Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 February 1899 — Even Death Didn’t Free Him. [ARTICLE]

Even Death Didn’t Free Him.

It has been said that nothing is sure but death and taxes, but taxes follow after death sometimes, especially when the decedent has concealed property that should have been listed for taxation during life. The supreme court so decided last Friday. The final settlement of a man’s estate after death even does not free it from the claim of the state for back taxes. The court decided that the settlement can be set aside and the unpaid taxes recovered if fraud can be proved. The decision was made in the case of Mary A. Graham against Robert Russel, auditor of Daviess county. Richard C. Graham of Washington died. His wife after his death, acting as executrix, did not file an inventory of his personal estate. He had held about $25,000 worth of bonds, notes and other property which he had failed to list for taxation and he had not paid taxes on the property for fourteen years previous to death. The estate was settled one year after the demise and not a penny of taxes was paid on the property that had been concealed. County Auditoi Russel one year after the settlement began action to reopen the case that $3,000 accrued taxes might be collected. The circuit court decided in the auditor’s favor and the Supreme court affirmed.