Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 66, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 March 1915 — GIFFORD WILL CASE AGAIN POSTPONED [ARTICLE]

GIFFORD WILL CASE AGAIN POSTPONED

Death of One of* the Devisees Makes Publication of* Non-Resident. Notice Necessary. The Gifford will case, which was to have been tried in Kentland at this term of the Newton circuit court, came to a sudden interruption Wednesday when the defense showed to the court that one of the devisees under the will, who would be one of the defendants, had died and that in order to reach the legal heirs of the devisee a non-resident notice would have to be published before the case could be tried. This would necessitate a delay of at least sixty days if the publication is made promptly. It has been suggested by some who are active in the interests of the defense that the case may never be tried. They say that the setting aside of the will of Benjamin J. Gifford would leave their client, Regina Burris Kupke, altogether without behest and that they are willing to do this. George H. Gifford, the executor, in an interview with a reporter for The Republican, stated that the hope of those who represented Regina Burris was to force the estate into making a compromise, giving the girl and her attorneys a large sum, but that he did not propose to compromise and was prepared to fight the case at every turn. He said that this suit was all that was now holding up the settlement of the estate and that with it out of the road he would be able to close up the estate within six months.

The numerous beneficiaries under the will have not received their behests and it is not probable that the land could be sold so that the sums provided could be paid in cash, but Executor Gifford is of the opinion that equitable division of the land could be made among the many beneficiaries. The behests amounted to about $300,000 and indications are that the full amount of the legacies would be realized, but Mr. Gifford is of the opinion that there would be only a small residue. The will provided that all residue go to him as executor. The administration costs will be considerable.