The Will Is Forged

The Will Is Forged

Mail Carrier W. J. Miller has received a dispatch conveying the intelligence of the winning of a big will case which makes an aunt, Mrs. Chris W. Miller, of Dexter, a wealthy woman. There are many romantic features in the case. Mrs. Miller's maiden name was Allport and she had a half brother, John Allport, who went west when 16 years old and accumulated much mining property. The last time she saw him was when she was married, when he made her a present of $500. In the fall of 1896 he died but his brother and sisters did not hear of it until about a year afterwards. He left three sisters and one brother living and one sister who had been survived by a daughter. The three sisters are: Mrs. J. M. Farleigb, of Chicago, forelady in Mandel Bros. ; Mrs. C. W. Miller, of Dexter, and Mrs. Caroline Kelly, of Butte, Mout. The brother is Devincey Allport, who lives near Howell. When the family heard of his death they sent Mr. Farleigh out to Montana to investigate and they found that the estate had been settled up and Mrs. Caroline Kelly, who represented that she was the only living heir, was in possession of all the property, that she had gold a number of lots and had taken the money in the banks. On application of the heirs the estate was reopened and Mrs. Kelly was prosecuted for perjury, the jury disagreeing.

Some time afterward, Mrs. Kelly 's lawyer produced a will, abadly torn, worn and dirty document, which he said had been sent him from California by a man who was on his way to Alaska. This left all the property to Mrs. Kelly. The other heirs denounced the will as a forgery and the case has just been tried resulting in a victory for the heirs.

John Allport was an old bachelor. He lived all alone in a miner's hut. He was generous to the poor and highly esteemed. His property is thought to be worth several millions. He owned a quarter interest in the Minnie Healey mine which turned out a million and a quarter of dollars last year and had five mines of his own. He was one of the seven men who discovered Yellowstone Park. They were captured by the Indians and one of the party was scalped. The other six managed to escape from their captors.

Mrs. Kelly, the sister who laid claim to all the property, formerly lived in Dexter, when she was married to a Mr. Brass from whom she was afterward divorced.