Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 135, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 June 1915 — GIFFORD WILL CASE WAS COMPROMISED [ARTICLE]

GIFFORD WILL CASE WAS COMPROMISED

Defendants Pay Regina Burris Kupke $3,500 and She Will Later Get Bequest of $5,000. John A. Dunlap, E. B. Sellers and their associate attorneys for Regina Burris (now Kupke) met today, Tuesday, with George H. Gifford, executor of the will of the late Benjamin J. Gifford, and effected a compromise f the suit to break the will. The action was brought on the claim that Regina Burris was the illegitimate daughter of B. J. Gifford. He had recognized her in his last will by leaving her $5,000. When preparation was made to contest the will on her behalf Dr. A. R. Kresler was appointed her guardian and the suit was brought by John A. Dunlap, who secured the services of E. B. Seilers, of Monticello, to help contest the case. There were two or three delays in this county and the case was then sent to Newton county on change of venue. It was set for trial last week but the defendants took another change and the case was set to Fowler for trial. It would have come up next fall. The negotiations for the compromise were started and came to a conclusion today when it was agreed to pay the plaintiff $3,500. This will not affect her bequest of $5,000, which will be paid later when the estate is. settled. The defendants and the attorneys for the plaintiff realized that the setting aside of the last will which gave Regina Burris $5,000 would substitute the former will which did not leave her anything, but it was the last will that named George H. Gifford as executor, left him a bequest and also provided that he should have all the residuary of the estate after the other provisions were carried out. The settlement of the suit will make it possible now to go ahead with the sale of the land, which was halted by the suit.