TOPER'S STRANGE WILL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7699, 7 May 1903, Page 2

TOPER'S STRANGE WILL.

_£20,000 BEQUEATHED TO A 'STRANGER.. The family of Jean Durand, an eccentric old inhabitant of Col'ombes, near Paris, who died at the age of sixty, are contesting his will, which disinherits all his relatives and leaves the whole of his fortune, valued a'b over £20,000, to a resident of Nanterre, whom he knew only by sight. The old man had amassed thia sum partly by the sale of vegetables and partly byjudicious loans and speculations. After his death a number of flower pots were dis-< covered under the straw in his stable. They contained gold pieces to the value of £4000. He was fond of rubbing gold coins',,' between his hands. . "; Far trom. being a miser, "Pere " Durand, as he was called, was generous in treating bis friends, and loved to see them drink at his expense. One comrade he sheltered for fifteen days, during which time the pain consumed a barrel of wine — 55 gallons. When in liquor he was joyous company.' One day he his companions to carry him through the streets on a table.' He was also invested with the insignia of a mock order, and- on the,same> day laid thei (foundation-stone of a house at the end of •his garden witih solemn ceremonies. Counsel for his heirs allege that he^did not know what he was doing when he. made his strange will.' The judicial decision will be given shortly. j