Brooklyn Standard Union

20 February 1917
WIFE TO CONTEST HOWELL's WILL
Death-Bed Document Gave Her $5,000 - Prior Will Makes Her Chief Beneficiary
    Will the alleged death-bed will of Henry R. HOWELL, the publisher, 
in which he arraigns his wife, Mrs. Jennie D. HOWELL,for alleged 
avaricious conduct, and cuts her off with a $5,000 bequest be accepted 
by a jury as authentic?  This is the question which Mrs. HOWELL is 
willing to face, for she has begun suit in the Surrogate's Court, 
asking the probate of a prior will, dated April 17. 1915, in which 
she is named as residuary legatee.
    Under the terms of the instrument dated December 27, 1916, the 
day that Mr. HOWELL died at the Bay Ridge Sanitarium, Mrs. HOWELL 
forfeits her right to any share in the estate if she begins contest. 
She has chosen however, to risk losing the $5,000 bequest, rather than 
bear the stigma of the attack on her contained in the alleged will.
    HOWELL was publisher of the American Hairdresser and lived at 
786 East Second street. The petition filed with the alleged will, 
which is to be contested in April recites an estate of about $1,000 
real estate and "upward of $5,000" personally. The instrument directs 
that, after the distribution of several minor bequests, the bulk of the 
property shall go to a son, Henry Russell HOWELL Jr.  It provides that 
the wife shall have no share in the administration of the estate.
    The instrument dated April 1, 1915, since offered for probate, 
provides that $5,000 shall be invested for the benefit of the son,
and the residue of the estate, after the payment or several small bequests, 
shall go to Mrs. Howell, who is named as an executrix. 


Transcriber
Mary Ellen Waltz
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