The Son-in-Law from Hell

Robert Brown, an old man of nearly 80, began suits in the superior court Monday against his son-in-law, Robert Abrams, to recover $975 which he alleges the latter extorted from him by threats and false representations. Prior to May 1892, the plaintiff was the owner of a farm in Island county, known as the Jacob Smith donation claim, containing 110 acres and valued at about $13,000. Brown alleges that Abrams, his son-in-law, bought the rights to the property after it was sold under execution and represented that he was acting solely for the father's benefit and without charge. However, when Brown tried to redeem the property, Abrams demanded $2,401.72, including a claim of $188 for 'services.' When the old man protested that the demand was robbery, he alleges he was violently assaulted by his manager, who dragged him across the floor and threw him out of doors on a rainy night in April. Brown now seeks to recover the funds he paid under protest to save his land, alleging that Abrams sabotaged his efforts to secure outside loans by claiming the old man was incompetent to manage his own affairs.