This is Home, Part 46 - Uncle Doc and Daddy were sued

This is part 46 of my mother's book about her life, written in 2004.



Uncle Doc and Daddy were sued

I think I must have been pre-school when this happened.

It was summer, I think, when Uncle Doc came rushing in through the living room doors. He was saying, "I've got it. It is right in here." His voice didn't sound calm like it usually did. Either Uncle Doc or Daddy had been served with a subpoena to appear in court. They were both being sued over the farm.

The spouse of a relative who had died and the children of another relative who had died were suing for part of the farm. My grandfather S.P. Rice had left the farm to Daddy and Uncle Doc and money to all of the other children. They had spent the money and now wanted part of the farm. They intended to break the will.

Uncle Doc took the will out of his lockbox, which was on the mantel by the chimney.

Everyone went to court, but the will held. The relatives were not awarded anything.