Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1942 [PAGE 906]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

1942]

U N I V E R S I T Y OF I L L I N O I S

903

Mrs. Wright's will, which was a part of their mutual desires for a program which would create the H a r r y G. Wright and Harriette A. Wright Endowment Fund for the University of Illinois, was executed on April 13, 1939. On April 17, 1940, Sen. Wright died and his will was presented for probate on April 27 of that year. On May 2, 1940, Mrs. Wright made a new will and on May 28, 1940, the court named Mr. Paul T. W r i g h t conservator for the person and property of Mrs. Wright on the ground of her incompetency. Subsequent to Sen. Wright's death and prior to the appointment of this conservator, Mrs. Wright executed three powers of attorney and each time revoked the one previously given. On May 21, 1040, Sen. Wright's will was admitted to probate and on May 28, 1940, Mrs. Wright filed her renunciation under the will of Sen. Wright. On October 30, 1940, suit was filed by the then Attorney General in behalf of the University of Illinois to establish the fact of mutual wills and to set aside the renunciation of Mrs. Wright. In this litigation, I was asked by the then Attorney General to represent the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois in signing all necessary papers to bring about this legal action. On February 27, 1941, Mrs. Wright died. On May 3 of that year, her new will was offered for probate and six months later the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, being completely in the dark as to what was taking place in this litigation, appointed the above subcommittee of the Board of Trustees to confer with the Attorney General. We have been advised, not from official sources however, that there are two claims that have been filed in the probate court by Paul T. Wright—one as administrator de bonis non with will annexed of the estate of Rachel Q. Wright in the amount of $11,958.38 and the second by Paul T. Wright as conservator of estate of H a r r y G. Wright in the amount of $88,586.04, making Mr, Paul T. Wright's claims in the amount of $100,544.42. Since the will of H a r r y G. W r i g h t and the will of Harriette A. Wright of April 13, 1939, set forth the purpose of bequeathing the rest, residue, and remainder of the estate of whatsoever kind or character and wheresoever situated to the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois at Urbana, Illinois, the same to become the absolute property of the said University of Illinois, to be known as the H a r r y G. Wright and Harriette A. Wright Endowment Fund to be administered by the College of Agriculture of said University in so far as practicable in the judgment of the Board of Trustees of the University, the entire matter is one of great importance to our Board of Trustees. I understand that there are approximately 1800 acres of good farm land in northern Illinois involved in this litigation and that there is also a sizeable personal estate which would become a part of this Endowment Fund. I have been advised that students who would be eligible to be beneficiaries under this Endowment Fund have made inquiry as to why the University had not carried out the intentions of Senator Wright. Since this matter has been pending in the circuit court since October 30, 1940, the University is not informed as to the status of the matter, and since the sub-committee of the Board has been unable to obtain an audience with the Attorney General, I am definite in this opinion that, as a member of this Board, I wish to be relieved of any responsibility or duties as a member of this sub-committee. I in no way wish to eliminate myself from my responsibilities as a member of the Board of Trustees in this or in other m a t t e r s ; but since this sub-committee has been unable to accomplish its objectives, I see no alternative but to ask to be excused from continued membership thereon, I would appreciate your presenting this letter for the minutes of our next meeting of the Board of Trustees. Very truly yours,

H. M. ADAMS

Trustee

After full discussion, Mr. Cleary offered a motion that vouchers continue to be drawn and certified for the payment of the salaries of