funeral. His first request was that sixty of his friends be invited, accompanied by five of the best fiddlers to be found in the town. Second, he wished no tears to be shed, but, on the other hand, insisted that the sixty friends should be "merry for two hours," on penalty of being sent away. And, finally, that "no snuff be brought upon the premises, lest I have a fit of sneezing." — Harper's Young People.


A singed cat dreads the cold.

Woman Hater for 60 Years

1905

Now Daughter of Girl Who Jilted Him Gets His Fortune

Isaac Showers of Webster City, Iowa, religiously kept a vow for sixty years that no woman should cross his threshold or enjoy a cent of his wealth. Now that he is dead the carefully drawn will by which he hoped to perpetuate his vow has been broken, and the bulk of his estate goes to the daughter of the woman who jilted him and made him a hater of all womankind.

Showers came West years ago from New York to make his fortune, leaving behind him a girl who had promised to wait for him. When he became wealthy, as wealth was counted in those days, he journeyed back to claim his bride, only to find that she had married his brother. Without a word he returned to Iowa. When his father died, leaving a considerable estate, he refused to take any share of it because his brother was administrator.

In his own will he left his vast acreage of valuable lands to various schools, aid societies and churches. Mrs. Edward Price, daughter of the girl who jilted him, contested the will and has broken it, and will inherit something more than $250,000.

Will Leaves Working Girl $90,000 to Repay Debt of Kindness

1920

SAN FRANCISCO, Cal., Feb. 26. — Gentle, kindly ways — human sympathy and the power to radiate the joy of life — seldom bring their just returns on the money market.

But these precious qualities were recognized to the extent of $90,000 in the will of the late Lucien Guilbert, pioneer lumber man of Yreka, who died recently.

As a result, Miss Caroline O. Koester, chief clerk of the field division of the Federal General Land Office in this city, and her mother, Mrs. Katherine Koester of Alameda, are wealthy.

"The large legacy came as a great surprise to mother and myself," said Miss Koester, when seen at her Alameda home, following a decision of the Third District Court of Appeals, which awarded them the bulk of the Guilbert estate.

"We were kind to Mr. Guilbert's sister during her long illness at Yreka, and she always considered our home her home. We simply did what we considered our duty as friends, and had no idea that we were going to be so richly rewarded. Mr. Guilbert, of course, often spoke of our kindliness and real helpfulness to his sister, and seemed to appreciate it deeply."

"Shall I continue to work at the land office? Why, of course. I have always worked, and I don't see why this money should change my life in any way."

The Guilbert will was the subject of bitter contest, waged by the four children of Guilbert's half-brother, who were each left $500 bequests. They alleged that he was incapable of disposing of his property when the will was made. The half-brother, Louis B. Guilbert, of Manteca, was left $5,000.

Other bequests of the will included several $500 gifts to friends of Yreka, $250 to a church and $500 each to two other children of Mrs. Katherine Koester — Edward Koester, of McCloud, and Fred Koester, of the United States Army.

Chorus Girls Quit Stage for Factory

1920

Higher Pay in Shops Overcomes Lure of Footlights

NEW YORK, N.Y. — Theatrical managers and producers are becoming alarmed at the shortage of chorus girls — and to think that there used to be so many of them the producer had to hide himself to keep from being overwhelmed with applications! This is the word that New York is casting abroad.

In the good days gone, it said, the chorus girls received larger pay than they could get in the shops or factories or offices. Besides, there was the lure since the pay of women in business is so much more than it is upon the stage.

It is said that the shops of New York, and even the factories, pay much better wages than is possible with the theaters. As one observer puts it, "Better money can be obtained in the shops, in the canning factories, in the laundries, than upon the stage."


Shonts' Will Makes Wife Chief Heiress

NEW YORK, N.Y. — Mrs. Milla D. Shonts, widow of the former president of the Interborough Rapid Transit Company, who was cut off in her husband's will with a picture and a small bequest, has filed for probate another will made in 1905.

This will gives $5,000 each to Drake University and Monmouth College, Iowa; $100,000 to Mrs. Shonts and minor gifts to the relatives.

The remainder is to be shared equally by Mrs. Shonts and the two daughters.

Jazz Music Not a Nuisance

Feb. 1920

Los Angeles County Judge Refuses to Give Relief to Disturbed Nerves

Los Angeles, Cal. — Jazz music is not a nuisance, according to a decision by Judge Lewis R. Works, in the Los Angeles county superior court. The city of Pasadena had brought suit against a social club, whose neighbors complained its jazz music "jarred on their nerves."

"Once jazz music might have been construed as a nuisance," Judge Works said. "It is no longer so construed. If the music disturbed the residents of the neighborhood, I am sorry, but this court cannot give them relief."


Wealthy Pauper

In a cheap lodging house in William street, New York, an aged man died, leaving a will showing that he was wealthy enough to live in a brownstone mansion in Fifth avenue. He was Edward Campion, aged sixty-five. Why he chose the habitat of the "down-and-outer" may remain a mystery. The house is one of those where the unfortunate can get "bath and bed" for 15 or 25 cents.

In his will, Campion disposes of several valuable parcels of Manhattan property, as well as real estate in other sections, in addition to considerable cash, to two daughters and three sons.

Wife of Mexican Millionaire's Curious Hiding Place for Money

1915

Really Odd "Savings Bank"

With the coming of the pay envelope for women has developed the evolution of the broken-nosed teapot as a savings bank. Many and varied are the methods women have worked out to save money, although it is only within the last fifty years that the average woman has had to consider the problem individually. With their "going to business," however, questions of finance and investment have come to them.

Many amusing incidents of the broken-nosed teapot as a savings bank have come to light. There is a story of Pedro Alvaredo, the peon millionaire of Parral, Mexico, whose mines yielded silver so fast that he could not spend it, though he bought pianos and ponies by the carload, and all the metal work in the palace that stood where his old adobe hut had once been built was of silver.

Alvaredo had no faith in banks and kept great quantities of cash in his house. Naturally, much of this came into the hands of Senora Alvaredo. The senora had a special bed quilt which always covered her at night and was never far away in the day time. When the senora died her maid went to Alvaredo and asked for the quilt. But Alvaredo was superstitious and disliked to give away anything to which his wife had been so much attached. He offered the woman money instead and, though dollars were no longer flowing in at the rate of 30,000 a day, he was generous in the matter. But the girl insisted that she would have no memorial of her mistress but the quilt.

Finally Alvaredo's suspicions were thoroughly aroused and he ripped the quilt to pieces. It contained $30,000 in $1,000 pieces. Among them was a letter from the senora saying that she had saved the money for her two sons and directed that it be put in the bank to their credit. And now the young men are being educated in an American college upon the interest of their mother's savings. — From the Business Woman's Magazine.

Some Queer Wills — "I Bequeath Eternal Damnation"

Some Queer Wills

1889

Extraordinary Documents Copied from South Carolina Court Records

In overhauling some of the old books in the records of the probate court, Judge Gleason has, according to the Charleston News and Courier, come across some queer documents. Here are some of them:

A man, who has been dead so long that he shall be nameless, was hanged in Charleston for murder. He protested his innocence to the last, and the day before his execution made a will leaving his personal property, valued at $439 in money, and a silver watch and chain to his relative. The last clause of the will is as follows:

"As I am to be hung to-morrow for the murder of ——, of which crime I am innocent, and firmly believing that I was found guilty by a packed jury, I bequeath to this jury eternal damnation, and in order that their names may be known to posterity I herein insert their names,——, foreman, and eleven others. I order and direct that my executor hereinafter named shall deliver my body to the medical students of Charleston, S. C., and they are requested to have my bones properly cleaned, my skeleton properly mounted, so that it will pass down as a proof of the bribery and corruption used in the conviction of an innocent man."

Another man, long since deceased, and who was evidently a wealthy Frenchman, after disposing of his estate, provides for an erring daughter as follows:

"It is to me a great cause of mortification and regret to mention the name of Clotilde, my daughter, now twenty-three years old. To protect this instrument I bequeath to her one barleycorn. I pray she will repent and prepare for the Lord's forgiveness."

Another man, who was a widower, and had an only daughter who seems to have been the cause of much trouble to her father, disposes of his estate and gives to his daughter "My blood horse, Jim, feeling satisfied that if she will either ride or drive him it is likely she will be brought home a corpse, in which satisfactory event then let the horse be sold and the proceeds given to the poor."

Tolstoy Made His Will In Thick, Dense Forest

1914

How Tolstoy Made His Will.

How Tolstoy made his will is told in the annual of the Tolstoy society by Alexej Sergejeno, who was one of the witnesses. On July 22, 1910, he was summoned by a lawyer, who said that Tolstoy wanted to make his will without an hour's delay. They rode away at once to the meeting place, a mile from Tolstoy's home. He met them and led the way into a dense forest.

"In the thickest part of all," the narrative continues, "we stopped at a big stump of a tree. Tolstoy sat down on the stump, took a fountain pen from his pocket and asked for a sheet of paper. With feet crossed he began to make the rough sketch of his will." It was completed, signed and witnessed then and there, and then "he rose, and going to his horse said to me. 'How ghastly all this legal business is!' With an activity remarkable in a man of eighty-two, be swung himself into the saddle and vanished quickly in the dark greenery of the undergrowth."

Hiram C. Warden, Licking County, Ohio, 1819-1901

Newark, Ohio, 1899-1901

UNIQUE BANQUET

One Hundred Oldest Men in County

Assist Mr. Hiram C. Warden to Celebrate the Eightieth Anniversary of His Birth.

Saturday, May 27, was the eightieth anniversary of the birth of Mr. Hiram Warden one of Licking county's oldest, best known and most highly respected citizens, and father of Captain F. G. Warden, proprietor of the Hotel Warden. The Captain decided that the event was one which called for more than passing notice, and determined that it should be celebrated in a proper manner. In accordance with this decision over one hundred of the old time residents of the county, whose ages averaged 65 years, were invited, and there were no regrets. Elaborate preparations were made for the event, Mr. Warden being made to believe that all the extra hustling was on account of a banquet that was being prepared for the local lodge of Elks. It was a gathering of old and representative men of the county, such as seldom comes together, and to say that Maj. Warden was surprised when he was greeted by these long time friends, would be putting it mildly. A sumptuous supper was partaken of by the guests, which was followed by a program of speech-making. The toastmaster was Hon. J. W. Owens, and toasts were responded to by Dr. Vail, Charles Montgomery, Abraham Flory, Capt. W. C. Lyon, J. H. Newton, Howard W. Howe, Hon. C. B. Giffin and Hon. Wm. Bell, Jr. Mr. Daniel Thomas offered a pleasant diversion to the program by suggesting that Queen Victoria had been honored by the poet laureate of England by a poem for her eightieth birthday, and as the age of Mr. Warden differed by three days from that of the Queen, he too, should have a similar honor. He read a poem which he had written and which was as follows:

Is it true, or are you joking?
Is it four-score years today
That you were born near Granvilletown
On the twenty-seventh of May?
Is it true that you have traveled
Full eighty years of life,
And look so hale and hearty,
Without any marks of strife?
Your steps so firm and elastic,
Your eyes so bright, and so keen
Your hearing; so quick and active
As a youth about eighteen.
Your mind also clear and active,
With vim and vigor and might
You're able to transact all business
As "sharp" as ever tonight.
May the God of Grace and Mercy
Preserve my friend Warden and wife
For many years, until ready
To enter eternal life.

—Newark Daily Advocate, Newark, OH, May 29, 1899, page 5.

Note: It looks like the headline has his middle initial as "G," and it should be "C," which change I made.


SICK LIST (1900-1901)

Mr. Hiram Warden, who has been confined to his room in the Warden [hotel] for some time past on account of a dislocated hip, is rapidly improving and will be able to be out in a few days.

—Newark Daily Advocate, Sept. 25, 1900, page 3.


Hand Badly Hurt.

Mr. Moses Goodrich, of Granville, who is attending the session of the grand jury, met with a painful accident at the Hotel Warden Monday.

He had called at the hotel to see his friend, Mr. Hiram Warden, and in getting into the elevator had his hand caught and badly lacerated.

Dr. D. M. Smith dressed the injured member, several stitches being necessary.

—Newark Daily Advocate, Sept. 25, 1900, page 1.



Mr. Hiram Warden is lying seriously ill at the Hotel Warden. Mr. Warden was somewhat improved in the past few days, but last night there was a change for the worse.

—Newark Daily Advocate, Jan 5, 1901, page 7.



Mr. Hiram Warden passed a very bad night Monday, and is in no wise improved today.

—Newark Daily Advocate, Jan. 8, 1901, page 8.



The condition of Hiram Warden remains unchanged today.

—Newark Daily Advocate, Jan. 15, 1901, page 8.



The condition, of Mr. Hiram Warden is about the same. If anything he is worse today.

—Newark Daily Advocate, Jan. 24, 1901, page 8.



HIRAM CARY WARDEN

Venerable Father of Capt. Frank G. Warden and One of the Country's Best Known and Wealthiest Citizens Passes to His Eternal Rest — Sketch of His Life.

Mr. Hiram C. Warden, one of Newark's oldest, most highly respected and wealthiest citizens passed peacefully away at his apartments in the Hotel Warden at 11:15 o'clock Tuesday night, after an illness of acute bronchitis following an attack of grip.

Although this was the proximate cause of death, a fall sustained on August 14 last, when Mr. Warden suffered a broken hip, and his age had much to do with his demise.

Mr. Warden on several occasions since the fall has been down stairs, but his recovery never seemed to be complete.

Since the first day of January he has been bedfast and for twenty-nine days made a heroic battle against death, but was forced finally to surrender to the last of foes.

The funeral will take place from the hotel Friday afternoon at two o'clock, Rev F. B. Nash of Trinity Episcopal church, and Rev Bunyon Spencer of the Alexandria Baptist church conducting the services. Interment in Cedar Hill cemetery.

Hiram C. Warden's grandfather, Jonas Warden, enlisted in the defense of the Colonies during the War for Independence, and held the rank of Captain until the close of the Revolution. A son of the latter, and father of our subject, Gabriel, was one of those who responded to his country's call at the time of the second war with England in which he served as Captain with gallantry and courage. He was a native of Burlington, Vt., born Feb. 16, 1777, and in the place of his birth was united in marriage with Miss Mary P. Seeley, a native of Massachusetts. After the birth of three children they removed, in 1814, from Burlington, Vt., to Licking county, Ohio, settling on a farm in Granville township, one mile north of the village of that name. There they remained until called from earth, the father dying February 2, 1838, and the mother February 5, 1862.

On this farm Hiram C. was born on the 27th of May, 1819. His age was therefore 81 years, 8 months and 2 days.

In the parental family there were thirteen children, one of whom died in infancy, and twelve attained to years of maturity and became heads of families. Hiram C. grew to manhood on the old homestead, reared to farm life. His preliminary education was acquired in the old subscription school, and supplemented by two years attendance at Granville College. After the death of his father he served an apprenticeship at the chairmaker's trade in Granville, being thus employed for two years. Later he worked as journeyman at this business.

Believing that agriculture offered better opportunities than his trade, Mr. Warden began farming in 1846, and the first year operated a rented place. In 1847 he purchased seventy-five acres lying in Harrison township, Licking county, and during the ensuing two years cleared about ten acres of this tract. During the winter season he taught singing school in order to gain the means of subsistence for himself and family, and assist in making improvements on the land. At the expiration of the two years he sold the farm, having cleared $1,000 in this speculation. For a few years following he bought and sold a number of farms, frequently changing his location and with each change materially improving his financial condition.

Until 1873 Mr. Warden continued actively engaged in farming and during his residence in Newark has been more or less engaged in agricultural pursuits. In his farming pursuits he was successful through untiring industry and good management, coupled with the assistance of his wife in the accumulation of a handsome competency. In 1881 he bought the hotel in Newark which bears his name. This he greatly enlarged and at the present time it has more than one hundred rooms.

On November 20, 1842, at the Baptist church in Granville he was united in marriage to Miss Mary A., daughter of John and Mary Hartman Lond, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, where their daughter was born January 19, 1826. She is of German descent and came to Granville with her parents when only five years of age.

To Mr. and Mrs. Warden have been born four children, of whom are living Charles C., of Granville township, and Frank G., proprietor of the Hotel Warden, this city. Mr. and Mrs. Warden have travelled life's journey together nearly sixty years. Both became members of the Baptist church before they were married and have ever been true to the faith.

In early life Mr. Warden was a Whig, his first presidential vote being cast for Gen. W. H. Harrison in 1840. Since the organization of the Republican party he has supported that organization.

—Newark Daily Advocate, Newark, Ohio, January 30, 1901, page 8.

Note: The article says he began farming in 1836, which has to be wrong going by other details in the article. And Charles' name was spelled "Chales." I changed these. As for Charles' middle initial: this article says "C" and the last will says "H." I just left each as found. My guess, "H," probably standing for Hiram. And wills are usually more exact.



MR. WARDEN'S FUNERAL.

The funeral of the late Hiram C. Warden took place from the hotel at 2 o'clock this afternoon.

The Episcopal burial service was read by Rev. F. B. Nash. Rev. Bunyon Spencer of Alexandria, delivered a eulogy, in which the virtues of the deceased, his strict attention to business at hand, and his sterling integrity were pointed out as an example for the younger generation.

—Newark Daily Advocate, Feb. 1, 1901, page 8.


THE COURTS.

THE PROVISIONS OF HIRAM WARDEN'S WILL.

Following are the bequests made by the late Hiram C. Warden, in his last will and testament:

My will is that all my just debts and funeral expenses shall be paid out of my estate as soon as after my decease as shall be found convenient.

I give and bequeath the farm on which I resided and have been living at different times, to Charles H. Warden, during his natural life, and at his death to his children, equally.

I give and bequeath to my wife, Mary A. Warden, during her natural life, the store room on the South Side of the Square in Newark, and at her death I give, devise and bequeath said realty to my son Charles H. Warden, during his natural life and at his death, to his children, equally.

I give, devise and bequeath to my beloved wife, Mary A. Warden, the property on the North Side of the Square to her and her heirs forever, absolutely.

I give, devise and bequeath to my beloved wife, Mary A. Warden, during her natural life, all the balance of my property, both real and personal, of which I may die seized.

I give, devise and bequeath to my beloved wife, Mary A. Warden, all the income from my property and estate absolutely to use and do with as she may think best, reposing full confidence in her excellent judgment.

We have labored together industriously for fifty-eight years to accumulate and gather together this estate, and now that we are near to the end of this life it is our wish and prayer that our children, their good wives and children, may have and cultivate habits of industry, honesty, fidelity and love towards one another and inculcate as far as may be, Christian faith and charity.

I do hereby nominate and appoint my beloved wife, Mary A. Warden, executrix of this my last will and testament. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand to this, my last will and testament, this 28th day of July. A. D. 1900.

H. C. WARDEN.

—Newark Daily Advocate, March 8, 1901, page 5.


QUARTER CENTURY AGO

(From Advocate, Oct. 18, 1886.)
Mr. Hiram Warden, who left for California this morning, met with a misfortune before he left. Someone stole his overcoat from the hack in which he had been driven to the station.

—Newark Advocate, Oct. 18, 1911, page 6.

Animal Lover's Will is Cause of Trouble

1912

ANIMAL LOVER'S WILL IS CAUSE OF ROW

(Special to THE TRIBUNE by International News Service.)

PARIS, July 6.—When Mlle. Grandjean died three years ago at the age of 75, she left the bulk of her fortune, which amounted to $180,000, to the Paris Poor-Law Board, but she had not heart for her fellow creatures only. She was very fond of animals, too, and to her house near the Beaujon Hospital was attached a big yard, in which she kept about 150 birds of different kinds as well as half a dozen rabbits and seven horses.

The good old lady could not bear the idea that any of these animals should suffer by her death, so, to insure their being well cared for she committed them to the charge of the man who had been tending them, providing him with a liberal allowance to stimulate his zeal.

Thus she directed that, besides the enjoyment of an annuity of $500 he should receive $240 for the keep of the birds, $10 a month for that of each of the seven horses, and $2 a month for his attention to the comfort of a parrot which was a great pet.

Everything went on smoothly until lately, when the man who had been thus favored took legal action against the gentleman to whom the general use of all these animals has been bequeathed by Mile. Grandjean. He asks that this gentleman may be deprived of this enjoyment on the plea that he prevents him from doing his work as it ought be done. What the general use of the animals may consist of does not appear.

—Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California, July 7, 1912, page 2.