Saskatchewan farmer's famous will celebrated

Thursday, January 2, 2014

One of the most unusual wills in history was written by a Saskatchewan farmer 65 years ago, etched into the fender of a tractor.

Cecil George Harris was trapped under the tractor for 10 hours and used a pocketknife to scratch the words "In case I die in this mess, I leave all to the wife." He was eventually freed and taken to hospital where he died of his injuries.

The Canadian Press reports that in October, the University of Saskatchewan College of Law celebrated the 65th anniversary of the will, which has become known throughout the world.

"This was one which was written under extraordinary circumstances on an extraordinary medium," said Calgary lawyer Geoff Ellwand, who wrote an article about the will for The Lawyers Weekly.  

The fender has been on display in the law library at the University of Saskatchewan for many years. BF