Know all men by these presents

That I James M. Criner of the County of Newton and State of Arkansas being in ill health but of sound and disposing mind and memory do make and publish this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former Wills by me at any time heretofore made.

First I commend my spirit to God who gave it and as to my worldly estate and all the property real and personal or mixed of which I shall die seized or possessed or to which I shall be entitled at the time of my decease. I devise and bequeath and dispose of in the manner following to Wit, all my just debts and funeral expenses shall first by my executor be paid out of my estate as soon after my decease as shall by him be found convenient

I give devise and bequeath to my children of my beloved wife Mary A Criner all my land situated in the County of Newton State of Arkansas described as follows to Wit,

         James M. Criner

North West quarter of the North West quarter South West quarter of the North West quarter of Section two and the North East fractional quarter North half of the North West quarter of Section three E 1/2 North East fractional quarter North East fractional quarter of section four South West quarter of the North West quarter of section three all in Township Fourteen North of Range twenty West. And the South half of the South East quarter North West quarter of the South West quarter of Section thirty four South West quarter of the South West quarter of Section thirty five. And the East half of the South East quarter and the South East quarter of the North East quarter of Section thirty three. All in Township fifteen North of Range twenty West also apart of the South East quarter of the North East quarter (alo) 4715 R2(M)

To have and to hold the same unto the said children of my said beloved wife Mary A Criner and unto their heirs and assigns forever and that each of the said Children shall have forever to sell or dispose of his or her part of said land on arriving at the age of twenty one years.

Further that my beloved wife Mary A Criner shall receive and

         James M. Criner

I hereby give devise and bequeath to my said beloved wife Mary A Criner all my house hold and Kitchen furniture farming utensils One Springfield Wagon Two head of horses. seven head of live cattle fifty head of live hogs (provided) further that the said above mentioned property shall remain the property of my said beloved wife only so long as she shall remain my widow I further devise give and bequeath to my said beloved wife Mary A Criner all the rent issues and (possession) of said land for and during her Married life (That is so long as she remains my widow) (James' parenthesis) provided that each becomes of lawful age twenty one years they may sell or dispose of their said parts of rents or lands and (provided) further that if my beloved wife Mary A Criner should from any (cause) cease to be my widow then in that event all rents issues and possessions and said personal property given and bequeathed to my beloved wife Mary A Criner shall revert to my executors to be divided legally between the said Children of my beloved wife or sold by my executors

         James M. Criner

I give devise and bequeath to my son John M. Criner one house and to my beloved son William M. Criner one house

I give devise and bequeath to my beloved daughter Clera Criner one milk cow and to my beloved daughter Minnie A Criner one milk cow.

Further that my executors set aside the sum of Three hundred dollars for the purpose of paying Taxes on the said land as described in this my last will and testament.

I direct that after reservation of the personal property herein specified that the remainder be sold by my executors at private sale a manner as shall be decerned by him best and my executor is directed to collect all my notes and debts that are due me and that after all my just debts and lawful demands on (land that the remainder) be distributed among my heirs in the manner in which would (descend?) at law.

         James M. Criner

I direct that my executors during administrations of my estate shall deposit in some safe Bank or other safe security such money belonging to my estate as shall not be necessary to carry on the legitimate business of my estate

And lastly I do nominate and appoint my esteemed friend and Brother William T Criner to be the executor of this my last Will and testament and in case of his refusal or failure to qualify I do nominate and appoint my esteemed friend (D) J Heffly to be the executor of this my last will and testament.

In testimony wherein I the said James M Criner swear to this my last Will and testament contained on five pages of legal leaf paper to each page I subscribed my name and to the last page I have subscribed my name and affixed my sine on this the 17th day of February 1904.

                    James M. Criner (Seal)

Signed sealed and published and declared by the said James M Criner as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses there to

                    J C Blackwood (Seal) 
                              J W Strong (Seal)

                    J T Carlton  Clerk

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