Butler v. Alldredge

Ed. F. MoFaddin, Justice.

This is a proceeding instituted by the Administrator, Alldredge, to determine the heirship1 of Minerva Riley Hampton, a Negro woman who died without descendants. There are two claimants: appellant, Willie Butler, who claims as a nephew, and appellee, Ed Riley, who claims as a half brother. The Probate Court held that the claimants should share the estate equally; and Willie Butler has appealed, insisting that he is entitled to the entire estate.

The decision necessarily turns on the marital status of Columbus Riley, the admitted legal father of Minerva and the claimed…