Finding the Will for Will Was Great, But Frozen to Death, Not So!

Two wonderful pieces of information provided the documentation I needed to tie-up my research for William "Will" Scramlin, my 2nd cousin 3x removed. Both of these resources were free.

I last found him in the 1900 census in Harmon, Roberts, South Dakota, then the trail ran cold. That was until I searched for Will Scramlin in FamilySearch.org. Their were seven hits for William Scramlin, so it didn't take long to go through the file, but one, the Saskatchewan, Probate Estate Files, 1887-1931 Weyburn 1918 had 32 pages of legal documents, including the will and probate records for him! Apparently, he and his family were living in Weyburn, Saskatchewan, Canada. It was pure luck that these documents were scanned and put online, I would never have found them, and why would I ever think Saskatchewan.

A few days later, while still researching him, more information came to light, when I used Google News and found the newspaper, The MorningLeader - Jan 28, 1918.  The headline was HALBRITE MAN FOUND FROZEN AT MANKATO, MINN. (See below the will.)

I, Will Scramlin, of the Village of Halbrite, in the

Province of Saskatchewan “Real Estate Agent”, being of

Sound and disposing mind and memory, do hereby revoke

All former Wills or testamentary dispositions by me at

Any time heretofore made; and do make, publish and de-

clare this as my last Will and Testament.

1^st. I hereby nominate and appoint my wife, Kate

Scramlin, the Executrix of this my last will.

2^nd. I direct that all my just debts, funeral and

Testamentary expenses be paid.

3^rd. I give, devise and bequeath all my real and per-

Sonal estate which I may now or hereafter be possessed

Of or interested in to my wife, Kate Scramlin, absolutely.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, this

12^th day of November in the year of our Lord, One thousand

Nine hundred and fourteen.

SIGNED by the Testator, as and for

His Last Will and Testament, in the

Presence of us, both present at the        Will Scramlin

Same time, who, at his request and

In his presence, have hereunto sub-

scribed our names as witnesses.

T. A. Oakley

of Halbrite, Sask.

J. A. Kjeldson

of Halbrite, Sask.

____________________________
HALBRITE MAN

FOUND FROZEN AT

MANKATO, MINN.

Was Well Known in Weyburn

District and Good

Colonizer

MANKATO, Minn. Jan. 26.—The

Body of William Scramlin, said to be

a wealthy land man of Weyburn, Sask.,

was found frozen stiff near the city

hall today. His skull was fractured

and his face smeared with blood

Whether he was struck by some one

or fell against the  building on the icy

Sidewalk the police have been unable

To determine.

Scramlin and his wife came here

Thursday night to visit relatives and

bid farewell to their son who enlisted

In the aviation service. Scramlin was

Fifty years old. A wife and four chil-

dren survive.

The Morning Leader - Jan 28, 1918 (page 10)