Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 308, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 December 1913 — SUIT INVOLVES ALL OF GIFFORD ESTATE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

SUIT INVOLVES ALL OF GIFFORD ESTATE

Regina Burres, Through Her Next Friend, Dr. A. R. Kresler, Starts Important Suit. '

The suit just filed by Attorney John A. Dunlap, for Miss Regina Burres, against .the executor of - the last will of Benjamin J. -Gifford, and all the beneficiaries named in the will, will doubtless De the most sensational suit ever tried in this county. ’ Several months ago Dr. Arthur R. Kresler, of this city, was appointed the guardian of Miss Burres, who is only about 16 years of age. As her next friend he has brought the action for her and it has been entered into after mature deliberation and with the firm belief on the

part of Dr. Kresler arid Attorney Dunlap that Miss Burres is An fact the daughter of Mr. Gifford and therefore the only Child and entitled to a large share of the estate which the plaintiff’s complanit estimates worth $600,000. The last will and testament of the deceased left her a legacy of $5,000. It is proposed to attack the validity of this will on the following grounds: First. That said Benjamin J. Gifford was of unsound mind at the time said pretended will was executed. Second. That the alleged execution of said will was procured a by undue influence. Third. That said will was unduly executed. The complaint names as defendants George H. Gifford, executor of the last will-and testament of Benjamin J. Gifford, deceased; George H. Gifford, Margaret Bullock, Ella Bullock, Lou Sackett Enright, Eliza Griswold, Henrietta Wiggins, Elmira Goodykoontz, L. D, Gifford, George Gifford, Freeman Gifford, Roy Geringer, May Gifford, Cornelia Willis, Harry Gifford, Charles Kersey, Ida Kersey, Marietta Chambers, Jennie M. Hutchinson, Frank E. Lewis, Harriett E. Jones, Eugenia Duke, Carl J. Griswold, Anna Martindale, Annie Schooley, Lottie Marrs, Gifford Marrs, Robert Irwin, Grace Reed, Blanche Townsleyv Katherine Schlademan, George •Reed, Edith Bohrer, Thomas Callahan, Matie Kersey, The Chicago and Wabash Valley Railway Co., Mrs. Fannie Penfield, Fred Penfield, Mrs. Mary Bond, Mrs. Kate Babcock, . John Penfield and Grace Goodykoontz. The complaint sets out that. Benjamin J. Gifford died on March 30th, 1913, leaving Regina Burres as his daughter and sole and only heir afc law and the defendants as friends and distant relatives; that at the time of the death of the said probate and was then and there

Benjamin J. Gifford he was the owner and possessed of a large amount of real estate and personal property of the value of $600,000, which the said Regina Burres would inherit as such -child and heir at law.

The plaintiff further avers that on the 4th day of April, 1913, a certain written document, purporting to be the last will and testament of the said Benjamin J. Gifford was presented to the clerk of the Jasper circuit court as the last will of the said Benjamin J. Gifford, and that on said day was admitted to

probated as the last will and testament of said Benjamin J.. Gifford and that thereupon the said defendant, George H. Gifford, was appointed executor of the said pretended will and gave bond on the

4th day of April, 1913, and was duly quaflrfied and has ever since been and still is acting as such executor. Attorney Emery B. Sellers, of Monticello, is associated with Attorney John A. Dunlap, of Rensselaer, in the interest of the plaintiff and there is every indication that the litigation that wiß ensue will be hard fought on both sides. The Republican herewith presents the pictures of both Mr. Gifford and Miss Burres. The clerk is directed to issue summons to the sheriff returnable on the 19th day of February.

Miss Regina Burres.

The Late Benjamin J. Gifford.