Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 114, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 September 1904 — THE CIRCUIT COURT. [ARTICLE]

THE CIRCUIT COURT.

A case of more than ordinary interest was tried this week, before Judge Hanley and a jury. It was that of Marion O. Gant, administrator, vs Mrs. Olive Spriggs. Most of ours readers will remembers that L. 8. Gant, a young man formerly of Parr, was killed at some place in Illinois a few weeks before Christma?, while engaged as a brakesman on a freight train on the Three I railroad. It was stated a! the time that he was to have been married in a few weeks to Mrs. Olive Spriggs, a young widow of DeMotte, and daughter of extrustee M, F. Sohwadke, of Keener Tp. It appeared that Gant carried fraternal insurance to the amount of $2,000; SI,OOO in Brolherhood of Railroad Trainmen and SI,OOO in the A. O. U. W. both of Minnesota. These policies both named his brother, Marion O. Gant, of Parr, as the beneficiary of the insurance However Mrs- Spriggs, the affianced bride, had possession of the policies and also of a letter from L 8. Gant in which he stated that in case of his death, within two year’s time he desired her to have his insurance money. Neither policy however, had ever been legally assigned to Mrs. Spriggs. M. O. Gant, the beneficiary of record in the policies, demanded possession of the policies from Mrs. Spriggs, which she refused to surrender. Hi then brought suit to secure them by replevin, and this was the case tried this week. The jury decided in favor of Mrs. Spriggs and found that she was properly in possession of the policies. Having the policies however, is not like having the money, as neither of the companies will be willing to pay the money to Mrs. Spriggs while M. O. Gant appears as the lawful beneficiary; nor will they be likely to pay it to Mr Gant while Mrs. Spriggs is lawfully possessed of the policies. Other litigation is therefore cure to follow this preliminary battle