I, W. F. Shelton, being of sound mind and deposing memory do make and publish this my last will and testament, hereby revoking and all wills by me any former time made.

1. I direct that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid.

2. I will and bequeath to my beloved wife, Etta Lou Shelton, all my personal property of every nature wherever situated that I may die seized and possessed of, to be hers absolutely,

3. I will and devise to my beloved wife, Etta Lou Shelton, for and during her natural life, all my real estate, same being my home place in the old 6th district of Marion, County, Tennessee, where I now live, and a one-half interest (D. C. Shelton owning the other half) in about 300 acres of land on top of Walden's Ridge in the same district as the home place; but should my wife die before my youngest child arrives of age, then the title to said land will vest in my executor as trustee, who shall control said land and use the profits therefrom for the support and education maintenance of such of my children as may be minors, the trust to fall in upon the youngest child arriving at the age of 21 years.

4. In connection with my indebtedness, I direct that my executor shall have power to sell and convey in fee the said interest in said 300 acres of mountain land, if in his discretion he deems it necessary to pay my debts, and he is also given full power to mortgage the home place if he deems necessary to carry the indebtedness it is now charged with, but not to make any new indebtedness. The gifts contained in section three above are subservient to the provisions of this section.

5. Upon the death of said wife or upon the falling in of the trust above created whichever may last occur, I direct that my said land-- both home place and mountain land unless the mountain land is sold under the power above give, then the home place, shall be vested in fee in my eight children, Nick Shelton, Mark Shelton, Elizabeth Condra, Sadie Shelton, Eudora Shelton, Carah Shelton, Earl Shelton and William T. Shelton, share and share alike; provided that should any of said children contribute to pay any indebtedness or contribute to permanent improvements on said land, then such child or children so contributing shall be to the extent of this contribution prefered [sic] over the others and the amount of the contributions shall a charge against said land. My executor shall keep account of said contributions and his decision in this connection shall be final and binding on all my said children.

I hereby name and appoint my brother, Dr. D. C. Shelton, my sole executor of this my last will and testament and I direct that he be excused from making bond.

Signed at my home in the 5th district of Marion County, Tennessee on this September 18, 1923.

W. F. Shelton


We, the undersigned, at the request of said W. F. Shelton, sign our named [sic] hereto as attesting witnesses, the said testator having stated that he signed the paper as and for his last will and testament, and he did sign same in our sight and presence, all on the day and date above written.

B. F. Bryson.
L. R. Darr.