The Legacy of Sherman Jolowsky: A Tale of Family, Greed, and Truth

                                    Unveiling Hidden Secrets After 45 Years

The summer of 1980 marked a significant and sorrowful moment in my life. My father, Sherman Jolowsky, passed away, leaving behind a legacy intertwined with memories, aspirations, and a family business that many presumed I would inherit. However, the reality of what transpired defied expectations, revealing a story steeped in family greed and the eventual unearthing of long-hidden truths.

Sherman Jolowsky was a man of vision and integrity. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to build a business that was not only successful but also a testament to his hard work and dedication. Growing up, Charlie always admired his work ethic and the respect he garnered from both family and community. Naturally, it was assumed that I would follow in his footsteps, inheriting the business and continuing his legacy.

However, following his death, a series of unexpected events unfolded. Many questioned my apparent lack of interest in assuming control of the family business, but the truth was far more complex. Petter Mulvahill, a trusted attorney, was hired by my Sherman to draft a will that ensure his wishes were honored. Sherman spent thousands of dollars on legal fees to safeguard his intentions and protect our family's future.

Despite these efforts, family greed overshadowed my father's meticulous planning. Relatives who once shared in the joys of our family's successes now succumbed to the allure of wealth and power.

                                                      My Journey Through Family and Legal Turmoil

From Youthful Duties to Unforeseen Consequences

At the time of my father's death, Charles was living at Perch Lake, diligently working for my father's business, Hibbing Salvage & Supply Co. since I was 13 years old. This was a commitment that required my presence every day after school and on weekends, as per my father's instructions. Meanwhile, my sister Francine resided at the family home in Hibbing, and my brother Howard was in Reno, Nevada. Our mother, Ruth, also lived in Hibbing.

Two years after my father's passing, while I was still working at HS&S, Allen Jolowsky called me into his office. He abruptly informed me that my employment there was terminated. Confused, I mentioned my share in the company, only for Allen to dismiss it, stating that it was no longer valid. Seeking clarity, I contacted Peter Mulvahill, only to be redirected to speak with Allen. In turn, Allen sent me back to my mother, who insisted on speaking to Allen.

It was at this point that I discovered probate court proceedings had concluded uncontested. Three letters, purportedly sent by Peter Mulvahill, were addressed to the home in Greenhaven where my mother lived, despite my address being at Side Lake and Howard's Rino Nevad as well. Curiously, Francine, who lived at the Greenhaven address, did not receive a letter either. Consequently, none of us were properly informed of the probate process.  Remember, I was at HS&S and no one said anything about probate.  Big secret and under the table like.

Upon realizing this gross miscommunication, I sought legal advice. The lawyer suggested we could contest the matter, but posed a crucial question: did I want to spend my life embroiled in family conflicts? Instead, they proposed a trust fund solution. A sum of $279,000.00 would be placed in a trust, managed until my retirement, ensuring a secure future. The trust was initially controlled by Allen Jolowsky, appointed by my mother, until the end of probate, after which the responsibility would be transferred to my mother Ruth.

This arrangement, however, led to further discontent. My girl friend plus 2 kids and I were evicted from our cabin, left without a job, and faced with persistent questions of why and how this situation unraveled.

Reflecting upon these events, I am left grappling with the complexities of familial obligations, legal proceedings, and the overarching question of trust and betrayal within one's own family. The path ahead remains uncertain, yet the lessons learned are etched deeply within my experience.

                                     The Enigma of the Will: Unanswered Questions and Legal Concerns

The legitimacy of a will can often became a contentious issue, particularly when discrepancies and irregularities arise during the probate process. This document aims to explore the perplexing situation surrounding a contentious will, highlighting key questions and concerns that have emerged.

                                  Questions Surrounding the Will's Authorship

The authorship of the will in question has been a matter of significant debate. Three city attorneys have raised the critical question: "Who really wrote the will?" This question was prompted by a series of inconsistencies and dubious circumstances that have come to light.

Efforts were made to obtain copies of the will from the St. Louis County Court, which were submitted during probate. However, further inquiries revealed startling information that cast doubt on the document's authenticity.

                                          Involvement of Peter Molvahill

One particular point of contention is the role of Peter Molvahill, an attorney whose name is associated with the will. When asked if Peter Molvahill was a first-year attorney in college, it was clarified that he is, in fact, an experienced lawyer. Despite his years of practice, the will attributed to him was found to be poorly written.

When confronted about the substandard quality of the document, Peter Molvahill vehemently denied any involvement. He advised that inquiries be directed to "Uncle Allen," despite the presence of Molvahill's business letterhead and signature on the will.

                                Suspicious Alterations and Court Anomalies

The will in question was notably long, and it was discovered that certain sheets had been removed, replaced, and subsequently resubmitted. This kind of tampering was evident to any knowledgeable attorney, yet it went unnoticed or unaddressed by others involved.

Moreover, the St. Louis County Court itself found the situation peculiar. A court official remarked, "This is weird," when discussing the case. The strangeness extended to the fact that the judge's notebook—a crucial record for every case—was inexplicably missing. This absence further deepened the mystery and raised suspicions about potential foul play.

                                                           Conclusion

The series of events surrounding this will has left many questions unanswered and numerous concerns unaddressed. The involvement of multiple parties, the inexplicable alterations, and the missing judge's notebook all contribute to an air of uncertainty and suspicion. As the search for truth continues, it remains to be seen what further revelations will emerge and how they will impact the resolution of this contentious matter.

1980 Sherman passed away. Two years later, after Probate was complete, Charles was ousted. Ruth moved to Arizona, married her second husband, and sold off all assets. The situation became problematic after she acquired a $1,000,000.00 house and mentioned it publicly. I inquired about the source of funds Ruthe used for the purchase, and Charles contacted the trustees regarding the depletion of trust funds. The Duluth trustees expressed their concern and informed us that your mother is relocating all assets to Arizona. They highlighted that Arizona laws do not interact with any beneficiaries named in the trust, but only with the appointed trustee. The Arizona bank trust manager warned of potential federal charges to Charles for threatening a banker and raised further concerns, stating that no actions could be taken without significant financial resources to contest the trust's intentions of depleting the account.   Banker would not answer his phone; Charles was fed up with all the trustees and threatened to kick their butt.   Wrong thing to say to a banker.  They are federally protected. Banker used this to keep Charles from inquiring any information on the trust from this point.

Back in 1982, Charles requested trust funds for school but was denied. Forced to work various jobs, he eventually enrolled in Hibbing Community College for Computer Aided Drafting & Design. Relying on IRRRB funding, he also worked part-time driving a video delivery bus renting VHS movies. 

Then, Charles gets ill with a sinus infection which causes cluster migraines.  Months went by and Ruth flew Charles to Arizona to see a doctor after doctors in Hibbing could not help.       The doctor in Arizona gave Charles a prescription and it cleared up in 3 days.   Time to get back to college.   After graduating with good grades, Charles asked again to go on to Mechanical Engineering College.  With a written letter to the trustees, a flat out no, even after Charles provided good grades and was serious about college. Ruthe kept on telling the Bank trustees I was not smart enough and would be a waste of money.  Now remember Charles went to Arizona for medical attention.  Ruth was driving Charles to the airport so Charles could return to college. Ruthe was driving in the 4th lane to the left. The right lane was to the airport.  Too much traffic Ruthe can’t get over 4 lanes to turn right.  Ruthe stops on the highway with her blinker to go right.  Traffic is whizzing at 65 mph.  Charles yelling don’t stop here!  Cars are hitting their brakes hard. Ruthe takes off to the right going 4 lanes to take that right turn to the airport.  Holy crap, we didn’t get hit.  Scared out of Charles’ mind and shaking. Charles says you can’t do that!  Ruthe says Charles, I had my blinker on, they must let me in.  OMG! Ok, driving into the airport.  Arrivals went right; departures go left further down the road.  Charles asked, “Where are you going.  Ruthe; to drop you off.  Charles: Departures is ¼ of a mile down the road.  Ruthe responds I’m dropping you off at the arrival lane. Charles: That’s a long way to Departures and you must go that way to go home anyways.  Ruthe yells at Charles, you need to go back to school and really study.  Charles responds, Departure is I’m flying out to go home.  Ruthe responds with really! 

We are arriving at the airport dumb shit!  At that point Charles gets out and walks to the departure area and flies home.   This kind of thinking was normal for Ruthe and don’t argue, you can’t win. 

                During this last stay.  Ruthe and her new husband tell Charles they are taking me out to their new investment they made at a Barbecue Rib Restaurant they bought into.   Wow I thought!  What a great place to eat.  Don & Charlies in Scottsdale Arizona.  Finding out a year later that it was a lie.  Ruthe and her husband invented a Barbecue Rib Restaurant, but it never opened.  $500,000.00 in a Restaurant that never opened their doors.  The group took the money and ran.  Charles told friends and their family to check out Don & Charlies.   They did and no one knew what they were talking about.   Charles was very scared and thinking these people were controlling our trust funds.  My heart just sank. 

                I didn’t talk to my mother after many other events.  Everyone was always saying how wonderful Ruthe is.  Too bad I didn’t see any of it growing up except conflict and arguments.   It was always fun with dad at Perch Lake and Sunday’s dad was cooking dinner.

Why do I think Allen pushed me out.  Working at Hibbing Salvage & Supply was always fun until 1976 late summer.  The day Sherman was in the Hospital and Allen was acting boss.  Gave me the Invoice aluminum case to fill out after I picked up a load at Butler Tac. I don’t know why Allen handed me the aluminum case, because he told me not to sign out for the load but weigh it and bring the slip back with the weight of the load.  Charles jumped into the new flatbed GMC and headed out.  I am 17 years old and love to drive trucks. I arrived at Butler Tac. and was told to wait for some guys that were on the way to load me up with a load of shovel cables Allen said.  After waiting for 45 minutes, here comes the Electrical Engineer foreman with another guy following in a picker with a boom. Truck no. 4441 lic. YR15534 Hanna truck. They direct me over to load.  Foreman was hooking the chains, and it would fall off.  Hooked it again and it fell off again.  Finally, it got loaded but it was way back on the truck making my truck’s front wheels co me off the ground.  I told them to move the copper forward.  Electrical foreman said no, you’re a big boy drive the fucken truck.  I start forward and the wheels come off the ground.  I had to go to the bathroom, so I stopped at the service truck garage at Butler Tac.  I got back into the truck and my girl friends’ father jumped through the window and scared me and we were laughing hard.  Bobby was the guard at that time.  Hey Charlie Bob says, give me a ride to the guard shack.  I said for sure. Bob asked, “Do you have your paperwork?  You know you must sign out.  I filled in the paperwork completely forgetting  Allen said don’t sign out.   What did I do?  I signed out!  Bouncing all the way back to HS&S and weighing the load.  Holly crap, I was way overloaded with shovel cable. Number one copper!  Hand the paperwork to Allen and then it starts the end of my world of enjoying work.  What the fuck did I tell you to do Allen screaming at Charles.  Don’t sign out, you fucken idiot, Allen yelling.  I was told to always sign every load out.  I forgot.  At that point I was shaking with nerves, and I didn’t really understand till 3 days later.   In the Hibbing Tribune, tons of copper were stolen from National Steel.  Hmm!   Wait, the guys that came to Butlers to load me was the Foreman from National Steel and that’s why it took so long to get to me to load me up.   One thing my father told me, if I ever stole anything, he would kick my ass big time.  I was really scared because my girlfriend’s father knew I had taken it, he was the guard that I gave a ride to the guard shack.  Later that day my dog got sick, and I brought my dog to Doctor Farnham Vet.  Doc Farnham asked me if I was ok.  You’re not your happy self, Farnham said to Charles?  Close to tears Charles told doc what happened.  Then, later Doc called Allen.  Now I’m really in trouble at work.  No way out.  Bobby catches me on the way to Kelly Lake.  Bob said what the fuck Chuck, you could have got be fired and I need this job.  I said I didn’t know I was taking it Charles explained to Bob.  Later the next week, my girlfriend breaks it off.  Heartbroken and ready to snap, Charles fell into a deep depression, and no one understood what I was going through.  High speed chase for what, I still don’t know what caused that.  Well, it took the cops hours to catch me. Being yanked out of my car by my long hair was only the worst of it.  I thought they were going to kick my ass big time and should of.  From that point on, it was hell at work. 

Years after graduating college, I came out of Homers Bar and Bobby was walking out of Short Stop across the street where my car was parked.  I talked to Bob for a while and Bobby kept apologizing for what happened.  I asked why he was apologizing; it had nothing to do with him what happened to me.  Finding out, days later Bob went home and blew his head off with a 45 mag.  I didn’t realize Bob was in a depressed state.

But this is why Allen Jolowsky wanted me out of the company, but this went way too far.  Changing my farther Will.  I lost everything + my retirement funds.