Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 February 1904 — Big Will Case Settled. [ARTICLE]

Big Will Case Settled.

The Spencer will case, fronj Monticello, which was set for trial Here this week, before Judge Rabb, of Williamsport, and expected to last two weeks, has been settled by the parties and was formally dismissed, Monday. Tn this case property amounting to SIOO,OOO or more was involved, ineluding 1,000 acres of good land near Monticello. Frank Spencer* now said to be a physician in New York Oity was the plaintiff, and his step-sisters. Mrs. May Carson and Mrs. Gertrude Meeker were the defendants. The suit was an attempt to break the will of the late Dr. William Spencer, a druggist and physician of Monticello, and a very .eccentric individual. . When ho died a fey, years ago, he left a will giving all his property, fn daughter, Mrs, Mary Carson, wife of F D. Oareon, of Monticello, except a merely nominal sum to his other daughter Mrs, Gertrude Meeker, wife of Curtis D. ; Meeker, also of Monticello, both men being wealthy and prominent. After his . death Mrs. Curaon divided the estate equally with her disinherited sister; and Frank Spencer brought this suit to set aside the will. It seems that quite a number of years ago, Dr. Spencer, being then a widower, married the widow of bis brother. Thomas Spencer, of lowa. Frank was. thus the Doctor’s nephew, and by this marriage became his step-son. Later he was legally adopted by the Doctor, as his son. Bat the doctor and his new wife did not get along harmoniously, and she sued for and was granted a divorce, that. case, also having been tried here. No opposition was made to her getting the divorce, and she is understood to have been given SIO,OOO in alimony. After this divorce, the old doctor seems to have lost interest in Frank, his combined nephew, step-son and adopted son, and he was not mentioned in the wilL Tha-settlement by which he now dismisses the suit has not been made public. The grounds on which the attempt to break the will was to be made, were alleged □□soundness of mind, and undue iufluenoe.