A DEAD MAN MADE TO SIGN HIS WILL.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 649, 23 April 1870, Page 2

A DEAD MAN MADE TO SIGN HIS WILL.

(From the St Louis Republican.)

An interesting will case, which has been pending in the courts in Franklin County for years past, rivals in its nature anything of the sort possibly ever heard of in the history of the present age. The circumstances, as gathered from one of the attorneys engaged for the defence (outside of the courtroom), are as follows: Some years ago there lived in the town of Washington an old bachelor, who possessed a considerable amount of property, and had no relatives save one, who, it is said, was needy. The bachelor was taken quite ill, and was advised to make his will, which he did, bequeathing all his estate to the children of a friend. The news became generally known in the town of the manner in which the testator had disposed of his property, leaving out any consideration to his relative. While the man still lingered on his bed of sickness, it was made up among some of the friends of the relatire that three of them should visit the sick man and advise bim to make a second will, with provisions for the relief of the kinsman. Consent being given, the parties who, it is said, were all in liquor, and who had no personal interest in the matter, save the good feeling they entertained for the neglected friend, appointed one of their number to write. The table was drawn up close to the bedside of the sick man who, as well as he could, dictated the nature of his bequest. Befor the conclusion and signing of the will the man died. One of the party remarked to the scribe " that it was useless to go on, as the man was dead." However, after its conclusion, the dead man was lifted up in a sitting posture and held, the pen was placed between his fingers and made to trace his name, after which the question was asked," Do you acknowledge this to be your signature and last will ?" &c. The dead man, by the aid of those who held bim up, nodded assent. The body was then quietly laid down, and the individuals signed their respective names as witnesses to the instrument. The trio who witnessed the will are now all dead, and the seeming trouble now is the proper construction of the will, which, under the iniluence of an intoxicated brain, the scribe somewhat blended in meaning.