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Show LEGAL BATTLE FOR MILLIONS BEGUN ST SflLEi Rich Recluse Was Woman Hater Is Statement Given In Court SALIvM. Mass. Oct. 13. The legal l battle for the millions of Hdward P Searles, the recluse millionaire of Methuen and New York, who died r-I r-I cently, was opened in the probate court ! here today. It was indicated the al-I al-I tempt by Victor Albert Searles, a I Boston artist who was a nephew of the testator, would be based on a con- tentlon that the aged millionaire was not fit physically or mentally at the time thet will was drawn to understand or to make such an intricate instrument instru-ment as that offered for probate MILLIONS IN ESI VI t By this will, Arthur T Walker of New York, a clerk, was made residuary resi-duary legatee of lh. estate which is estimated at between $30,000,000 and $50,000,000 and tho nephew was left $250,000 Victor Albert Searles has already forfeited this legacy as it was I stipulated in the will thai should he contest the instrument the legacy would go to the University of California Sherman Whipple, of Boron, counsel coun-sel for the nephew, told the court that the will was a part of a ounnlngl) designed plan. Ho said Ultimate friends were excluded from the Searles home within two days of the I making of this instrument on the ground that he was too ill to sc-e an- body. "Mr. Searles was a recluse," he added. add-ed. "He was especially shy with women wo-men and was what might be called a j woman hater He Bpbke dlsTeSpect- i fully of women, not wanting them to j be around him at all. " One of the phyali lans who attended Searles n l'Jiy has Raid th f his pi-I pi-I tient was not then In sound mind j Mr. Whipple declared that mother I physlClap ''as described Seatb s as- sometimes man, sometimes a wo- , man, but more often woman than man. I He always wished he was a w oman and I that he could dre like on.- Hjs tastes and interests were those of a woma a." |