balance of Millar's estate was to be converted to cash ten years after his death and given to the Toronto woman who gave birth to the most children in that time. In the event of a tie, the bequest would be divided equally. The resulting contest became known as the Great Stork Derby. The Supreme Court of Canada validated the will; Millar had prepared it with care. The will survived ten years of litigation, including attempts by Millar's distant relatives to have it declared invalid, and the Derby continued uninterrupted. Because of Millar's long-term investments, particularly one of land adjacent to the Detroit–Windsor Tunnel that turned a $2 investment into over $100,000, his estate increased drastically during the ten years, and was worth $568,106 when it was finally liquidated. Its value was enhanced as it accumulated during a deflationary economic period. Most of this prize was shared by four Toronto women who each had nine children, receiving $110,000 each, although three of the four had to pay back to the City of Toronto relief money they had collected. The estate also paid $12,500 each to two women with dubious claims to a share in the prize so as to end litigation. The contest inspired a Canadian made-for-television movie, The Stork Derby, which starred Megan Follows. It was speculated that Millar prepared this clause in his will to discourage indiscriminate births and discredit prohibitions against birth control. References Notes Bibliography Further reading Wilton, Elizabeth (1994). Bearing the Burden: The Great Toronto Stork Derby, 1926–1938. (Ottawa) National Library of Canada. . External links Charles Vance Millar's will "The Toronto 'Stork Derby' Baby Race" at Snopes 1853 births 1926 deaths Lawyers in Ontario Canadian racehorse owners and breeders History of British Columbia Cariboo people Wills and testaments by person Practical jokes Owners of King's Plate winners