Accounts Did Not Correspond

The Case of the Sir John Reade Heirs

Amusing Incidents 

They Took Place at Hearing of the Cause in Probate Court Friday

A case, which developed some rather amusing features, was on hearing before Judge Watkins in the probate court Friday, in which M.J. Cavanaugh, the lawyer, represented certain heirs of the late Sir John Compton Reade, of London, England, while Attorney Herbst was present for George W. Merrill, who was appointed guardian of the grandchildren of the deceased on March 17, 1896.

An effort is being made by Attorney Cavanaugh to have the guardian give a proper accounting of the monies that have come into his possession, the value of the property left the children represented by Mr. Cavanaugh being somewhat over $10,000.

When the case came on Mr. Cavanaugh offered in evidence the fourth annual account of the guardian, which had been filed May 22, 1892, and which showed $9,273.02 in the guardian's possession. Cavanaugh had previously filed objections to this account and asked for a recasting. When the recasted account was shown in court today Cavanaugh pointed out that it had increased over $250.90 over the previous account, or in other words the account offered today was $250.90 greater than that offered in 1892. This caused some amusement among the audience in the court room and as it seemed that considerable work would have to be done to get at the reason for this peculiar increase, Judge Watkins suggested that adjournment might better be had.

"I am willing," laughingly replied Attorney Cavanaugh. "If this estate increases at the rate that this account filed today would have us believe, I have no objections to as many adjournments are as desired."

The next amusing scene came when Cavanaugh went after Herbst and wanted to know if the latter had changed some figures on the account since he came into the courtroom.

"I did," relied the attorney for the guardian, "with the consent of the judge," and he looked apologetically at Cavanaugh.

There were other incidents of this kind which gave the hearing a decidedly humorous phase, especially when Attorney Herbst insisted that there was an original inventory of the estate filed and was unable to find it. He declared, however, that it would be forthcoming.

The heirs represented by Mr. Cavanaugh are Mabel and Dora Reade.

In the hearing of the case in the pro-probate court Friday which was brought for the purpose of having the guardian of the heirs of the late Sir John Compton Reade give an accounting of the estate entrusted to him, it developed that when he was appointed guardian a 40-acre farm and $10,685 was the property which he was given control of in the interests of Mabel and Dora Reade the beneficiaries under the will.

Attorney H.H. Herbst, representing George W. Merrill, the guardian, says that besides the farm which is in Mr. Merrill's hands in an improved condition, he had $9,525 in cash on January 1. 1902, Mr, besides piano and furniture and other property which was purchased for the benefit of the girls. The assets in all, in the guardian's hands on January 1, 1902, Mr. Herbst says, were $10,700 beside the farm. This being over and above the amount which the guardian has paid out for the clothing and educating of the two young girls in the past six years.

The difference in the accounting which was filed in 1892 and Friday and which is mentioned above, was brought about through the fact that the money invested by Mr. Merrill for the girls had not earned as large an amount of interest as it was believed it should.